Comparative Analysis of Traditional Korean Costume Hanbok Worn in the Early and Late 20th Century

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association 2001;39(4):1-18.

20 세기 초와 20 세기 말의 전통한복 착용 비교

김찬주¹, 홍나영², 유혜경¹, 이주현³

인천대학교 의생활학과¹, 이화여자대학교 의류직물학과², 연세대학교 의류환경학과³

Comparative Analysis of Traditional Korean Costume Hanbok Worn in the Early and Late 20th Century

김찬주¹, 홍나영², 유혜경¹, 이주현³

ABSTRACT

Korea huts been dramatically changed during the last century in many aspect of society, with the introduction of western culture in the beginning of 20th century. This study aims at understanding the changes in our traditional culture shown by costume as well as examining the aspects of the changes of traditional clothing according to age, by comparing the differences of our traditional dress Hanbok between ear1y and the late of the 20th century. Analysis of photographs showing Hanbok of both ages was used. 155 photographs of people wearing traditional Hanbok in the beginning of the 20th century were collected from the photo collection books portraying various living conditions of common people at that time. 748 Photographs of Hanbok worm today were obtained by taking pictures of various occasions like wedding ceremonies in 5 big cities during 1997. The process of analysis consists of 3 stages: setting standards, sorting, and grouping by positioning. The results showed that traditional Hanbok room in the early 20th century has maintained its basic silhouette and design during the century, but the methods of color coordination, ornamentation, construction have underdone many changes in detail. Consequently, traditional frame exits, but actually there are many variations of tradition produced by individual tastes and fashion trend. These changes show that continuing influx of the western culture which has made enormous social changes in Korea had an influence even on Hanbok.