Designer Lee Il-soon of Geumdanje, who plays a leading role in introducing traditional Korean culture and highlighting the value of our heritage, will hold a special exhibition.
The special exhibition titled 'Life's Seasons - From Cradle to Sky, Suui' will take place from June 4 to July 27 at Chuihandang in Samcheonggak, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul. It will showcase a variety of traditional clothing, including the bae-nat-jeogori, clothing for the hundred days celebration, first birthday, wedding attire, and suui, all of which must be worn at significant moments in our lives. The beautiful colors of hanbok, which are worn during the important seasons of our lives such as the birth of a new life, joyous wedding festivities, and the day of ascending to the sky, will be on display.
Set against the beautiful backdrop of Bukaksan, the exhibition unfolds at Chuihandang, where the most striking feature is the beautiful silk suui. The soft yet luxurious colors of the silk suui catch the eye. Complementing this are beautiful shoes that appear adorned with flower motifs.
Designer Lee Il-soon said, "Typically, a leap month occurs every four years, but this year’s leap month arrives just three years later, making it a unique month that only comes once in a century. Historically, special outfits were prepared during leap months. The leap month, considered a month free of misfortune, is a favorable time to progress and prepare for significant events in life. The suui prepared during this time carries the meaning of wishing for health and long life for the elders and peace after death." The leap month of 2025 will be from July 25 to August 22, which corresponds to the lunar June.
He also noted, "It would be nice to share stories and meanings about hanbok, which are worn during significant life seasons, while feeling the cool mountain breeze and sounds of birds inside Chuihandang. I hope visitors can deeply experience and enjoy the depth and beauty of our traditional culture."
Designer Lee Il-soon of Geumdanje has established himself as a master of traditional hanbok in Korea, having walked this path for 30 years. He has showcased traditional hanbok in numerous dramas and films, including 'The Throne,' 'Like a Butterfly,' 'The King's Affection,' Netflix's 'Kingdom: Ashin of the North,' and KBS drama 'Red Heart.' Recently, he gained attention for being the creator of the pink hanbok worn by actress Moon So-ri in the Netflix drama 'When Life Gives You Tangerines,' which left a deep impression on viewers.
He also serves as a cultural diplomacy envoy, traveling between major countries. In celebration of the 140th anniversary of Korea-U.S. diplomatic relations in 2022, he successfully presented a hanbok fashion show at the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Seattle, and in 2024, he promoted the beauty of hanbok to the world in Italy, known as the birthplace of fashion. In a fashion show held in Rome, commemorating the 140th anniversary of Korea-Italy diplomatic relations and the 2024-2025 Korea-Italy Mutual Cultural Exchange Year, he received high praise for showcasing "an indescribable beauty."
[Photo] Geumdanje
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