Dangui (당의) Royal Court Hanbok Dress

We supposed to come back in the evening from Muju. We didn't have any plans after lunch, so we decided to find a nearby attraction around the hotel. From the map it seems like Unhyeongung is walkable from Center Mark Hotel. But, we decided to take the subway from Jonggak to Anguk Station.

Check out this video if you want to know how to purchase a Subway Ticket...

Arrived in Anguk Station, looked high and low... 

walked here and there  to search for the Palace.

We didn't see anything that look like Palace although the map clearly stated it's here. Do you know why we couldn't find it?

 Because we're expecting it to look like Gyeongbokgung or Changdeokgung.

Unhyeonggung is also a Palace (Gung = Palace).

We gave up and asked someone for help! And he answered...

"Uh huh?! 네, 여기다! Yes, You're here!!"

Aigoo~ really 'lose my face' I was so embarrassed leh!

Entrance Fee: 700 Won / Adult.

The palace will offer free admission starting on March 20, 2014 

in accordance with the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s 

partial revision of the Local Cultural Heritage Protection Act.

 

 

The counter staff asked whether we wanted to rent a Hanbok costume.

It costs 3,300 Won for 15 minutes.

  

이모 (Imo) bought us to the room behind this tree and she selected 

this Hanbok for me based on my size.

I didn't dare to ask her whether I can choose the other Hanbok dress though this Hanbok seems too girlish / princess for me because Imo's face looked quite fierce.

I didn't take off my turtle neck blouse, because Imo said it's cold outside. Then she helped me to wear the Hanbok. She kept complimenting my look, my height and said that I looked like a Korean. Without much face expression she mumbled yeppeuda yeppeuda after I wore it. I kept saying thank you...

Then suddenly her face became more serious and complained that my husband is a bit too fat! I just couldn't stop laughing... LOL!

She asked me to tie my hair and she lent me a hair rubber band. Maybe she didn't like my curly lion hair. After that she reminded us that we had 15 minutes to return the hanbok there.

 

This Hanbok is called Dangui (당의). It's also called dang-jeogori (당저고리), 

dang-jeoksam (당적삼), or dang-hansam (당한삼).

Dangui is a type of upper garment traditional hanbok for women, which was worn 

as simple official outfit for ceremonial occasions during the Joseon Dynasty. 

 It's also known as Royal Court garment, as court ladies wore it as their daily dresses.

The characteristics of Dangui is to emphasize the beauty of Hanbok’s curvy lines. 

 

 The form of Dangui is similar to that of Jeogori, the length of 

both the front and back is triple to that of Jeogori. 

 Sleeves of Dangui are narrow. The side seams are open to 

the armpit, and the hem is curved.

     

Court matron (Sanggung) or Lady-in-waiting (Gungnyeo) usually wear Dangui  

just like the Queens or Princesses, but with no Geumbak or gold patterns. 

Sanggung usually wears a dark shade of jade Dangui.

  

 Geumbak is a traditional Korean craft for applying extremely 

thin gold leaf on hanbok or other fabrics for decoration.

 

  The Queen Mother, Queen Consort and Crown Princess wore Dangui 

with attached ‘Hyungbae' (흉배 = Mandarin Square) placed on the 

chest,  shoulders and the back of the robe. However, Dangui for 

Concubines and Court Ladies don't have Hyungbae on it.

During the early Joseon Dynasty, the robe color was the only reflection 

to one’s rank inside the government: Red (1st senior to 3rd senior rank), 

Blue (3rd junior to 6th junior rank), and Green (7th junior to 9th junior rank).

 

but soon they begun to adapt Hyungbae from the dynasties in China.   

The rank badge, or Hyungbae is made up of embroidered cloud patterns and animals. Cranes for the civil officers and hopyo, a Tiger-Leopard mythical animal for military officers. Hyungbae with two animals are for 1st to 3rd rank and those with single animal are for the 4th to 9th rank. (source)

A queen’s clothing carried the phoenix symbol. Princesses and 

Royal Concubines’ clothes decorated with floral pattern.

 

For the ultimate sign of luxury, only royalty were allowed to wear 

gold-colored clothing or gold-colored trimming, 

whereas non-royalty wore plain dangui.

 15 minutes over... Run~!!!

That's also one of the reasons why I love Hanbok.

No problem even you run or climb big steps with it ^^

Although Imo's face quite fierce, but she's very kind.

She asked us to take more photos here when we

entered the room...

She even offered to snap photos for us...

I love this photo so much!

 Then asked us to take more photos outside...

 and told me to pose like this...

 and volunteered herself to be our photographer ^^

  So, besides of about 15 photos of myself in Dangui 

around Unhyeongung Palace...

We have additional these lovely and cute couple photos~^^

 Thank you so much Imo for these beautiful and memorable photos! ^^

 

 Stay tune for next posting about Unhyeongung Palace...

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Gorgeous Gisaeng Hanbok vs Fanciful Fusion Hanbok

 
Fusion Hanbok (퓨전한복)

 

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