Wearing hanboks, strange to say, seems to be a little awkward in today’s daily life. People may borrow hanboks as ceremonial dresses once or twice a year, butpeople are generally reluctant to buy them. To address this problem, Hanboknolidan was organized. Its chief aim is to revive the hanbok-wearing culture. Young Hanboknolidan-affiliated people show themselves having fun wearing hanboks in their daily lives. Hanboknolidan has become known to people through Nate Pann, Chungang Ilbo, YTN NEWS, MBC Sesangboki Sisikakkak, etc. To know more about Hanboknolidan, ST interviewed Huh Neung-kang(’11, School of Systems Biomedical Science), a member of the steering committee of Hanboknolidan.
ST: What made you join Hanboknolidan?
Heo: As a freshman, I got tired of my daily routine, so I surfed the Web to find some activities that would pique my interest. I found out that Hanboknolidan was recruiting members for a flash mob in Hongik Univ. I found it interesting and thus applied into and joined Hanboknolidanas a member.
ST: How was Hanboknolidan formed?
Univ.) felt sorry about the reality that the people’s interest in hanbok has all but disappeared. As part of the efforts to increase the people’s awareness of hanbok, she suggested a hanbok flash mob. She applied for the cyworld dream campaign, and Hanboknolidan was finally formed. Hanboknolidan was initially only a simple one-time event, but this proved to be just the start. It eventually left the members of Hanboknolidan much to be desired. Thus, Hanboknolidan has continued its activities until now.
ST: What kinds of activities are being carried out by Hanboknolidan?
Heo: All the activities are carried out by the members, whowear hanboks. There are various activities, not only the flash mob in the square but also festivals, varied events, shooting of music videos, education about traditional Korean cultures with the aim of convincing people to reconsider adopting the traditional Korean consciousness, and attendance as audiences in TV and radio programs. We also go to different places after planning our visits beforehand.
ST: What should I do to become a member of Hanboknolidan?
Heo: Visit the Website<http://club.cyworld.com/dreamhanbok>! Anyone who is interested in Hanboknolidan can become a member of the group. If you have worked once on its project from outside it, you are qualified for full membership.
ST: What Hanboknolidan activities do you remember most?
Heo: The members have been engaging in numerous activities, but what I remember most are those moments when the members were doing the flash mob in Hongik Univ., and when we made a music video at Times Square. The flash mob in Hongik Univ. was my first assignment as a member of Hanboknolidan. Nevertheless, I remember the activity as one of the most rewarding because 200 people actively participated in the event. Also, at Times Square, I was interviewed as a main character in one part of MBC Sesangboki Sisikakkak. That experience reinforced my sense of belonging to Hanboknolidan. In my last activity, Hanboknolidan made the music video “How Excited We Are (HeungiNaneunkuna).” It was made possible by our music-loving acquaintances. Last year, throughout the winter vacation, we filmed a music video. All of us were fully satisfied with the finished product.
ST: What is good and what is tough about engaging in the activities of Hanboknolidan?
Heo: Engaging in the activities of Hanboknolidan will offer you valuable chances to meet various people, and most of all, to learn more about hanbok. It’s a very enriching experience to inform other people of hanbok. In the process, however, because Hanboknolidan is not an expert club, we suffer from shortage of experience and support whenever we hold big events or buy very costly hanboks.
ST: Do you have something to say to those who are reluctant to wear hanboks?
Heo: Generally, people have a negative attitude towards hanbok because it’s too expensive and uncomfortable, and because they perceive it to be embarrassing to wear in public, but we are not supposed to think this way. Hanbok has been, is, and will be Korea’s traditional dress, for the Korean people. When the Japanese imperialists adopted the policy of obliterating the Korean culture, many Korean cultural heritages, including the hanbok, disappeared. As such, we now couldn’t see hanboks often,only in special occasions like holidays or wedding ceremonies. That’s because there is a very low demand for hanboks.We also see poorer hanbok patterns or styles compared to before. In Japan, wearing a yukata, the Japanese traditional clothing, has become common. Almost all South Koreans have gotten used to wearing Western clothing items,but we must remember that it is the hanbok that has our own spirit imprinted on it. The countries around the world acknowledge the beauty and superiority of our hanboks,so let’s familiarize ourselves with our very own hanboks!
During the Japanese colonial era, the hanboks were devalued. Now, we should once again seek the beauty and superiority of our hanboks. Why don’t you replant the uprooted hanbok culture? Through our interview with Huh Neung-kang, ST found out that Hanboknolidan is exerting multilateral efforts to do something about the South Koreans’ indifference to hanbok. Until all the South Koreans enjoy wearing hanboks, Hanboknolidan will continue doing its best to bring back the traditional Korean costume’s popularity. How about paying attention to Hanboknolidan’s activities and reconsidering hanboks as your main clothes instead of wearing them only for special events?
