'Hanbok,' our traditional attire, has met the colossal tide of the 'Korean Wave' (Hallyu) and taken center stage on the global platform. The <Hanbok Wave> project, driven by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Craft & Design Foundation (KCDF), creates new value for Hanbok by collaborating with influential Hallyu artists and talented designers every year.
Seoulicious introduces the four legendary muses of the 'Hanbok Wave' who have elicited the most enthusiastic responses from our readers.
1. The Prince, 2025 Park Bo-gum
"Blurring the Line Between Boy and Man, Expanding the Realm of Hanbok"Selected as the protagonist of 2025 amidst explosive interest, Park Bo-gum became the first-ever 'Male Muse' in Hanbok Wave history. Already recognized as the actor who suits Hanbok best through his role in Love in the Moonlight, he elevated the aesthetics of male Hanbok to its peak through this project—showcasing a coexistence of softness and strength. Park Bo-gum’s presence expanded the realm of Hanbok beauty, which had centered on women, into a genderless appeal that captivated fans worldwide.
2. Global Icon, 2023 Suzy
"A Christmas Gift Wrapped in Hanbok"From the 'Nation's First Love' to an undeniable 'Global Icon.' In 2023, Suzy was simply overwhelming. Her uniquely pure yet glamorous visage perfectly absorbed the vibrant colors of Hanbok like a canvas. In particular, her Hanbok pictorial filling the electronic billboards of New York's Times Square during the Christmas season proved that "tradition can be hip," acting as a catalyst for the MZ generation's craze for Hanbok.
3. Aura of Depth, 2024 Kim Tae-ri
"Clothed in Narrative, Adding Depth to Hanbok"The meeting with Kim Tae-ri in 2024 was a moment that added 'artistic depth' to Hanbok. Her eyes, filled with dramatic narrative, and her unique aura sublimated Hanbok from mere clothing into a piece of art. Under the theme "Lines of Allure, Layers of Dignity," Kim Tae-ri imprinted a heavy presence on the world, showcasing a dignified and restrained Korean beauty rather than mere flashiness.
4. The Queen, 2022 Yuna Kim
"The Beginning of the Wave and the Eternal Standard"At the very beginning of this flow stood the 'Figure Skating Queen,' Yuna Kim. Opening the first door of the Hanbok Wave, she demonstrated the 'standard' of the Hanbok fit with her inner strength forged by sports and her elegant silhouette. Her appearance, embroidering the London fashion show and New York Times Square, proved just how modern and sophisticated Hanbok can be. It remains a legendary pictorial that is still beloved by many today.
Editor’s View
Park Bo-gum’s breakthrough, Suzy’s glamour, Kim Tae-ri’s depth, and Yuna Kim’s classic elegance. Although the order may differ, what they have shown is singular: the conviction that the most Korean thing can be the most global thing. Seoulicious will continue to watch where this beautiful wave flows next.