unicorns are real: How I became a princess for 20 minutes at Bukchon Hanok Village

Bukchon Hanok Village is a Korean traditional village, and according to Wikipedia, it has a long history located between Gyeongbok Palace, Chadeok Palace and Jongmyo Royal Shrine. The traditional village is composed of lots of alleys, hanok (Korean traditional houses) and is preserved to show a 600 year old urban environment. Now it is used as a traditional culture centre and hanok restaurant, allowing visitors to experience the atmosphere of the Joseon Dynasty.

From Changdeokgung Palace, it is about a 5-10 minute walk going to the Bukchon Hanok Village Information Center.

There are a lot of restaurants along the way. Perfect time to fuel up after that walkathon at the palace!

Good golly, a yoga studio! I swear, I almost abandoned all plans going to Bukchon Hanok Village and was tempted to enroll in a class. Ganun ako madaling madistract haha!

Challenge accepted!

Dessert and coffee shops

Direction

Kimchi anyone?

Bukchon Hanok Village's walking tour

Once you find the Information Center, you will be given a map. There are so many interesting things to see and do at the Hanok Village

A nearby school since Hanok Village is still a residential area

Aaah, the inexplicable bliss of just wandering around an unfamiliar place with just a map in hand.

TDF alleys!

There are several workshops available that you can sign up for.

lovely doors

me outside a quaint cafe shop

Flower making lessons

Sadako might come out?

This was an alley that I happen to pass by. You wouldn't notice it at first. There was nothing spectacular...no signage that tells you that there is something of interest here. But since I was such a curious cat, I was intrigued and found myself exploring this alley.

And this is where I had a chance meeting with the Masterhand Lee So-Jeong.

I rang the doorbell and I was greeted by a cheerful old woman.

She only spoke Korean and could understand little to no English. I bowed out of courtesy and she smiled and gestured for me to come in while saying something in Korean.

I didn't have a clue what she was saying! (Imagine how awkward I felt going into someone's home and we couldn't even converse!) She then took out her mobile phone to open an App then she spoke something in Korean and it translated what she wanted to say: "Where did you come from?" She beamed with excitement when I told her I'm from the Philippines.

She invited me inside and showed me all her beautiful hanbok works!

Hanbok (in South Korea) or Choson-ot (in North Korea) is the traditional Korean dress. Hanbok today often refers to hanbok of Joseon Dynasty and is worn as semi-formal or formal wear during traditional festivals and celebrations (source: Wikipedia).

Lee So-Jeong is a Korean Masterhand and one that has continued to preserve this beautiful tradition and craftsmanship for decades. She has received numerous awards and recognition that she displays in and around her home.

She gave me this brochure and she is actually a prominent figure in the culture sector.

Where beautiful things are made

All her beautiful and colorful creations

Meeting her and being warmly welcomed into her home was truly an honor. Having her dress me up was just beyond the moon!!!

The artist herself. So feeling donya talaga ako habang binibihisan niya ako haha!

She was very meticulous when she was dressing me up. Like she wanted it perfect and beautiful. I felt like a doll in her hands!

She showed me a picture of herself way back when

And voila!!!!

If you are like me who isn't familiar or who does not watch Korean telenovelas, I learned that not all hanboks are created equal. During the Joseon Dynasty, the kind of hanbok you wear tells about one's social status.

There are different hanboks for royalty, upper class, and for the common people.

For royalty, the symbol of one's rank is found on the hem. The queen would have a phoenix symbol while the princesses would have the floral design.

Upper class and royalty would wear bright colors such as red, yellow and blue.

Hanboks for the common folks back in the days would usually wear white and had simple designs.

Ang hirap na hindi mag-smile! She told me not to smile for this photo. Para daw regal???

She told me that she chose for me a hanbok worn by royalty…a Princess!!! Yeeeeee!!! Syempre kinilig ako. Oracle ba siya at nakita niya past life ko? HAHAHA! That made me feel giddy inside!

The design in the middle and on the hem tells you your rank in the royal court. This particular design is worn by princesses.

It's so puffy! Now I know how Disney princesses feel in their big puffy dresses

The hanbok is actually quite comfortable to wear. Whether you're skinny or plump, it has a lot of room and does not restrict the body. But I found it a bit hard to walk around due to the length and weight of the different layers of garment on me.

I had fun wearing them and Lee So-Jeong kept directing me where to pose and how to pose (trigger happy lang!).

She proudly showed me all the beautiful clothes she made. She even took me to another hanok that displays the more expensive dresses, including those worn for weddings and other formal occasions. They were all so pretty and lovely! I was busy admiring them that I forgot to take photos.

I had an awesome time! She was so friendly and cheerful. I wished I knew how to speak Korean, I bet she would have told me all sorts of stories.

After my princess dress-up, I proceeded exploring the rest of Bukchon Hanok Village.

It's a climb!!

I've noticed most of Seoul's roads follow the topography of the land. So I've experienced my share of steep climbs.

The cowboys in red are the Tourist Information guides. They will help you if you find yourself lost, or if you need help getting to a particular place.

Saw this guy in front of his house selling something. It's actually caramelized sugar and it was soooo yummy!! Talk about sugar rush!

I found a road sign that says "To Bukchon Observatory."
Going up the observatory will cost you krW5,000 and a FREE drink (either hot coffee or orange juice). They also have free Wifi hehe!

Honestly, not much to see at the Observatory since you only see the the roofs of the traditional houses. But nevertheless, still a sight to see and behold. I appreciated seeing these traditional houses with the modern skyscrapers as the backdrop.

More explorations!

There are several coffee shops tucked in hidden alleys around the Hanok Village

After walking around the village, I saw this "karinderya" with a lot of people lining up. I got curious and thought that whatever they were selling must be really delicious!