Hanbok Culture Week, South Korea's premier annual festival dedicated to celebrating the nation's traditional clothing, is set to return for a six-day celebration beginning next week. This nationwide event, which highlights the beauty and cultural significance of Korea's iconic traditional dress, promises to blend historical heritage with contemporary fashion sensibilities.
Organized by the Korea Craft and Design Foundation, this year's festival will launch on Tuesday under the compelling theme "Modern Hanbokpan, Center of K-Culture." The festivities will kick off with a spectacular outdoor fashion show at Uijeongbu Site Historic Square, strategically located directly across from the historic Gyeongbok Palace in central Seoul. This opening event will showcase six different brands presenting their contemporary interpretations of traditional hanbok designs.
The runway show will feature 36 models, including notable personalities such as acclaimed figure skater Cha Jun-hwan and international model Stefanie Michova, who will display modern reinterpretations of Korea's timeless traditional attire. Adding to the evening's excitement, the popular dance crew HolyBang, which gained widespread recognition after winning the hit competition show "Street Woman Fighter" in 2021, will deliver a high-energy performance that promises to captivate audiences.
Throughout the week-long celebration, various hanbok-themed events will take place across the country, offering diverse ways for people to engage with Korean traditional culture. Among the unique activities planned are clothing exchange markets, where participants can trade garments they no longer wear, promoting sustainable fashion practices. Another innovative event called "plogging" combines light jogging with environmental consciousness by having participants collect litter while dressed in beautiful hanbok, merging fitness, environmental care, and cultural appreciation.
The National Assembly will serve as a venue for a significant exhibition featuring more than 100 pieces, including both classical and modernized hanbok designs, as well as hanbok-inspired workwear that demonstrates the versatility and contemporary relevance of traditional Korean fashion. This display will showcase how hanbok continues to evolve and adapt to modern lifestyle needs while maintaining its cultural essence.
Participants who choose to wear hanbok during the festival week will enjoy special benefits, including free or discounted admission to major cultural institutions throughout the country. These participating venues include the prestigious National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, the National Gugak Center, and the popular entertainment destination Lotte World, encouraging more people to experience Korean culture while dressed in traditional attire.
A significant academic component of the festival will take place on Wednesday at the National Folk Museum, which will host a specialized symposium. This scholarly gathering will focus on ongoing efforts to inscribe the cultural practices and customs surrounding hanbok on UNESCO's prestigious Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list, highlighting the international recognition of hanbok's cultural importance.
The celebration extends far beyond Korea's borders, demonstrating the global appeal of Korean traditional culture. Korean Cultural Centers in major international cities including New York, Hong Kong, and Berlin will present comprehensive hanbok-themed exhibitions, offering hands-on workshops that allow international participants to experience Korean traditional dress firsthand. These overseas events will also feature gugak performances – traditional Korean music presented with modern interpretations – creating a cross-continental celebration that bridges traditional and contemporary cultural expression.
For those interested in participating in any of the festival's numerous events, comprehensive information and detailed schedules are available on the festival's official website. This resource provides complete details about all planned activities, locations, and participation requirements for the various events taking place throughout the week-long celebration of Korea's enduring traditional attire.
