South Korean fashion has undeniably grown rapidly in the last few decades. Their ‘soft-girl’ take on beauty and the blend of tradition with modernity in style has given fashion a new meaning. As a recently established mecca for music, fashion, beauty and entertainment, it’s safe to say that Koreans are serious about fashion.
What makes K-fashion even more remarkable is the They have never failed to push boundaries when showcasing their sartorial prowess while still keeping it traditional. A case in point is the traditional hanbok outfits. From to BTS, we have seen K-pop stars more than once keeping the Korean culture alive through music and fashion.
So, what makes hanbok outfits so special in K-fashion? The word ‘hanbok’ translates to ‘Korean clothes,’ and before the introduction of Western styles to Korea, it was simply everyday wear. Eventually, western clothing overtook hanbok and, in turn, became more of a ceremonial dress reserved for traditional holidays, celebrations and events, such as first birthdays and weddings. But recently, efforts to revive hanbok as clothes to wear on any ordinary day have begun to find success.
With fashion designers’ collaborations with K-pop groups and K-dramas, as Korean culture continues to dominate the global stage. In a 2020 music video, "How You Like That," the fierce appeared in stunning, modernised hanbok, inviting curiosity from fans in Korea and around the world. The outfits were created by fashion designer Danha Kim.