This past weekend, the ottoKWORLD team headed off to Gyeongbok Palace in downtown Seoul to see the beautiful autumn leaves on the palace grounds. Not only did we visit the palace, but we also got the chance to dress up in gorgeous hanbok! We are a team of young professionals, living, working, and studying in Korea, and we’re going to be bringing you fun content about exploring and living in Korea.
Our first stop was the hanbok rental store at Gyeongbokgung (경복궁) stop on Line 3. Take exit 3-1 out of the station, and once you reach street level, take a left down the alleyway at the exit. The hanbok rental shop, Hanbok Girls, will be on your right. See the map below for the address.
The hanbok rental prices start from 10,000 won for two hours, though for special or more decorative hanbok, they charge 20,000 won for two hours. You can also rent the hanbok for four hours, or for the whole day. You can check their website, linked above, for further pricing. They do have some hanbok for curvier women, though they will charge the “special hanbok” price of 20,000 won.
The rental includes the use of the inner, hooped skirt, a purse, and hair-bands, and hair-ties. The shop assistants help you put on the hanbok correctly, and adjust all the ties that go with the clothing. They will also help you choose a hairband or hair tie, called a daenggi (댕기), and will also help you put it on correctly. We all wore these embroidered hair ties and they really completed the look! They also have men’s hanbok for rental. There were quite a few cute couples out in hanbok taking pictures. Around each of the palaces in Seoul there are many, many shops where you can rent a hanbok, this is just the one we have used a few times. Prices and sizing vary from shop to shop as well.
After we were all dressed up in our beautiful hanbok, we made our way to Gyeongbok Palace, just a short distance away from the shop. One of the really fun things about dressing up in hanbok is that you will be surrounded by many other Koreans and tourists from around the world who are also dressed up in hanbok as they take pictures and stroll the palaces.
In the past few years, many young Koreans dress up in hanbok and walk around the palaces, or along the Cheonggyechon (a beautiful stream area in downtown Seoul). When I’ve discussed why there has been a renewed interest in young people wearing hanbok for less formal occasions, my students, who are young adults at university, have said that they enjoy taking pride in their culture and Korean traditional clothing, and that this is a way to celebrate hanbok and hanbok wearing. It’s a popular activity to do with friends or as a date, and if you are in Seoul, you might see young Koreans taking photos in their hanbok. Many Koreans have also expressed how happy it makes them to see foreigners dressed up in hanbok and enjoying Korean culture. We also found, that many people liked to take photos of us dressed in hanbok (both Koreans and tourists).
Gyeongbok Palace is the largest palace in Seoul, and was originally built in 1395 (with some rebuilding and restoration at later dates). The entrance to the palace, is Gwanghwamun (광화문), and is often shown in depictions or videos of Seoul (and heavily featured in the Korean drama Queen In-hyun’s Man). If you are wearing hanbok, you can enter the palace grounds for free. Otherwise, tickets cost 3,000 won.
Some of the big draws of the palace are the beautiful lake and pavilion areas, as well as the intricate decorative paintings on pillars and buildings. We only show a small portion of the palace grounds in our video. If you come and visit, we highly recommend you spend lots of time exploring the palace grounds and see for yourself how lovely it is. On the weekends, and at other times, you can also catch Korean folk singing, jultagi (tight-rope walking), and many other talented performances. Another main attraction is the throne room, with the elevated Phoenix Throne. The National Folk Museum of Korea and is also located right next to the palace grounds. If you’re coming to Seoul (or are already in Korea), make sure to stop by and visit Gyeongbok Palace!
One of our favorite parts about renting the hanbok was an excuse to take beautiful pictures! Here are some of our shots from our mini photoshoot. We felt like models!
Remember: Gyeongbokgung Station – Exit 3-1
Have you ever worn a hanbok? Would you like wear one when you visit Seoul? Share your thoughts below!
We’ll be posting more videos soon about our life in Korea! What do you want to see us write about? Please let us know!! We can’t wait to share our lives with you.
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~Rachel
