Before I really believe in my writing prowess without sarcasm, today I'll be talking about that time we went to a palace in full Hanbok-sans the traditional shoes.
In planning this trip, we categorized each day to a theme where our 2nd day was all about 🍃nature🍃 then this 3rd day was supposed to be about ✨culture✨. What better way to embrace South Korean culture than going to Geongbok palace wearing a beautiful Hanbok?
Like our 2nd day, we start this day early following the advice from a former colleague who has been in Korea a couple of weeks before me that it's best to go to the Hanbok rental shops earlier than the crowd to be able to have better choices of Hanbok, and be able to avail of the hairstyling service 🫰 Good thing we followed the advice because when we returned to the rental shops at around 12 noon it was soooo FULL that there's already a queue to the changing booths!
Other extra items that are not included in our package are the purses which we rented out for 200 Korean won, and traditional shoes which we didn't avail that's why we don't know the price lol
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| Last minute checks before we head to the palace grounds |
We arrived just in time for the changing of the guards! I just remember how awful the accent of the English translator who was explaining what's happening to the crowd! It sounds like the meme "Number 15 burger king foot lettuce" here!
Oh wait, better yet I'll show you here:
Hahahahaha!
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| I look like my niece here uwu 🫰😂 |
Eventually I have let go of my hair from its braided wonder since wisps start to poke out from my hair anyway.
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| Overexposed hahahahah! |
We have only rented out these garments for 2 hours, and since we have already spent an hour and a half taking photos in the palace grounds we weren't able to visit other places like the Bukchon village.
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| This one was taken before we return our garments 🫰 |
To sum it all up, here are some tips I can give to those who want to try this experience in the future:
✓ Wear something solid underneath: Especially in the winter, best to wear a thermal underneath because it tends to get cold even if you feel like you are already bundled up. If ever you go in a warmer season, it's still best to wear something solid colored underneath since the skirt kinda opens up in the back and when it does you get to see the petticoat which is not as opaque as you think it is.
✓ If you don't want to rent out a purse, bring a cute small bag instead: Since the garment doesn't have pockets, it's best to bring a purse to put your phone, camera, wallet, and lipstick.
✓ Wear comfortable shoes: Aside from the fact that it's a far stretch to go from the rental shops to the palace grounds, the terrain also changes from cement, sand, and even uneven rocks! I wore my Dr. Martens that day and it spared my feet from additional pain.✓ Be friendly: In this way you can ask someone to take a quick snap of you and your friends- in turn you must also do the same for them 🫰
✓ Go early! : How early, you ask? Be there at around 8-9 am! When we got there we were the first ones so we were able to really have our time picking which hanbok to wear and also have our hair styled 👏
And that's it pansit! It was a nice experience that I would like to do again in the future with my mom or my boyfriend 💕 Saranghae 🫰
Love Always,
Nicole
