An interview with a woman crazy about Hanbok

By Korea.net Honorary Reporter Cao Thi Huong

Video = Cao Thi Huong

I'm a big fan of anything Korean. I've participated in a lot of activities related to Korean this or Korean that. Since becoming an official "K-Culture Supporter" I've had many opportunities to wear traditional Korean Hanbok attire. I like Hanbok very much, but I think it's inconvenient to wear every day. Also, I don’t know much about Hanbok.

I’m lucky because I met Kwon Mi Ru, the leader of the Hanbok Traveler club. After her lecture about Hanbok, I got to know more about Hanbok. Moreover, I wore Hanbok and walked around the streets of Hanoi and then dined and spoke with her. That changed my mind about wearing Hanbok. We talked a lot about Hanbok, Korea and the things she has done.

Korea.net Honorary Reporter Cao Thi Huong (right) and Kwon Mi Ru (left) pose for a photo. (Cao Thi Huong)

1. How do you like Hanbok? What made you pick Hanbok to wear and to travel in?

In 2013, after attending an official "Wearing Hanbok" event as a volunteer, I bought my own set of Hanbok clothes. I then started all sorts of Hanbok activities, like Hanbok flash mobs, Hanbok picnics and Hanbok costume clubs. I realized that Hanbok, a traditional range of clothing, is not as uncomfortable as I thought.

So I wondered whether I could travel outside of Korea while wearing Hanbok. Starting in 2013, I started traveling just in Korea. I began traveling around the world in 2014. It discovered the possibility of traditional clothing styles and broke the prejudices inside my mind.

2. What does "Hanbok Traveler" mean? When did you start taking part in this group?

It started in 2013 when my activities wearing Hanbok began in earnest. In 2013, I made my first foray into wearing Hanbok while doing something. I started I travelling only in Hanbok.

Hanbok Traveler includes all the activities one does while wearing Hanbok. In 2014, I made  the Hanbok Traveler site and I worked as a columnist writing about doing things while wearing these types of clothes.

Kwon Mi Ru  is crazy about Hanbok. (Kwon Mi Ru)

3. If you don’t get this job, what’s your backup plan?

Currently, I meet university students and I work in consultation with groups of students. I manage a group of traditional projects called Hanbok Traveler. I'm enjoying some great interest in this job. I'm thinking of expanding my university major in relation to arts and education.

4. What inspires you? Who is your inspiration? Do you think you're journey can be inspirational to others? 

It's history. Hanbok clothes are the Korean history of life. We live in our own history, but I'm particularly interested in Hanbok clothes. Of course, studying the future of Hanbok styles in the past, we learn about history. Inspired by history and historical events, it's inspired by historical projects and historical traditions.

My trip was a struggle to break prejudices. Korea often seems to be ignorant of the importance of its traditions because we often neglect our traditions. It's not that every single person has to wear Hanbok all the time. My journey is just to feel this style of clothes for myself.

5. What changed in your life when you became famous?  What have you learned about yourself since you became famous?

I'm also the person in need of this society. I knew I could help people. I knew there was nothing impossible in the world. Just take a step forward after thinking about it.

6. What do you think about when you’re alone without your entourage?

If I'm alone, I tend to focus on social issues. So far, I try to conduct a trial version of the traditional Hanbok attire and traditional arts projects that people have never tried. They are also eager to learn about literature and materials related to traditions, and to create interesting content in the future.

7. What do you feel most proud about in your group?

I’m leading the "Traditional Culture Project Group Hanbok  Traveler" team. 

There are many people who stick together with a passion for such ancient style of clothes. I'm really proud that there are people who can enjoy living amidst the cultural heritage items that we have. I love people who love our cultural heritage items and appreciate their value.

Kwon travels around the world and takes pictures of herself wearing traditional Korean clothes. (Kwon Mi Ru)

8. What's the first thing you did when you became the leader? 

I broke the prejudices of the people, especially about Hanbok and other Korean traditions.

For example, I try on a new piece of Hanbok clothing everyday. I wear Hanbok clothes when giving interviews. I travel and go to dance parties while wearing Hanbok. 

9. Why you came to Hanoi? What did you do here? How did you feel? 

I was invited to Vietnam by the Korean Cultural Center in Vietnam to give a lecture about traditional Korean Hanbok attire for some of the regulars here at the cultural center. 

In Vietnam, I visted Hanoi and Sapa and had gave lectures about traditional Hanbok clothes at the Korean Cultural Center. I also had a picnic with some Vietnamese friends while wearing Hanbok.  

The people here knew all about Korea and traditional Korean clothes. They were amazing and I was amazed. I envy the Vietnamese who can wear the ao dai at graduation ceremonies or other ceremonies.

Kwon and members of the Vietnamese K-culture Supporters club wear Hanbok in Hanoi. (Korean Cultural Center in Vietnam)

10. If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why?

The South Pole, North Pole and Africa. I want to try and test the possibility of traditional Korean clothing.

11. If you had a chance for a do-over in life, what would you do differently? 

It I were to be able to live life again, it might just be like this life now. So far, I've had failures, but it has always been the best choice for me at that time.

12. How would you describe yourself in one word? 

Brilliant!

Here’s a video I did when I met Kwon.

wisdom117@korea.kr

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