Gyeongbokgung Palace sparks controversy over Chinese influencers wearing Hanfu

Chinese influencers are facing criticism for filming social media content at Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul while wearing Hanfu, traditional Chinese clothing. In one video, an influencer reportedly stated, “I have come to Korea. Let us promote Chinese culture to the world,” while dressed in Hanfu against the backdrop of the Korean palace.

Professor Seok Kyung-duk of Sungshin Women's University raised concerns that while tourists are free to wear their own traditional attire, the dissemination of such content on global platforms like TikTok, Weibo, and Xiaohongshu could cause cultural confusion. He noted that Hanbok and Hanfu are distinct garments with different historical backgrounds, and there is a risk that international viewers might mistake Hanfu for Korean traditional clothing.

This follows a previous incident where a visitor dressed in attire reminiscent of a Chinese emperor was seen near Gwanghwamun. Critics argue that such actions, when combined with claims that Hanbok originated from Hanfu, contribute to cultural distortion. Professor Seok urged influencers to respect the history and culture of other nations as a matter of global etiquette.