Hanbok Expo 2022 to kick off on Aug. 25 at Coex

Visitors look at hanbok, or Korean traditional dress, at last year's Hanbok Expo, which was held at Culture Station Seoul 284 in central Seoul. [YONHAP]

The Hanbok Expo 2022, organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Craft and Design Foundation, kicks off on Aug. 25 at Coex in Gangnam District, southern Seoul.

For this year’s four-day event, 74 companies that manufacture hanbok, or Korean traditional dress, will participate to offer various styles of hanbok, from traditional to modern. The organizers said visitors can purchase hanbok products and accessories at the event. The participating companies are offering discounts of up to 80 percent.

This year’s event, the fifth of its kind, was artistically directed by hanbok designer Seo Young-hee. According to Seo, the theme for this year is “Blue Story in the Wind.” Ten hanbok designers have been selected to reinterpret the image, which appears in the “Songs of Silla,” or “Hyangga,” where Lady Suro of the Silla Dynasty (668-935) crosses the East Sea donning an indigo blue hanbok.

Singer Song Ga-in, this year’s hanbok ambassador, will make an appearance on Aug. 25 to promote the event. Visitors can also purchase an accessory Song designed herself to wear with hanbok.

According to the organizers, visitors who visit the venue wearing hanbok can enjoy the exhibition for free. Those who make an online reservation in advance (www.2022hanbokexpo.com) by Aug. 28 will also be able to enter the event for free.

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