Hanbok Designer Wants NewJeans To Be Remembered As The Group Who Wore Hanbok Without Any Modifications

Recently, the hanbok designer for NewJeans shared their unique experience working with the group, stating how different the process was compared to other people she has worked with.

In the past, she revealed that most of the groups’ requests were the same and were usually geared towards a more trendy and flashy style.

“Honestly, famous idols from big companies wear hanboks at least once. Because hanboks are shown in magazines and news articles, they have just become something worn for an event or performance, so most artists wear them without knowing the background of the hanbok.

They wear it once, anyway. Having worked in this field for a long time, I sometimes receive requests from boy and girl idol groups, and most requests are the same.

It has to be comfortable for choreography and movement and trendy. For girls, having the shoulders out is comfortable…and a shorter design catches more attention. And they want all this in a hanbok. But when I receive these requests, I can’t do it because I can’t picture it. I couldn’t take on the requests then because this was way out of my skill level.”

But, after NewJeans reached out to them, they were surprised at their unique request.

“Then, last year, I had the opportunity to work with NewJeans for a photo shoot, and although it was short, I received a unique request from them. They asked to make a hanbok with colors that would look pretty on the girls in our style. I answered yes…but I was nervous as I was also a fan. I was so happy to be able to have the girls wear our hanbok brand, but I was also happy with the way they interacted and communicated with me. While communicating, they would send me photos and ask me what hanbok design this was, what type of jewelry knot it was, and if there was any historical data…it was a different type of interaction from other groups.

I wondered just how much they loved the girls as they checked on everything to make sure there were no problems and trusted me completely with the design without interruption. This made me even more of a fan, and the girls I saw on set were so pure and sweet, and I could see how much they were loved.”

But most importantly, they wanted to share that there were groups that actually put in the effort to learn and understand the history of the hanbok that they were wearing.

“But honestly, what I really really want to hear is not that they wore hanbok for the Gyeongbokgung stage, but that they wore the hanbok in its original state on stage. To my knowledge, I don’t think there was ever a girl group that knew the history and motive of the hanbok and wore it in its original form on stage.

I don’t know much about idols, and while the teaser video is an essential keyword for this event, it’s the fact that there are teams that understand how and why the hanbok is worn and work hard to show the best image.”

Netizens were touched that the group put in the effort to understand the history behind the outfits.

“Minji really suits the outfit.”
“They look like water fairies. So pretty and adorable.”
“Ah I see..I’m really starting to like NewJeans more.”
“I wish Minji would play a role in a traditional drama.”
“The hanboks are so pretty, they match well. The design team is really detailed.”
“Such a trendy group like NewJeans actually fits the hanbok image.”
“It’s so pretty that they wore the hanbok without changing anything to it.”
“They are like real fairies.”
“I’m touched by the meaningful design.”

Watch the full teaser video below to take a closer look at the hanbok design!