When people think of South Korea, several images appear in their minds. Perhaps you are thinking of your favourite K-pop artists, perhaps of ramen and tteokbokki, maybe the skincare with brands like Innisfree or the Hanbok – the traditional clothing of Korea. Clothes, food, languages, and lifestyle are all a part of the cultural significance of Korean culture. In contemporary times, we see a blend of the conventional and the modern to bring out exquisite cultural aspects. Gradually, South Korea has made its way into not just Asian countries but around the globe because of, but not limited to, its film and music industry, popular cuisines, skincare, and clothing industry.
Reviving The Traditional Korean Fashion in Modern Times:
What is Hanbok?
Hanbok is generally traced back to the Goguryeo Kingdom. It was made to provide ample freedom to its wearers in their movements. It is the traditional clothing of the Korean people- both North and South Korea. The term “hanbok” itself means clothes, which are used within the two countries and the larger Korean diaspora. Up until a century ago, before the spread of Western clothes, Hanbok was worn in everyday life by the people. However, even today, it remains a significant part of Korean culture, and people wear it occasionally, like on Holidays. Even K-Dramas show characters wearing Hanbok during special events or while visiting a heritage site.
The traditional hanbok is made up of three parts- chima (the skirt), baji (the trousers), and Jeogori (the jacket). The women wear the Chima while the men wear the Baji. When worn together, the Hanbok has the shape of a bell, with the upper half clinging to the body and the lower half of the Chima/baji being wide and spreading around the body. Based on the Confucian dress code, most people prefer hanbok in primary colours. The tones and shades of hanbok are also very vivid, appearing aesthetically pleasing to the eyes.
There are different types of Hanbok according to gender, age and the seasons. The everyday hanbok also differs from those worn on special occasions.
Historically, different kinds of fabrics have been used to make the Hanbok. At one time, the social hierarchies also defined the kind of fabric used to make the hanbok. Novelty and the upper elites usually wore hanbok made of silk or satin, showing their royalty and societal power. At the same time, cotton was limited to the working class and linked to their humble backgrounds.
Hanbok in the Modern Times-
Today, Hanbok has been experimented by the fashion industry with different fabrics and styles while simultaneously continuing with its cultural heritage. Modern Hanbok offers more versatility and adds a unique charm to the dress.
The designers blend traditional styles like silhouettes and motifs with a modern touch. However, the conventional hanbok can be distinguished from the Modern hanbok because of the distinct silhouette that the traditional clothing carries. The traditional hanbok had a flowing skirt with a tightly fitted jacket, while the modern hanbok had a slimmer and leaner shape to add more practicality to the Hanbok.
Moreover, as we discussed, the traditional hanbok often carried different features for men and women. The modern hanbok mixes the designs and colours and brings hanboks that anyone can wear regardless of gender. The designers use fabrics like linen, silk, and satin to explore a variety of designs and bolder colours are being incorporated with shades like blue, black, or even white.
The hanbok can be tailored according to the needs of the people. Recently, K-pop idols have been using modern hanbok according to their specific styles. Let us look at some of them-
BTS– The famous K-pop boy band has been spotted wearing modern hanbok-inspired outfits. One of the examples was the Idol Music Video, where the group wore outfits that had a traditional touch.
Black Pink– Another famous K-pop band, Blackpink, wears modern hanbok in their Music Video “How You Like That”, and they look stunning.
Kard– The group wore Modern Hanbok, intending to increase the influence and style of Hanbok outside of Korea when they collaborated with Leesle. Leesle is a company that specialises in designing and tailoring aesthetic hanbok.
ITZY– The girl group has been spotted wearing a Hanbok several times for their music videos, dance practices, and events. They looked magnificent with the blend of the traditional aesthetics with modern charm.
Stray Kids– Stray Kids bought a strikingly beautiful look of Hanbok in their promotion of Back Door. The hanbok-inspired clothes brought out the intensity and angst that their act needed.
Conclusion-
These were just some instances where famous K-pop celebrities and personalities wore Hanbok-inspired outfits, blending the modern with the conventional. Giving stunning looks with these clothes, Hanbok had the speciality of mixing in contemporary times, leading to its revival.
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