Back to 2018, do you remember the hit Korean tv show 'Mr.Sunshine'? Of course it's fiction, but it coupled with the timing, evoked nostalgia for the the time of enlightenment. Also the show was full of interesting things to see.

There are many things to see and enjoy near Jongno, Seoul, and Ikseon-dong has already been famous for its concept of 'Gyeongseong(Old name of Seoul) Style', which marks the time of enlightenment of Korean Empire(1897~1910). As Hanbok is popular among foreigners visiting Korea, for those lining in the present, the sense of the flowering period is another thing to enjoy that connects tradition withe the present.

In Ikseon-dong, there is a place where you can rent clothes that you can enjoy in your mood by wearing the cloths of 'flowering period'. It's called 'Gyeongseong Clothes'. I interviewed the owner and asked him to allow me take some picture of the store and introduce this place.

Gyeongseong Clothes does not only lend clothes, but also props that give you the feeling of that period. Of course, it would be great if each of us prepared props, but it might be a hassle to prepare everything ourselves. It is a well-prepared place to enjoy the moment.

During the interview, I asked guests I met to let me take a picture of their back. I've adjusted the color tone little bit. What do you think? Does it feel like flowering period?

The place I interviewed was 'The Second Hall' of Gyeongseong Clothes, As I would like to visit the first hall later on.

There is also a studio inside so you can dress up and take pictures in front of a nice background. It's a nice interior with a great concept that you can take pictures anywhere in the store.

The clothes they lend here are managed according to their own conditions, and the main principle is that 'do not reuse cloths before washing'.

Cleanliness is more important in 2020. I saw them collecting used clothes right away and put them into a separate laundry area. It may seem to be usual, but I feel more trust in them because they do not miss the basic things.

I purposely took the black-and-white film with me to make it look more like 100 years ago, but I forgot to take the tripod. So, I couldn't take much photos. However, I could capture the good feeling of the place in film.

https://kyungsungclothes.modoo.at

As it's written on the Gyeongseong Clothes website, it's 30,000 won for three hour rental. 3 hours is enough to take a walk in Ikseon-dong, but if you want to walk around Changdeokgung Palace for a while, you'd better think about renting six hours for 40,000 won.

Address: 30th floor of Donhwamun-ro 11-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

It's within 5 minutes walk from exit 4 of Jongno 3-ga station on line 5. If you want to look around Ikseon-dong, I'd like to personally recommend this place!