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Rent Hanbok in Seoul (The Traditional Korean Dress)

Benjamin Juster

Gracing the scene of Seoul’s many palaces or traditional hanok neighborhoods is the beautiful traditional Korean dress,  known as hanbok in Korea. It’s quite popular to rent hanbok in Seoul for photography in one of these settings.

Insadong or any of the palaces or traditional villages in South Korea are some of the best places to rent hanbok, especially for young couples in spring and autumn. In fact, wearing Korean hanbok to a palace in Seoul can get you free admission!

Why not join in the fun and rent hanbok in Seoul to have your own Korean hanbok photoshoot?

After finishing two years teaching English abroad on Jeju Island, we did exactly that—and have never enjoyed a frolic around Seoul’s may beautiful sights more. The two of us spent our very last day in South Korea renting hanbok in Seoul and taking photos.

We were also able to find a way to save money on your Korean hanbok rental: Rent hanbok here to get a discounted price.

 

Before You Go

Here’s our guide to renting Hanbok in Seoul!

These photographs were taken on our Canon 80D. Check out our essential cameras for every traveler guide for more info.

What is Hanbok?

The term hanbok refers to all traditional Korean clothing, but usually refers to clothing from the Joseon period reserved for holidays and other special occasions in Korea.

With graceful, simple lines and vibrant, bold colors, the character of the Korean hanbok is striking and impossible not to adore as you wander around the streets of Seoul.

Hanbok consists of two main parts: the jeogori (upper garment) and baji (pants) or chima (skirt).

The wide and open arms of the jeogori are said to represent the warmth and compassion of the Korean people, while the loose-fitting and voluminous skirts represent space and freedom.

The traditional Korean dress we refer to as hanbok are loose-fitting, allowing for ease of movement and sitting on the floor. 

 

History of Hanbok

The beauty of the traditional Korean dress known as hanbok has made an impact in Korea for at least 1,600 years.

Oh yes—the beauty of the Korean hanbok is certainly matched in its lasting vitality. In fact, ancient murals from the Goguryeo Dynasty depicting hanbok imagery attest to its antiquity.

 

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The styles have evolved over the centuries-long history of hanbok, and have been influenced by fashions of neighboring peoples, such as the Chinese and Mongolians.

Fast forward to the 21st century, and you and I can now rent a Korean hanbok and experience the traditional Korean dress that has graced the culture for all this time!

 

 

Oneday Hanbok offers traditional Korean hanbok styles, as well as modern Korean hanbok, which feature slimmer, cinched in waistlines.

Lauren tried on both styles at Oneday Hanbok, and just had to choose the cinched-in style modern Korean hanbok!

 

 

Rent Hanbok in Seoul, South Korea

Interested in how to rent Korean hanbok in Seoul for yourself?

For our last day in South Korea, we couldn’t bear to waste any time wandering the streets of Insadong or Bukchon to find a Korean hanbok rental location.

Instead, we did some research, discovered Oneday Hanbok and were immediately sold.

With beautiful hanbok options, affordable prices, and a super convenient location, Oneday Hanbok was an obvious choice to rent hanbok in Seoul.

The Oneday Hanbok store, perfectly located near Bukcheon and Changdeokgung Palace, offers everything you need to go out on the town in full Korean traditional dress.

Changdeokgung is also one of the best spots to see fall in Korea. Head over there after getting your hanbok rental for some amazing photo opportunities!

 

 

Arranging Your Oneday Hanbok Rental

Oneday Hanbok has helpful directions on their site so you can find the hanbok rental shop.

Oneday Hanbok is conveniently located in Seoul’s Bukchon neighborhood between Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung palaces, 300 meters up the street from Anguk station.

One really cool thing about renting a hanbok in Seoul is you can get free admission to Gyeongbokgung Palace if you’re wearing a hanbok! Read more about that in this guide of free things to do in Seoul.

 

How to Rent Hanbok in Seoul with Oneday Hanbok

If you’d prefer a cheaper price for your Oneday Hanbok rental, we recommend you reserve your Hanbok Rental here to get a discounted price.

Oneday Hanbok is open from 9 AM to 7PM, with the last time to rent Korean hanbok at 6PM.

Contacting in advance isn’t a necessity, but is recommended so that you have priority when you go to the shop.

After you rent hanbok, you can also have a Korean hanbok photoshoot with a professional photographer.

 

The Process to Rent Hanbok in Seoul

At the Oneday Hanbok store, pick from dozens of different colors and styles of Korean hanbok.

We just loved peeping at each option, and had a tough time choosing between all the choices! But you know, ladies first! 

Lauren had her pick of the many hanbok choices Oneday Hanbok offered, from the traditional styles to the modern takes.

She ultimately decided on this pink and purple combination, and the helpful assistants at Oneday Hanbok helped put together the male Korean traditional clothes for me to match her.

After making our hanbok selections, the friendly people at Oneday Hanbok got us dressed and sent us on our way to frolic throughout the streets of Seoul—and what a way to explore!

We got countless compliments on our hanbok, and had several people ask to take our pictures.

While it was rainy during the day we rented the hanbok, this actually worked in our favor.

The rain lasted very briefly, but still emptied the streets of Bukchon enough to allow us free reign.

We were able to snap several picture-perfect shots in the hanok-lined rows of Bukchon normally crowded with tourists!

 

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Hanbok Accessories & Styling

To make your Korean hanbok rental complete, they offer free hanbok accessories, including hair adornments and bags.

If you’d like extra pieces, such as a variety of hats, it costs 2000 won extra.

Oneday Hanbok does not offer makeup or hairstyling services, but may assist you in putting on the hanbok and helping place your hair accessories.

This is just fine for us as these services tend to be pretty pricey at other places anyway!

Hanbok rental also includes free accessories for hairstyling, including bobby pins and curlers, though the location still recommends that you come with your hair already done.

 

Click the photo above to find the cheapest rental cars for Seoul, South Korea

 

How to Wear Korean Hanbok

If this is your first time to rent hanbok in Seoul, you should know how to wear your newly rented traditional Korean dress before you go out on the town.

You can wear normal clothes under hanbok, but keep in mind some important tips depending on the season you visit.

In warmer weather, we recommend that you wear short-sleeve shirts, bright colored tops, and thin materials, and to avoid wearing dark-colored and high-necked shirts.

In winter, a thick t-shirt is a good idea, and many layers so that you can avoid wearing a turtle neck or thick sweater.

If you rent Korean hanbok on a rainy or snowy day, Oneday Hanbok will shorten the bottom so that it’s less likely to get dirty. After all, no one wants a dirty hem in their pictures!

 

How Much is Hanbok Rental in Korea?

Interested in how to rent a Korean hanbok in Seoul with Oneday Hanbok? Here’s how much hanbok rental costs in Korea.

When you rent hanbok in Seoul with Oneday Hanbok, you have to provide a copy of your ID/Passport and a rental deposit of 50,000 won per hanbok.

Alternatively, you can also leave your ID/Passport and 10,000 won as a deposit.

If you damage the hanbok, you won’t get your deposit back and will be held liable for the damages, so take care with your beautiful hanbok!

 

 

Disclosure: This post is a collaboration with Oneday Hanbok, but as always, all opinions are very much our own! 

 

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