The Straits Times, a leading Singapore daily, has given major coverage to the rising popularity of traditional architecture and clothes in Korea. The daily allocated two pages to cover its special reports on the revived polarity of traditional Korean Hanbok attire and of traditional Korean Hanok homes.
Its Seoul correspondent, Chang May Choon, said on Aug. 2 in “A return to their roots” that, “Korean culture enjoys a comeback, thanks to government efforts and social media.”
The reporter introduced a 36-year-old Korean woman who loves to wear Hanbok throughout her day-to-day routine, from going to work, going out with her husband, or just hanging out with friends.
Chang said that a growing number of modern South Koreans, like Kwon, “are embracing their national dress in a cultural revival fueled by a social media craze and government efforts to boost the country's cultural identity and promote everything 'Han,' or Korean. This includes Hansik (Korean food) and Hanji (Korean paper).”
As an example of the popularity of Hanbok, the reporter headed over to Instagram, saying that, “A search for the hashtag #hanbok in Korean or English on Instagram yielded over 560,000 results and the number is still growing.”
The daily also said that, “Shops that rent out Hanbok have begun popping up in Seoul and Jeonju in response to growing demand.”
“Last September, online retail giant Gmarket reported a 244 percent jump in modernized Hanbok sales over the same period in 2014,” the reporter said.
Chang also introduced a modern view on Hanbok through an interview with Hanbok designer Kim Young-jin. In the interview, Kim said, “Hanbok is a fashion statement. Young people rent Hanbok just for the fun of it, but I hope they will come to realize the philosophy behind the outfit and how a better quality Hanbok will make them look and feel very different.”
In the special report about Korea, the Straits Times also took a closer look at traditional Hanok architecture. In the article “Traditional Hanok gets modern makeover,” the reporter eyed the growing popularity of Hanok homes.
In the article, Chang introduced the Hanok house of Kim Sung-jun, saying that his house is “as traditional as it gets, with a tiled roof, brick walls and a carved wooden door. The interior, however, has all the trappings of a modern home – bedrooms with an attached bathroom, floor heating and air-conditioning.”
The reporter also quoted Kim, who said, “The courtyard is perfect for barbecues in summer. It’s important to preserve tradition, and it’d be good if my daughter’s children could also grow up in a Hanok.”
By Yoon Sojung
Korea.net Staff Writer
arete@korea.kr
Its Seoul correspondent, Chang May Choon, said on Aug. 2 in “A return to their roots” that, “Korean culture enjoys a comeback, thanks to government efforts and social media.”
The Straits Times publishes in-depth reports about the revived popularity of traditional Hanbok clothes and Hanok architecture.
The reporter introduced a 36-year-old Korean woman who loves to wear Hanbok throughout her day-to-day routine, from going to work, going out with her husband, or just hanging out with friends.
Chang said that a growing number of modern South Koreans, like Kwon, “are embracing their national dress in a cultural revival fueled by a social media craze and government efforts to boost the country's cultural identity and promote everything 'Han,' or Korean. This includes Hansik (Korean food) and Hanji (Korean paper).”
As an example of the popularity of Hanbok, the reporter headed over to Instagram, saying that, “A search for the hashtag #hanbok in Korean or English on Instagram yielded over 560,000 results and the number is still growing.”
The daily also said that, “Shops that rent out Hanbok have begun popping up in Seoul and Jeonju in response to growing demand.”
“Last September, online retail giant Gmarket reported a 244 percent jump in modernized Hanbok sales over the same period in 2014,” the reporter said.
Chang also introduced a modern view on Hanbok through an interview with Hanbok designer Kim Young-jin. In the interview, Kim said, “Hanbok is a fashion statement. Young people rent Hanbok just for the fun of it, but I hope they will come to realize the philosophy behind the outfit and how a better quality Hanbok will make them look and feel very different.”
In the special report about Korea, the Straits Times also took a closer look at traditional Hanok architecture. In the article “Traditional Hanok gets modern makeover,” the reporter eyed the growing popularity of Hanok homes.
In the article, Chang introduced the Hanok house of Kim Sung-jun, saying that his house is “as traditional as it gets, with a tiled roof, brick walls and a carved wooden door. The interior, however, has all the trappings of a modern home – bedrooms with an attached bathroom, floor heating and air-conditioning.”
The reporter also quoted Kim, who said, “The courtyard is perfect for barbecues in summer. It’s important to preserve tradition, and it’d be good if my daughter’s children could also grow up in a Hanok.”
By Yoon Sojung
Korea.net Staff Writer
arete@korea.kr
The Straits Times reports on the growing popularity of Hanok homes.