By Honorary Reporter Devi Marietta from Indonesia
Photos = Devi Marietta

Wearing the traditional Korean clothing Hanbok is a must for almost everyone who falls in love with Korea. When the Korean Cultural Center in Jakarta, Indonesia, announced that it would host an event on Hanbok etiquette training on May 19, I registered right away.

After attending this training, I learned the specific methods of tying Hanbok and how to present myself wearing it depending on occasion. The class started with how to wear Hanbok properly. I was unaware that the outfit has a special tightening function on its upper side. The picture below shows me before and after this training.

I found it hard in the beginning to tighten the ribbon, but got the hang of it after five to ten rounds of practice.

I learned how to properly tie the upper garment of Hanbok on May 19.

After learning to wear Hanbok properly, we learned the proper etiquette for putting it on. Koreans usually wear Hanbok on special occasions such as weddings, funerals and rituals or traditional events.

The hand gesture gongsu also differs depending on gender. A man must place his left hand on the upper side of his right hand, while a woman should place her hand in the opposite position. The gestures are also the opposite if they are at a funeral.

Greetings while wearing Hanbok are governed by the etiquette jeol. A person needs to bow properly for around three seconds and say "Annyeonghasimnika" (formal way of saying "Hello" in Korean). The kneeling etiquette banhsol means to kneel first with the left foot before the right. The students including me learned so much about the proper ways to wear Hanbok and etiquette through this class.

Students at the KCC in Jakarta's class on Hanbok etiquette pose for a group picture in their attire May 19.