My every first encounter with the Korean hanbok was when I watched the historical drama Dae Jang Geum on vcr. I did not think much of the national dress at the time, but I knew it was quite different from the traditional Chinese dresses that I have known. When I watched Dae Jang Geum, I remember being fascinated by the story of how a young peasant became the first female physician in the palace. The film portrayed the main character in a heroic light which translated feelings of envy to young viewers like me. A few hundred historical Korean dramas later, the Gyeongbokgung palace in Seoul has made it on my list of places to visit. When I am in Seoul this summer, I plan to wear the hanbok and take pictures like all the other asian tourists.
As Michael Hurt theorized in "Clothing, social empathy and the power of stepping into someone else's shoes," the reason why asian tourists wear the hanbok is because of social empathy. I agree with this theory because my want to wear the hanbok stems from wanting to become Dae Jang Geum. As I watch korean dramas till this day, there is an underlying urge to connect to the people and to the culture of Korea. This week's reading about social empathy through wearing another's national dress, made me wonder why other countries such as China is a bit more reserved with sharing national dress.
As Michael Hurt theorized in "Clothing, social empathy and the power of stepping into someone else's shoes," the reason why asian tourists wear the hanbok is because of social empathy. I agree with this theory because my want to wear the hanbok stems from wanting to become Dae Jang Geum. As I watch korean dramas till this day, there is an underlying urge to connect to the people and to the culture of Korea. This week's reading about social empathy through wearing another's national dress, made me wonder why other countries such as China is a bit more reserved with sharing national dress.
No comments:
Post a Comment