Exotic Korean Drum Dances

August 15, 2013

This week on KWOW, Professor Oh explains the drum dancing featured in 2NE1's "I'm the Best" and "Gu Family Book."

Feel the beat of the vibrant 5-drum dance (ogomu/오고무). The female players spin, jump, kneel and bend backwards as they hit the drums. Time to break out in some colorful sweat!

A shiny, abstract version of the 3-drum dance (samgomu/삼고무) appears in 2NE1's "I'm the Best" at 2:47.

Many, many, many drummers! Up, down and all around!

Stay tuned for our special 100th episode of KWOW next Wednesday! Granny Kim is cooking up something spicy.

8 American Celebrities Wearing Hanbok

July 25, 2013

Britney Spears wearing hanbok by Park Sul-nyeo.

Paris Hilton with the cast members of "Infinity Challenge." The person all the way to the right is a man (Park Myeongsu) dressed as a female!

Jessica Alba with Baek Jiyeon at the film session for"People Inside." Alba's hanbok is made by Kim MeHee.

Tennis players Maria Kirilenko and Venus Williams

Sandara Oh at the SAG awards. Hanbok by Kim MeHee.

Nicky Hilton at Seoul’s Coex Intercontinental Hotel to launch her clothing line. Her hanbok is also produced by Kim MeHee.

Football player Hines Ward with his mother

Want to learn more about hanbok? Watch the introduction episode of this subject:

Today's "Traditional" Hanbok

July 17, 2013

The traditional hanbok indicated status. Wearing bright colored hanbok once symbolized royalty and upper class. Dull colors were reserved for commoners and their special occasions. Fast forward to the present-day. Nowadays anyone can wear anything as long as they have the money. In addition bright colors are at times seen as garish while dull colors can appear more sophisticated. Fashion designers continue to make traditional hanbok, but have fused them with their artistic vision.

The following hanbok are produced out of creative expression more than from today's functionality. There are other types of hanbok modern Koreans wear for special occasions such as Lunar New Years and doljanchi (baby's first birthday).

Blog

Exotic Korean Drum Dances

8 American Celebrities Wearing Hanbok

Today's "Traditional" Hanbok