One of my most exciting experiences in Korea was seeing the Gyeongbokgung Palace and wearing hanbok for the first time during Chuseok weekend (Autumn Eve). Chuseok is a harvest festival and a three day holiday weekend, so I did as much as I could from September 12-15. Hanbok is a traditional Korean dress worn for special occasions, and many rental places are accessible near the palace area. My friend and I decided we would try it, since you can enter the palaces for free if you wear it. I was a bit nervous that wearing the hanbok would be uncomfortable or awkward with so many people around, but that concern was swept away as soon as I put it on. At the rental place, we got to choose the style and color we wanted to wear, and after the woman styled our hair and let us use accessories. Our hair was pulled back into a single braid with a large flower adorning it. After admiring ourselves in the large mirror, we walked out and entered the palace in the huge skirt and top combos.
It’s not uncommon to see people wearing hanbok within the palace, but to be foreigners wearing it was a different story. On top of that, being a black foreigner was even more rare. As my friend and I were taking our own photos, I was continuously approached by photographers with professional cameras who wanted to take my picture. They would ask me to pose a certain way, and then went to snapping. It was actually very fun, and being the center of attention in this way made me feel like some sort of celebrity. Even non-photographers wanted pictures of me in my hanbok. Two different Korean men approached and asked for a selfie with me. I had never done anything like that before, being approached for photos by people I didn’t know. But instead of feeling alienated, it made me appreciate the experience much more. I enjoyed the ability to communicate and interact with locals, even if my Korean skills aren’t the best. It was also cool to dive into such an iconic part of Korean culture firsthand, since previously I had only seen the hanbok worn in Korean historical dramas. All in all, this experience really helped me step out of my comfort zone and gain a stronger appreciation for exploring traditional Korean culture. Wearing hanbok at the palace is definitely a must for anyone who visits Seoul!
