Everything You Need to Know About Renting a Hanbok in Korea

Imagine strolling through the grand courtyards of a 600-year-old palace, the silk of your elegant dress rustling with every step. Renting a Hanbok (한복), Korea's beautiful traditional clothing, is more than just playing dress-up; it's a wonderfully immersive way to connect with the country's rich history and create truly unforgettable memories (and photos!). Plus, there's a huge perk: wearing a Hanbok grants you free entry to Seoul's five Grand Palaces! For any first-time visitor, this experience is a must-do. This guide will walk you through the entire process, from choosing a shop to striking the perfect pose.

Where Are the Best Places to Rent and Wear a Hanbok?

While you can find rental shops in many tourist areas, some locations offer the perfect historical backdrop.

• Seoul (Near the Palaces): The streets surrounding Gyeongbokgung Palace and Changdeokgung Palace are packed with hundreds of rental shops. This is the most popular and convenient area, allowing you to walk directly from the shop into the palace grounds.
• Jeonju Hanok Village: This is the ultimate Hanbok experience. The entire village, with its 700+ traditional houses, becomes your photo studio. It feels like the entire city is participating with you. Read more in our Jeonju guide.
• Gyeongju: In Korea's ancient capital, you can wear your Hanbok against the backdrop of royal tombs and historic temples, offering a different, more serene vibe.

The Step-by-Step Rental Process

The process might seem daunting with so many shops, but it's remarkably simple and standardized everywhere.

Step 1: Choose a Shop and a Plan

Walk around the area and peek into a few shops to see their selection and pricing. Once you choose one, you'll select your rental time. Prices typically range from 15,000 KRW for 1.5-2 hours to 40,000 KRW for a full day. For most people, 2 to 4 hours is the perfect amount of time.

Step 2: Choose Your Hanbok

This is the most exciting part! You'll be faced with racks upon racks of colorful options. It helps to know the two main styles:

• Traditional Hanbok: These have simpler designs, natural dye colors, and an elegant, classic look.
• Themed/Modern Hanbok: These are the most popular with tourists. They feature brighter colors, shiny fabrics, intricate gold foiling, and more elaborate embroidery. They have a more "princess-like" feel.

A Hanbok consists of a chima (치마 - the skirt) and a jeogori (저고리 - the upper jacket). The easiest way to choose is to pick your skirt first, then find a jacket that complements it.

Step 3: The Fitting and Accessories

Once you've made your choice, the staff will guide you to a fitting room. You wear the Hanbok over your regular clothes (a t-shirt and shorts/leggings are ideal underneath). The staff are experts and will help you put it on correctly. After you're dressed, it's time to accessorize!

• Underskirt (속치마): This is a caged petticoat that is essential. It's usually included in the price and gives the skirt its beautiful, full, bell-like shape.
• Hair Styling: Nearly all shops offer complimentary basic hairstyling, usually a simple braid or bun with elegant ribbons (daenggi) and pins. More elaborate updos are available for a small extra fee.
• Bags and Purses: A small, matching purse is almost always included in the rental. It's perfect for carrying your phone, wallet, and lipstick.
• Other Accessories: For men, this can include the traditional hat (gat). For women, you can add decorative tassels (norigae) to your outfit.

Step 4: Payment and Deposit

Once you're all dolled up, you'll head to the counter to pay. It is standard practice for the shop to hold onto a form of deposit. This is usually your ID card (like a driver's license) or a cash deposit (around 50,000 KRW) per Hanbok. They will keep this safely in a locker with your belongings and return it when you bring back the Hanbok.

Pro-Tips for a Perfect Hanbok Experience

• Wear Comfortable Shoes: This is the most important tip! You will be doing a lot of walking on uneven palace grounds. Wear sneakers or comfortable flats. Your shoes will be hidden by the long skirt.
• Dress for the Weather: In summer, wear light clothing like a t-shirt and shorts underneath. On a beautiful autumn day like today, a long-sleeved shirt is perfect. In winter, shops provide faux-fur vests and cloaks to wear over your Hanbok to keep you warm.
• Visit on a Weekday: The palaces and rental shops are significantly less crowded on weekdays, giving you more space for photos and a more relaxed experience.
• Time Your Visit: Remember that most palaces have a last admission time (usually around 4-5 PM). Plan accordingly. Renting a Hanbok in the early afternoon is a great option.
• Strike a Pose: Have fun with your photos! Gently hold the side of your skirt, use a traditional fan as a prop, or find a quiet corner of the palace to capture the elegant silhouette of the dress.

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Renting a Hanbok is more than just a tourist activity; it's a joyful, colorful, and surprisingly comfortable way to step back in time and appreciate the beauty of Korean culture. It allows you to transform from a passive observer into an active participant in the historical scenery around you. So go ahead, choose your colors, and get ready to make some truly royal memories.

Where would you wear your Hanbok? Let us know your dream photo spot in the comments below!