Hanbok Takes to the Streets

[SOV]
[Interview : ] "There aren't many places where we can hang out while wearing hanbok".

[Interview : ] "We don't dislike wearing hanbok. We just don't have many chances to wear it".

Hanbok, Korea's traditional dress, is making a resurgence! Let's check out how hanbok is being reinvented by Korea's youth!

Some students at this women's university are getting together for a meeting, all wearing hanbok.

[Interview : Lee Shin-yeong, Student Duksung Women's University] "We are planning a hanbok party. We aim at seeing people wearing hanbok on a daily basis, so we wear hanbok even during our meetings".

They are preparing a hanbok party! They call themselves the "hanbok troupe".

[Interview : Kim Tae-hui, Student Duksung Women's University] "Most female students have no opportunities to wear a hanbok. We came up with the Hanbok Party because we thought it would be nice if students could gather at a hanok and have fun together while wearing hanbok".

After the end of the meeting, they head to the streets, wearing their hanbok. Even though hanbok is Korea's traditional, it is very rare to see people wearing it on a daily basis.

[Interview : Lee Min-yeong, Student Duksung Women's University] "Wearing hanbok is actually nice. I thought it would be uncomfortable, but I just ended up walking more carefully".

[Interview : Choi Seong-sil, Student Duksung Women's University] "I don't feel uncomfortable in a hanbok. I'm used to it now after having worn it several times".

Their goal is to make hanbok mainstream, by incorporating it in everyday life activities, like hanging out with friends.

And like them, there are many young people who see the potential of hanbok in modern life.

[Interview : Park Seon-yeong, Student Ewha Womans University] "I really wanted to see how it is to have lots of fun while wearing a hanbok".

This event was born from the desire of a student of seeing people having fun while dressed in hanbok.

[Interview : Kim Tae-hui, Student Duksung Women's University] "We don't avoid wearing hanbok. We just don't have the opportunity to do so".

They are dancing in hanbok! The hanbok flash mob is on.

Although hanbok was considered by many people in their 20s to be uncomfortable and out of fashion, that misconception is changing.

[Interview : Park Seon-yeong, Student Ewha Womans University] "I am very thankful that many people participated.
Through the flash mob, I realized that there are many people who love hanbok".

[SOV]
[Interview : ] "Show your love for hanbok! Hanbok is the best!"

Hanbok is being adapted to fit the taste of the next generation.

This workshop in Seoul is filled with hanbok enthusiasts. They are making their own hanbok.

[Interview : Kim Bong-hui, Homemaker] "I like needlework. I am making my daughter's hanbok for her wedding".

[Interview : An Sang-hui, Homemaker] "I want to wear hanbok everyday. I think it will be great if I go to work wearing a hanbok".

The students of this weekly class have become quite the experts at making hanbok.

[Interview : Kim Ji-yeon, Homemaker] "Clothes that are sewn by hand are comfortable to wear.
Children don't feel uncomfortable even if they wear hanbok for the whole day".

They have moved on from making hanbok for themselves to hanbok for their children.

The children grow to like hanbok thanks to their mothers.

This modernized hanbok aims at making hanbok more mainstream.

[Interview : Kim Bok-hui, Hanbok designer] "A slight modification can make a hanbok wearable for everyday activities. These are called "dongsimgyeol" knots and just one of these can change the overall look".

Aspects thought to be uncomfortable are fixed, and some touches are made to make them look modern. Nowadays, fusion hanboks are growing in popularity.

[Interview : Kim Bok-hui, Hanbok designer] "This particular hanbok has no pleats, just one on the back, and the highlight of this design is the fleece accents. Slightly modifying a hanbok can transform it into beautiful clothes we can wear everyday".

This is a wool fusion hanbok! How about wearing this when going out on a chilly day[Interview : Kim Bok-hui, Hanbok designer] "We can modernize hanbok by experimenting with colors and designs while maintaining the original lines of traditional hanbok.
So many young people these days want to make their own hanbok".

Many people say that they don't wear hanbok because they dislike it, but because they don't have many chances to wear it.

[SOV]
[Interview : ] "Let's love hanbok!"

Hanbok is making a resurgence, as a stylish, comfortable, and unique garment, while still maintaining the essence of Korea's elegance and beauty.

[STUDIO]

Have you wanted to wear a hanbok in normal, everyday life I have seen some expats here do it and while it catches you offguard at first it's actually quite nice to see a variety in what people wear..
I'm going to go look up that flash mob on youtube.
That was quite a surprise.