Actor Park Bo-gum, one of South Korea’s most recognizable leading men, has made history as the first male celebrity to front Harper’s Bazaar Korea‘s Hanbok Special Edition. The five covers, released this week, showcase Korea’s centuries-old traditional attire in a contemporary fashion setting, underscoring how the country is reintroducing its heritage to a global audience.
The shoot is part of Hanbok Wave, a government-backed initiative launched in 2020 that pairs top designers with Korean entertainers to modernize and globalize the traditional garment. Last year’s edition featured actress Kim Tae-ri; this year, Park became the first male chosen to represent the campaign.
Park worked with four local brands-Dadadah Hanbok, Murut, One Origin, and Hanbok Moon-not only modeling their pieces but also participating in the design process. The result blends the elegance of classical silhouettes with experimental details aimed at making Hanbok resonate with younger and international consumers.
Speaking in an interview with the magazine, Park said he hoped to highlight the “lines and grace” of Hanbok through his performance in front of the camera. He praised the designers for “reimagining Hanbok in such beautiful ways” and called the experience an honor.
Park ‘s participation reflects his broader career trajectory. He recently hosted the KBS music talk program The Seasons: Park Bo-gum’s Cantabile and described it as a chance to bring audiences closer to artists. In acting, he pointed to his latest series Good Boy-an action-heavy drama-as a turning point that broadened his range.
Hanbok, once reserved for ceremonial occasions, has become part of Korea’s cultural export strategy alongside K-pop and K-dramas. Through projects like Hanbok Wave, Seoul hopes to position the garment as both a symbol of heritage and a commercial fashion item. Park’s covers, along with a 40-page spread and accompanying fashion film, are available through Harper’s Bazaar Korea.
Korean Star Park Bo-gum Brings Tradition to the Runway With Harper’s Bazaar Hanbok Covers
Actor Park Bo-gum, one of South Korea’s most recognizable leading men, has made history as the first male celebrity to front Harper’s Bazaar Korea‘s Hanbok Special Edition. The five covers, released this week, showcase Korea’s centuries-old traditional attire in a contemporary fashion setting, underscoring how the country is reintroducing its heritage to a global audience.
The shoot is part of Hanbok Wave, a government-backed initiative launched in 2020 that pairs top designers with Korean entertainers to modernize and globalize the traditional garment. Last year’s edition featured actress Kim Tae-ri; this year, Park became the first male chosen to represent the campaign.
Park worked with four local brands-Dadadah Hanbok, Murut, One Origin, and Hanbok Moon-not only modeling their pieces but also participating in the design process. The result blends the elegance of classical silhouettes with experimental details aimed at making Hanbok resonate with younger and international consumers.
Speaking in an interview with the magazine, Park said he hoped to highlight the “lines and grace” of Hanbok through his performance in front of the camera. He praised the designers for “reimagining Hanbok in such beautiful ways” and called the experience an honor.
Park ‘s participation reflects his broader career trajectory. He recently hosted the KBS music talk program The Seasons: Park Bo-gum’s Cantabile and described it as a chance to bring audiences closer to artists. In acting, he pointed to his latest series Good Boy-an action-heavy drama-as a turning point that broadened his range.
Hanbok, once reserved for ceremonial occasions, has become part of Korea’s cultural export strategy alongside K-pop and K-dramas. Through projects like Hanbok Wave, Seoul hopes to position the garment as both a symbol of heritage and a commercial fashion item. Park’s covers, along with a 40-page spread and accompanying fashion film, are available through Harper’s Bazaar Korea.
