Myeongdong's Costume Culture - Traditional Korean Hanbok - Photoshoot in Hanbok

The Allure of Costume Culture Experienced in Myeongdong

I would like to introduce Korea's unique costume culture, as recently experienced in Myeongdong. Myeongdong is always vibrant and diverse, but this year, costume culture is particularly prominent, attracting much attention.

1. Myeongdong's Costume Culture Trends and Current Status

1) Participation of Foreigners and Koreans

Myeongdong is a popular destination for foreign tourists, and I often saw foreigners strutting the streets in costumes. They wore costumes of various themes, enjoying themselves as they explored the streets of Myeongdong. Koreans also visited Myeongdong in costumes on special days or for events, contributing to the lively atmosphere unique to Myeongdong.

2) Hanbok Experience and Various Costume Events

• Hanbok Experience Program
  Various programs offering traditional Hanbok experiences operate in Myeongdong. The Seoul Global Cultural Center provides opportunities to try on Hanbok for free through its traditional clothing experience program, and many tourists visit to wear Hanbok and take photos with Myeongdong as the backdrop.

3) Main Events and Festivals

Seoul Festa 2024: At the Seoul Festa 2024 held in Myeongdong this year, the ‘K-Star Challenge’ program was a big hit. This program allowed participants to rent and try on K-POP idol or K-actor style outfits in a dressing room, and a makeup room offered demonstrations and hands-on experiences with K-POP idol makeup. A dance class with professional dancers provided K-POP one-point lessons and group challenges, gaining enthusiastic responses.

Myeongdong Festival: The Myeongdong Festival, held from April 26th to May 6th, 2024, was a pinnacle event for costume culture. Various costume-related activities were held, and diverse programs such as SNS events, stamp tours, festival goods shops, and K-dessert pop-up stores further enhanced Myeongdong’s vibrancy.

4) Case of Six Women Attracting Attention

There is a notable case of six women in costumes who attracted attention in Myeongdong’s shopping district with their unique outfits. Their interesting appearance harmonized with the street's atmosphere, and a video recording of them garnered much interest. Their appearance, striding the streets in unique costumes, further highlighted Myeongdong’s vibrancy and diversity.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/HakRsRBvVIw - 
Wow! Costume Sisters on Street of Myeong Dong, Seoul, Korea 2024-11-09

5) Koreans' Reactions and the Future of Costume Culture

Koreans generally react positively to costume culture, and many enjoy Myeongdong's costume culture. The younger generation, in particular, found great pleasure in expressing themselves and experiencing new cultures through these events.

2. Cosplay and Korean Culture

Cosplay's Popularity: Beginning in the mid-1990s, cosplay culture gained significant popularity among teenagers, establishing a culture of recreating characters from cartoons and movies in various ways.
Modernization of Hanbok: The modern reinterpretation of traditional Hanbok, namely ‘saenghwal hanbok’ (everyday Hanbok), has also gained popularity. With K-pop idols such as BTS and Blackpink appearing on stage in Hanbok, a new form of costume culture connecting tradition and modernity is receiving attention.

3. Walking Myeongdong Street in Traditional Korean Hanbok

We introduce various places in Myeongdong where you can rent Hanbok and great spots for taking photos in Hanbok. You can rent a Hanbok and create special memories against a traditional backdrop.

1) Places to Rent Hanbok in Myeongdong

• Lumispace Myeongdong Hanbok Rental Shop
  Address: 19, Myeongdong 8ga-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
  Phone: 02-2266-9725
  • Features: Woman-owned business, also operates as a photography studio

• Seoul Global Cultural Center
  Location: Within Myeongdong
  Operating Hours: 10:00 ~ 19:00
  • Features:
    Provides free Hanbok experience and 1-hour free Hanbok rental service
    Provides free internet, coin lockers, global ATM services, etc.

2) Myeongdong Tourist Information Center

• Operating Hours: 09:00 ~ 20:00
• Features: Free Hanbok experience, photo zone provided
  In addition, various Hanbok rental shops are easily accessible in Jongno-gu, an area near Myeongdong. Most Hanbok rental shops rent Hanboks for about 13,000-15,000 won for a 4-hour period, and headwear and bags are usually provided free of charge.

3) Hanbok Rental Companies

• Princess Hanbok
• Yes Hanbok
• Lumispace Myeongdong Hanbok Rental Shop (the Artist Hanbok)
• Studio KJD
• HANBOKNAM Bukchon Hanok Village Branch (한복남 북촌한옥마을점)

4) Popular Places to Take Photos in Hanbok

• Locations within Myeongdong
  Myeongdong Tourist Information Center: Provides free Hanbok experience and photo zone
  Seoul Global Cultural Center: Provides free Hanbok experience and 1-hour free Hanbok rental service
• Popular locations around Myeongdong
  Gyeongbokgung Palace: Free entry when wearing Hanbok; allows for photos against the beautiful palace backdrop (e.g., Geunjeongjeon Hall, Gyeonghoeru Pavilion, Hyangwonjeong Garden).
  Bukchon Hanok Village: Offers unique and beautiful photo opportunities in the charming alleys against the backdrop of traditional hanoks.
  Changdeokgung Palace: Free entry when wearing Hanbok; allows for photos against the beautiful palace backdrop.

These locations are very popular among tourists who want to take special photos in a traditional atmosphere while wearing Hanbok, offering an economical and unique experience.

Myeongdong Street Costume Culture

The costume culture in Myeongdong well reflects Korea’s unique cultural characteristics, and Myeongdong holds a special charm as a place where various costumes coexist. This cultural diversity provides a unique experience for domestic and international tourists visiting Myeongdong, further increasing domestic and international interest in Korean culture and playing a role in promoting a new form of cultural exchange.