New exhibition at Culture Station 284 centers around modern hanbok

An example of newly-designed hanbok [MINISTRY OF CULTURE, SPORTS AND TOURISM]

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Korea Craft and Design Foundation have co-organized a special exhibit for hanbok, or Korean traditional dress.

From Feb. 9 to 24 at Culture Station 284, which is located next to Seoul Station in central Seoul, visitors will be able to learn how hanbok can be adapted into everyday wear, from school uniforms to work attire.

The exhibit showcases some 30 different hanbok designs that can be worn at tourism sites, which is “one of the main areas that is at the forefront in promoting Korean culture,” according to the Culture Ministry.

As for school uniforms, 15 different designs are on display that have been voted the most popular by students, parents and school staff when hanbok uniforms were tested at several schools across the country.

About six designers took part in designing the hanbok uniforms.

“We designed the hanbok uniforms by focusing on practical aspects while expressing Korean imagery by using the characteristic patterns and colors that can be seen in traditional hanbok,” said Hwang Seon-tae, one of the hanbok designers.

The exhibit is open to all for free.

While hanbok is at the center of a fierce spat between Korean and Chinese people following China’s claims over it, the Korean government has been pushing to bring hanbok into people’s daily lives since last year. Currently about 12 state-run organizations have adopted hanbok as their uniforms including the National Hangeul Museum, King Sejong Institute Foundation, Jongno District Office and Miryang City Government Office. The Culture Ministry plans to expand that number in following years.

About 81 different designs of school uniforms have been created so far. In 2020, 15 schools began wearing hanbok uniforms and 19 more schools were added in 2021. The Culture Ministry said any schools interested in adopting hanbok uniforms can sign up from April.

BY YIM SEUNG-HYE [yim.seunghye@joongang.co.kr]