What is a hanbok?
Hanbok is the name for traditional Korean clothing, that has been worn for centuries. The term should not be confused with Hanok, which is a name for a traditional Korean village. Hanboks were the everyday wear in the past, and they are very colourful and pretty. Nowadays, hanboks are only worn on special occasions like weddings, or by visitors who rent them for a few hours. There is even a national hanbok day to celebrate this traditional outfit.
There are hanboks for both men and women. For women, this is a big colourful skirt (often with underskirt) and a short top. The hanbok for men is a long top over loose fitting pants and often includes a hat.
Why rent a hanbok?
You should rent a hanbok when in Seoul because it’s quite a unique experience. It is a lot of fun to change from your casual wear into pretty clothing – an absolute princess moment. Besides that, you get free entrance to the palaces when wearing a hanbok. Wandering around the palace in the traditional clothing is really nice, and a great setting for photos!
Where to rent a hanbok in Seoul
You’ll find many hanbok rentals around palaces and hanok villages in Seoul. There are so many, that it can be quite overwhelming and hard to pick. The biggest and most well-known palace is Gyeongbokgung Palace, which is where we wanted to go. After doing some research online and walking around, we found a rental shop called The Artist Hanbok.
The Artist Hanbok
The Artist Hanbok is located just 1 street away from the Gyeongbokgung Palace. Because of this, you’ll find the prices are a bit cheaper and the service is more personal. We rented our hanboks here and can’t fault it.
It is easy to reach from the subway. Take exit 2 at the Gyeongbokgung train station, turn left, then a quick right and you’ll find it. The walking distance from the Artist Hanbok to the palace is about 5 minutes.
How much does it cost?
The price of renting a hanbok varies depending on where you rent from and how long you rent it for. Most shops offer a rental of 2 hours, 4 hours, or a full day. We found 2 hours to be perfect. And for this we paid 10k won each. This included a hanbok and hat for Aaron, and a hanbok, matching handbag, and hairstyle for me.
Hanbok renting tips
Originally we struggled to find information online about the rental process and what to expect. So here are a few things to note before you rent your own.
- What to wear underneath: since the hanbok top (especially for girls) is often thin and white, we recommend to wear neutral coloured clothes so that it won’t shine through. They are quite warm, so try not to wear/bring too much.
- Lockers: most rental shops will have a place to store your stuff. Try and leave any big bags or jackets behind.
- The trying on process: don’t be afraid to ask for help. They’re all very kind and it is fine if you want to change your skirt or top after trying it on. You’re given the freedom to pick what you like, so make the most of it.
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- The underskirt: depending on where you decide to rent your hanbok from, make sure to include the underskirt. It gives the dress volume for a more unique look.
- Doing your hair: most places you can also get your hair done. We recommend doing this as it pulls the whole look together a lot more. Getting your hair done should only cost around 5k won.
- Taking photos: it is possible to hire a photographer to take photos of you, but it is crazy expensive. If you’re solo or a couple, we recommend just asking other visitors to take some photos of you (or bring a tripod).
Best time to rent a hanbok
The best season to rent a hanbok, in our opinion, is either Autumn or Spring. These seasons have the ideal temperature for wearing a Hanbok with great lighting for photos.
Best places for photos in a hanbok
One of the best places for photos in a hanbok is definitely the Gyeongbokgung Palace. Even though the entrance and main building get very busy, there are a heap of quieter corners for amazing photos. The garden behind the palace is a beautiful spot too.
If you want to spend more time wearing a hanbok, then we’d recommend also visiting a Hanok village. Bukchon Hanok Village, located on the east side of the palace, is a great place to wander through in your hanbok.
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