Above: K-Pop group Brave Girls wearing modern hanbok.

- Korean Fashion Exhibition (Feb. 22 – April 11)

- Unique Hanbok Experiences through K-Pop, Art, & Technology

- Photo Contest & Group Tour Programs

WHAT: Exhibition of tradition-inspired contemporary Korean fashion & fashion photo contest

WHO: K-Pop groups Brave Girls and DKB, virtual human model Rozy, and the Korea Craft & Design Foundation

WHEN: February 22 – March 25 April 11 (Exhibition extended!)

WHERE: Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. (2370 Massachusetts Ave. NW)

MORE: No appointment necessary. See the KCCDC Guide for Visitors to plan a visit. 

The Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. (KCCDC) is proud to present Hanbok Wave, a dynamic new exhibition of Korean contemporary fashion driven by the latest pop culture trends and inspired by hanbok, the centuries-old traditional attire of the Korean people.

Co-organized with the Korea Craft & Design Foundation and Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Hanbok Wave explores the surprising synergy of traditional Korean clothing and the worlds of K-Pop, art, technology, and high fashion.

The exhibition opening is also being celebrated with a special Hanbok Wave Photo Contest for U.S. residents, in which fans can submit a photo of themselves wearing a hanbok for a chance to win gift card prizes and VIP tickets to a special KCCDC event celebrating the 140th anniversary of Korea-U.S. ties later in 2022. Applicants are encouraged to incorporate Korean culture or a special setting into their photo entry, such as favorite Korean food, traditional pastimes, famous destinations, or scenes from a favorite Korean drama to maximize their chances. (For complete contest details, see below or the full event listing on the KCCDC website.)

Hanbok, instantly recognizable in Korea but long regarded exclusively as formal wear, has undergone a revitalization in recent years as Korean designers push creative boundaries, celebrate cultural identity, and collaborate with pop stars embracing tradition-inspired designs. Incorporating physical displays of clothing worn by K-Pop artists and user-oriented augmented reality software, this exhibition aims to demonstrate how these art forms inform, influence, and enhance one another.

Hanbok Wave is divided into three spheres of synergy: pop culture, art, and technology. Hanbok Meets K-Pop features 10 pieces worn by the group Brave Girls and the newly-debuted boy band DKB, including a digital fashion show projection. These modernized hanbok have been tailored for each individual in terms of fit and personal style. Here, one can envision each star performing on stage in hanbok.

Hanbok Meets Art presents a range of contemporary clothing styles created by top Korean designers in collaboration with cultural artists from different walks of life, imagining hanbok tailored for dancers, musicians, and Taekwondo practitioners. This section also features an installation art piece made from Hanji, another iconic Korean textile and a versatile form of traditional paper, that tracks hanbok’s evolution from ancient tradition to modern icon.

Hanbok Meets Technology introduces Rozy, Korea's first widely recognized virtual human model, and her own style of hanbok. Cast as a 22-year-old influencer, Rozy is part of the MZ generation (Millennials + Gen Z). The software behind Rozy analyzes faces digitally, allowing her to embody them herself, and her photo set wearing one designer’s signature hanbok was released through her SNS as part of the Hanbok Wave project; such technology innovations are helping redefine the modern fashion industry in Korea and abroad. This section also introduces Hanbok Effect, an AR (augmented reality) photo filter that allows people to experience hanbok virtually, with special gifts available on site for those who share their images via social media.

In addition to a multitude of contemporary styles, visitors can also learn about traditional Korean hanbok, how it is worn, and its storied history through informational materials and multimedia.

Select local groups with connections to Korea will also be invited to tour the exhibition, including K-Pop fan clubs, Korean language learners, and diplomatic families. Other interested groups can also schedule their own tour, optionally in conjunction with participation in the KCCDC’s regular Befriend Korea Program, which introduces Korea more broadly in a presentation format (for more information, visit the “Outreach Program” section of the KCCDC website).

Hanbok Wave will remain on view Feb. 22 through April 11 (extended date) at the KCCDC (10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. weekdays). No appointment is necessary but guests should review the guide for visitors on the KCCDC website.

About Hanbok

Hanbok is the traditional attire of the Korean people. Often considered formal wear reserved for special occasions, hanbok has undergone a creative and popular revival in recent years. At its core are the graceful shapes and vibrant colors that continue to impact modern fashion. New fabrics and practical features are also updating hanbok in step with the latest trends and designer styles.

The unique lines of hanbok are best appreciated when the wearer is in motion. A distinguishing feature is the overall shape, often having a slim top and wide bottom. The flexible skirt imparts gracefulness by hiding the movements of the lower body, the wearer appearing to float on air. Hanbok fabric is also colored using natural dyes and hanbok are made for both men and women.

Just like formal wear elsewhere, most Koreans keep their hanbok ready for appropriate occasions. Nowadays, hanbok have also become the attire of choice for many tourists, pop stars, and boutique fashion designers in Korea who have adapted traditional styles for modern, everyday use. Love for hanbok runs deep among the people of Korea both historically and today.

Hanbok Wave Photo Contest

Download the Overview & Application Form HERE!

Show off your love of hanbok by entering the Hanbok Wave Photo Contest! Participation is open to all U.S. residents and entries can be submitted throughout the exhibition period (Feb. 22 – March 25), with results announced in early April 2022. Four winning entries will receive Amazon gift card prizes (one gold winner: $500, one silver winner: $300, and two bronze winners: $100 each) as well as official award certificates.

Applicants can submit one photo each, as an individual or as a group, showcasing themselves wearing hanbok in any setting. Photos should be original and not in violation of any copyright or other ownership conditions. Evaluation of entries will be done by the contest organizers and evaluation criteria will include level of expression, artistry, creativity, and compatibility with the theme of Korean culture; photos that express Korean culture or cultural experiences and demonstrate the contestant’s embrace of it will receive extra points.

By submitting an entry, contestants grant the KCCDC the right to use their entry photo in possible promotional materials or for publication, in print or online, including on social media platforms and video host websites.

To enter the contest, applicants should email one photo file (jpg, jpeg, png file format) and one completed copy of the entry form (.docx file), which can be found on the KCCDC website under the full event listing, to koreaculturedc@gmail.com with the email subject line and photo and form file names in the following format: “Hanbok Wave_Applicant Last Name, Applicant First Name”. In order to be considered, image files should be off sufficient detail and quality for publication, but there is no minimum or maximum file size.

Above: K-Pop group Brave Girls wearing modern hanbok.

Above: Nine-member K-Pop group DKB wearing modern hanbok.

Above: K-Pop group Brave Girls member Eunji wearing modern hanbok.