Hanbok: Explore Collections: Windows to the World: Digital Artifacts for Global Educators: Indiana University Bloomington

Hanbok

Hanbok is the traditional clothing of Korea. It is a beautiful and distinct garment that has a long history dating back thousands of years. Hanbok is characterized by its vibrant colors, graceful lines, and elegant design.

Women’s hanbok consists of two main parts: the jeogori, which is a jacket or blouse, and the chima, which is a skirt. The jeogori is typically short and has a loose fit, with wide sleeves and a rounded collar. It is often adorned with intricate embroidery or patterns. The chima is a high-waisted, full skirt that flows gracefully to the ankles. It is typically pleated and secured with a wide sash called a goreum.

For men, hanbok consists of the jeogori, which is longer than women’s jeogori, and baji, or trousers. Baji are wide-legged and roomy, and are tied at the waist and ankle with a string. Joggi (vest) or durugami (robe) can also be added on top of jeogori and baji.

The individual items of hanbok are made from a variety of natural fabrics, including silk, cotton, and ramie. The choice of fabric depends on the occasion and the social status of the wearer. For special occasions and formal events, silk hanbok is often preferred for its luxurious and refined appearance.

The colors of hanbok hold meanings. Vibrant colors like red, blue, yellow, and green are commonly used, and each color has its own symbolism. For example, red represents passion and good fortune, while blue symbolizes calmness and spirituality.

Hanbok designs and styles vary based on factors such as gender, age, and social status. Traditional hanbok for women often features more elaborate and intricate details, including a longer jeogori and a wider chima. Men's hanbok, on the other hand, is usually simpler in design, with a shorter jeogori and straight-cut trousers called baji.

Hanbok has evolved over time, influenced by changing fashion trends and historical events. Modern hanbok designs combine traditional elements with contemporary aesthetics, catering to different preferences and occasions. Hanbok is still worn on various cultural and festive occasions, such as weddings, traditional ceremonies, and holidays.

In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in hanbok, both within Korea and internationally. It is cherished as a symbol of Korean heritage and identity, and many people appreciate its timeless beauty and cultural significance.

The first image shown is the jeogori, a key component of the hanbok. The word hanbok denotes traditional clothing in South Korea. The jeogori (jacket) is distinguished by its vibrant colored ties, referred to as a goreum, which is commonly coordinated with the kkeutdong (cuffs). This jacket is worn over a skirt called a chima, forming an integral part of the traditional Korean hanbok clothing.

The second image shows sokchima, or slips, which play a crucial role in hanbok as they contribute to the fullness and graceful shape of the skirt.

The vibrant fuchsia skirt in the third image, known as chima, beautifully complements the lighter pink jacket adorned with richly colored cuffs. In the past, chima were typically designed as one-size-fits-all garments and were adjusted to fit the wearer through the use of ties.

The fourth image shows a pair of beoseon, which are a style of socks crafted from stitched fabric instead of knitted or crocheted yarn. Certain beoseon feature two layers of fabric with padding in the middle, resembling a quilt, while others consist of a single layer.

The fifth image shows danghye, women’s silk shoes.

The sixth image shows durujumeoni, or purse. Delicate slivers of silver embellish the stripes of this small purse.

The seventh image shows durumagi, or men’s robe. The deep backdrop of this attire provides a striking contrast that amplifies the vibrant blue flowers. It boasts a significantly longer length compared to the jeogori showcased in this digital exhibit and includes convenient pockets.

The last image shows the silk trousers, known as baji, which feature a pleasant mint green color and are equipped with an elastic waistband for comfort. Upon closer inspection, one can discern delightful depictions of steaming tea kettles embedded within the fabric.

Teacher-Made Hanbok Lesson Plan- Latin I-II by Rosina Catalan

Teacher-Made Huipil + Hanbok Lesson Plan- 2nd Grade Social Studies by Claire Stancombe

Teacher-Made Huipil + Hanbok Lesson Plan- Spanish II by Rebecca Agudelo-McNealy

Agudelo-McNealy Supplement 1- Guided Conversation Slides

Agudelo-McNealy Supplement 2- Vocabulary List

Agudelo-McNealy Supplement 3- Student Activity 1

Agudelo-McNealy Supplement 4- Student Activity 2

Agudelo-McNealy Supplement 5- Huipil Reading

Agudelo-McNealy Supplement 6- Hanbok Reading

Agudelo-McNealy Supplement 7- Self Reflection

Resources

Resource 1

Images courtesy of NationalClothing.org

While the fundamental form of the hanbok has endured, its design and structure have undergone modifications over time, influenced by different eras, beauty ideals, and cultural changes. The hanbok worn by modern Koreans closely resembles the style of the hanbok worn during the mid to late Joseon Dynasty, featuring fitted tops and more relaxed bottoms.

Hanbok, the traditional Korean clothing, has a rich history dating back to the Three Kingdoms period (57 B.C. – 668 A.D.) when Baekje, Goguryeo, and Silla ruled the Korean Peninsula. There were variations in hanbok not only through the Three Kingdoms, but also the following dynasties such as Goryeo (918-1392) and Joseon (1392-1897). Hanbok also varied depending on the region one resided, social and economic class, gender, and age.

Resource 2

Best of Seoul Fashion Week: Hanbok- Vogue

Images courtesy of Vogue and Zara

The first image is from Vogue, on their feature on modern Hanbok. Fashion designers are taking traditional styles and combining them to create fresh and modern fashion designs, which can be seen on fashion runways as well as in everyday clothing.

The second image shows a kids’ Hanbok collection launched by the global fashion brand, Zara in 2022. The design was driven by the daily hanbok in Korea.

Daily hanbok emerged in the 1990s as a simplified version of traditional hanbok to better suit modern everyday lives. It was simplified and moderated into a form that emphasizes practicality. As daily hanbok has been accepted as one of the fashion trends in the 1990s, some secondary schools even selected daily hanbok as their uniforms. Today, there are several daily hanbok brands in diverse colors, designs, and price range.

Resource 3

BTS: IDOL- The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon

BTS, a South Korean boy band, performed their song “IDOL” on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. They wore Hanbok, traditional clothing, in front of Gyeongbokgung Palace, the royal palace of the Joseon dynasty, in the background.

A growing number of K-pop artists, such as BTS and Blackpink, integrate various aspects of Korean culture into their music, music videos (MVs), and performances. This includes incorporating traditional songs into their music, traditional instruments into their compositions, and even elements of traditional Korean attire into their outfits.

Hanbok

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