Whenever I'm traveling, I immerse myself in the destination country's local culture and traditions. This is why renting a hanbok was on my list of things to do in South Korea. Renting a hanbok in South Korea is more than just acquiring traditional attire; it's also a venue to experience the beauty of Korean history and customs firsthand.
If you're planning to rent a hanbok in Seoul, then here's a quick guide.
What is a Hanbok?
Hanbok is the traditional Korean clothing worn by men, women, and children. It is characterized by its vibrant colors and simple, elegant lines. The design of the hanbok has evolved over the centuries, but it has retained its distinct cultural identity.
It consists of several components. For women, two of its basic components include the jeogori, which is the upper garment, and the chima, which is a full, high-waisted, and long-flowing skirt.
Hanbok is commonly worn during traditional Korean celebrations, such as weddings, birthdays, and holidays. While it is less commonly worn in everyday life, there is a growing interest in promoting and preserving hanbok as a symbol of Korean cultural heritage. Modern variations of hanbok have also emerged, combining traditional elements with contemporary styles.
Where to Rent a Hanbok
Hanbok rentals can be found everywhere in South Korea, particularly in touristy areas of popular cities like Seoul. Many of them can be found near the palaces, such as Gyeongbokgung Palace, as renting and wearing a hanbok will give visitors free entry to these attractions.
For my hanbok experience, I went to Hanboknam, which is just a short walk from Gyeongbokgung Palace. Upon booking, you get to choose between traditional and themed hanbok. You also get to choose how long you'll rent the hanbok for, with 1.5 hours being the shortest or you can rent it for a full day as long as you return the hanbok before the shop closes. The cheapest option is renting a traditional hanbok for 1.5 hours which costs only PHP351.
I originally paid online for the traditional hanbok, but on the day itself, I ended up going for a themed hanbok because it was so pretty. I had to pay extra for this "upgrade", but I didn't mind. It wasn't too pricey and it's not everyday that I get to dress up like this.
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| get free entry to the palaces when wearing a hanbok |
What to Expect at a Hanbok Rental
Here's what you can expect when renting a hanbok. First, the rental place would most likely be packed with tourists since it's a popular activity in South Korea, so you can expect the queues to be very long. The second thing to expect is that you'll be very overwhelmed with choices.
While the clothing pieces are organized by size, there are a lot of options to choose from. However, everything won't go well together. For example, you'd see a pretty skirt right away but you'll probably take a long time finding a top that goes well with it. So if you're renting a hanbok, come to the shop early and by early, I mean as soon as it opens so you get first dibs on many items.
It's worth noting that the rental packages don't include accessories, like shoes and bags, so you'll have to pay extra if you want them. Or you can just get a skirt that's long enough so that your shoes will be hidden.
Once you've selected a top and a skirt, you go into one of the dressing rooms to change. You'll also be given an inner skirt to give your chima some shape. After changing into your hanbok, you then have to go to the lockers to leave your clothes and other items. Storage is included even in the cheapest rental package.
After leaving your stuff in the locker, you need to queue for the hairstyling. With the cheapest package, you get to choose from three simple hairstyles. If you want something more elaborate and with more hair accessories, you have to pay extra. You also have to pay if you want a make-up service.
Once your hair is done, you need to go to the counter and they'll give you a piece of paper indicating what time you have to return. Then it's time to head out to the palaces and channel your inner Korean princess. Don't forget to take lots of photos. Some people would even hire a professional photographer and do an entire photoshoot while wearing a hanbok.
And that's it! When renting a hanbok, don't forget to return it on time as you'll be charged for every additional hour. Don't forget to take good care of the clothes as you'll also get charged if you damage them, even by accident.
If you have any questions, feel free to comment below!
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