Seoul, South Korea: Hanbok Photoshoot

 

Apart from discovering the culture and tradition of the places I visit, it always fascinates me to experience it myself. One way to experience the culture is trying the traditional clothing, just like what I did in Japan when I did the Oiran transformation. This time in Seoul, I did the hanbok with photoshoot! 😍

I searched online for the best hanbok rental shop, but only few offer photoshoot. Good thing I found the Hanbok That Day which offers photography at a decent price. I booked a slot on monday at 9am; I tried avoiding other timings as it can get crowded.

Photoshoot Day

On the scheduled day, I went as early as I can since I didn't know the exact location of the shop. I alight at the Anguk Station and just followed the map. Luckily, I managed to find it before 9am; it was roughly 7-10 mins walk from the station.

The shop was still closed when I arrived, so I waited outside along with the other guests. At 9am, the shop opened, then we were escorted to the room where all the costumes were stored. There were a lot of options to choose from - different designs, colours, and fabrics. The men's area occupied a small portion in the room while there were rows of hanboks hanging.

Choosing of Hanbok & Styling

Knowing me, it's always a problem when I needed to decide on something. So, I asked for opinions until I was down to 2 options, then it was easier to decide. 😁 I opted for the premium hanbok as they look simple yet elegant.

The staff assisted in putting on the hanbok; there were 2 layers - the inner dress then the skirt and the lace blouse. I was then asked to proceed to another room for my hair. The package included free basic hair styling with hair accessories. I was also provided with a handbag and traditional footwear.

Photoshoot

After the preparation, we were all set for the photoshoot. While there's an option to do an outdoor photoshoot, which means the photographer will accompany the guest to the Gyeongbokgung Palace to do the shoot there, I opted for an indoor hanok photoshoot as I wasn't comfortable doing it in a crowded place. 😂

A hanok (chosŏnjip) is a traditional Korean house that exudes elegance. The hanok were first built in the 14th century during the Joseon dynasty. It is usually made of almost natural materials, such as wood, rock, and earth which produce an elegant home that is environmental friendly. The hanok design truly captivated me; it gives off a serene feeling.

On the other hand, I have always been awkward and bad at poses, but the photographer was so kind in directing me what to do, where to look, to smile, and what to do with my hands. 😂 

I truly appreciate the patience and professionalism of the photographer and the staffs. The photoshoot took less an hour and was indeed fun.

Free Time

As part of the package, I was allowed to go out wearing the hanbok for 1 hour. And so, we went to the Gyeongbokgung Palace and took some photos in different parts. It's joyful to see the palace becomes even livelier with tourists wearing different styles and colours of hanbok (and men in their traditional costumes) roaming around; some women were wearing furry coat since it was winter during my visit. 😍

Verdict

The overall experience was fun and memorable. I will surely do it again when I come back to South Korea. There are so many shops offering hanbok rental for different duration, so it's quite flexible. Will I recommend this experience? Absolutely yes! Just make sure to find a good shop, don't forget to read the reviews to ensure you will be at a good place. Some shops might not be too friendly or might be too strict. I highly recommend the shop I went to - it is located just behind the palace so it's accessible.

📍Hanbok That Day

03062 36, Yulgok-ro 1-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

📱www.instagram.com/hanbokthatday/

Feb '24