Chinese Influencers Stroll Through Gyeongbokgung in Hanfu: "Foreigners May Mistake It for Hanbok"

Filming at Gyeongbokgung Palace in Hanfu...
"Concerns Over Confusion with Hanbok"
"Need to Develop Global Manners That Respect the History and Culture of Other Countries"

Controversy has arisen as Chinese influencers have been posting photos and videos on social networking services (SNS) of themselves visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace while wearing Hanfu, traditional Chinese attire.

A Chinese influencer is taking photos with foreign tourists at Gyeongbokgung Palace. Screenshot from Professor Seokyoungduk's Instagram (@seokyoungduk).

Professor Seo Kyung-duk of Sungshin Women's University stated on August 20 that he had received relevant reports from netizens. He commented, "It is understandable for people to wear their traditional clothing while traveling in South Korea," but pointed out, "The problem is that foreign tourists may mistake Hanfu for Hanbok."

Professor Seo emphasized, "Korea's Hanbok and China's Hanfu are clearly distinct garments," adding, "It is an even greater issue when Chinese influencers make videos of themselves wearing Hanfu and walking around Gyeongbokgung Palace, then upload these to SNS."

Hanbok, the traditional Korean attire, consists primarily of a jeogori (jacket) with a skirt or pants, and has developed in various forms depending on the period and social status. Hanfu, on the other hand, is traditional Han Chinese clothing. These two garments were shaped by different historical and cultural backgrounds.

Some Chinese netizens have persistently argued that Hanbok originated from Hanfu, labeling Korea as a "cultural thief country" in ongoing online debates. There has also been controversy as major Chinese online shopping platforms have classified and sold Hanbok and Hanfu as the same product.

Professor Seo stressed, "This is not the first time such incidents have occurred at Gyeongbokgung Palace," and insisted, "Chinese influencers must develop global manners by first respecting the history and culture of other countries."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.