Recently, 'Hotel Shilla's Hanbok case' caused a furor. This was caused by Hotel Shilla's Hanbok policy, and that policy excluded a customer wearing Korean traditional costume from entering. Hotel Shilla said that Hanbok was prohibited  because 'The dangerous clothing' could interfere with other customers' moving in the line in the restaurant. However, what is the Hanbok? If you're a Korean, you should be proud of it that shows our traditional style and grace. But, is it really dangerous to others? I felt sorry about this situation, so I wore it at DKU. During the day, I tried it on, and participated school life!

In the morning of the event, as soon as I arrived at school, I changed into Hanbok. And then I went to college with the promoting picket that I had made. It was not different to my normal daily life, but everything was going to be special. Students were not only  surprised at me but also hesitated to walk together with me. In fact, I was very worried about wearing it because I'm so shy. Whenever I make a presentation, I sometimes cry, or my face becomes red all at once. So I was worried about wearing it in school. However, there is a famous proverb, fine feathers make fine birds! As soon as I wore Hanbok, my shyness disappeared at once. I wore a rainbow-colored coat and a red skirt which most of Korean women want to wear. In that day, my classmates continuously said, "You are wearing the most beautiful dress in the world! Bravo!"

Wearing it, I had taken a major class. As soon as I walked into the classroom, every student looked at me. Some students continuously asked me why I was wearing it. I know their embarrassment, but I think that Hanbok still has a long way to go before it is fully practiced in Korean life. People think it is just a pie in the sky, so they recognized it is a difficult dress. However, I can say from personal experience that Hanbok was living and breathing dress. The fabrics is light, cool and very practical. It was not unusual for many people wearing it in daily life. During a lesson, a professor gave me a chance to promote the Hanbok, I did not pass up the opportunity. I spoke so loudly as to be heard by everyone, "I love Hanbok. Today, to promote this beautiful Hanbok, I decided to wear it myself. Please love it. Thank you!" When I sat down, students broke into applause. And then, the professor said, "the Hanbok is the pride of Korea. I think that wearing it in daily life is a good idea I hope students will wear it frequently." After my presentation, I was proud of being a Korean, more and more.

After taking it off, I proved that Hotel Shilla's Hanbok policy is wrong. It judged Hanbok as dangerous clothing. It made an impetuous decision. I think that’s very unfortunate. I wore Hanbok myself, so I think that it has practicality and lofty elegance. One of the netizens said about this accident, 'If we don't know the value of ours, nobody appreciates the value of ours'. So, like his saying, we have to know the value of ours so that others recognized ours. And in that sense, why don’t you wear Hanbok? If you do, you wearing the most beautiful clothes in the world! I wish I could see wearing it frequently. I love Hanbok!

 

Sun-Hee Lee  dkherald@gmail.com