At Hanbok That Day, you can trade Seoul’s modern streets for the layered skirts, bright colors, and old stone gates of Gyeongbokgung Palace. I like two things in particular: you can choose from traditional and fusion outfits, and a professional photographer can help you turn the outing into more than a quick phone snapshot.
The main catch is that photoshoots and styling vary by package. The entry-level rental starts at $11.25, but it does not buy the same experience as a premium outdoor shoot. Read the option details before booking, arrive early, and remember that makeup is not included in the listed packages.
- At a glance
- Choosing a hanbok near Gyeongbokgung Palace
- From the fitting room to the palace gates
- What the photoshoot adds
- Comparing the packages and their value
- Making the timing work
- Who will enjoy this experience most
- Should you book Hanbok That Day?
- FAQ
- Where is Hanbok That Day?
- Does every hanbok rental include a photoshoot?
- Is makeup included?
- When will I receive the photos?
- What days is the shop open?
- How early should I arrive?
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At a glance
- A palace visit in hanbok: Wear your rental around Gyeongbokgung Palace and its historic gates and walls.
- Several ways to book: Choose a basic rental, indoor shoot, outdoor shoot, or luxury package.
- Photographer guidance: The photographer directs poses and helps you feel at ease in front of the camera.
- Plenty of outfit choice: Traditional, fusion, and premium designs are available, with sizes from XS to 3XL.
- Plan for the photo delivery wait: Edited images are sent by email, and some customers received theirs about a week later.
- A convenient starting point: The shop is about a seven-minute walk from Anguk Station’s Exit 1 and close to the palace.
👉 See our pick of the 25 Best Guided Tours In Seoul
Choosing a hanbok near Gyeongbokgung Palace
The first decision is which outfit you want to wear. Hanbok That Day offers traditional, fusion, and premium rental options, with a selection of colors, patterns, and accessories. Staff can help match the top and skirt if you are stuck between choices. That is useful: a hanbok’s color pairing can be less obvious on a hanger than it looks once the outfit is on.
The available size range is XS to 3XL for men and women, and child hanbok is offered from age one. Men’s options may be fewer than women’s, so couples or families should keep that in mind if matching outfits matter to you. The designs and selection can also depend on the package grade. If you have a particular style in mind, check what your chosen rental includes before you pay.
Dressing and basic hairstyling are part of the listed inclusions, along with accessories, an inner skirt, and a locker. The basic hair service is not the same as a full traditional hairstyle. A Korean-style hair arrangement costs an extra KRW 5,000, and trying an additional hanbok set costs KRW 3,000. Makeup is not included. Some packages refer to makeup as an add-on, so check the precise terms and price when selecting one.
Wear light, comfortable clothes under the hanbok. The operator recommends breathable, preferably dri-fit material, a sensible tip if you plan to walk outdoors in Seoul’s summer heat. The hanbok itself provides the visual drama; avoid adding layers underneath that make it harder to move or less comfortable in warm weather.
You can also read our reviews of more photography tours in Seoul
From the fitting room to the palace gates
Allow time to choose your outfit, get dressed, and have your hair arranged before heading out. The shop is near Gyeongbokgung Palace, so you can make the rental part of a palace visit rather than arranging separate transport across town. The address supplied for the meeting point is 36, Yulgok-ro 1-gil, Jongno-gu, about a seven-minute walk from Anguk Station, Exit 1 on Subway Line 3.
Once dressed, you can explore the palace in hanbok. The setting does much of the work: traditional clothing against old walls and gates gives your photographs a clear sense of place, and the outfit makes a palace visit feel more participatory than simply walking through the grounds. It is a fun choice for couples, families, and anyone who wants a hands-on cultural activity without committing to a full-day guided tour.
The palace grounds are outdoors, so weather matters. Heat and humidity can take the pleasure out of a long walk in layered clothing, and rain can complicate the outing. If the forecast looks poor, consider an indoor photoshoot instead. That option gives you a traditional-house backdrop without relying on the weather, though it won’t capture the palace setting.
What the photoshoot adds
The photoshoot is the part that most changes the experience from a costume rental into a keepsake. A photographer guides your poses and expressions, which helps if you feel awkward in front of a camera or are unsure how to hold the skirt and sleeves. Photographer Judy, also identified as Jun-hee, has been singled out for friendly direction and for choosing attractive palace spots. Staff members have also been praised for helping families and children relax during the session.
There are two basic settings: an indoor shoot against a traditional-house backdrop, or an outdoor shoot at Gyeongbokgung Palace. An indoor session is a practical option for hot, wet, or unpredictable weather. The outdoor package is the more scenic choice, but it requires you to walk around the grounds in your hanbok and fit the shoot into the palace visit.
Do not assume every rental includes photos. Only selected options include a shoot, and the package details matter. The information for the one-day rental describes a 10-minute indoor shoot, while the activity also sells separate indoor and outdoor photography packages. Check the exact package name and inclusions at checkout so you know whether your booking is just a rental or includes a photographer.
The outdoor and luxury options cost more because they add professional photography and, depending on the package, a more premium outfit or hair services. The listed luxury package excludes makeup, despite the experience’s title. Treat makeup as a separate service and confirm its availability and cost if it is important to you.
Photos are emailed after post-processing. Some people received their images in about a week, so this is not a same-day souvenir. If you want pictures for a post or a specific event, leave enough time for editing and delivery.
Comparing the packages and their value
The traditional hanbok rental starts at $11.25, and fusion rental starts at $14.99. Premium rental starts at $29.99. These are the lower-cost ways to wear hanbok and explore the nearby area, but they are not interchangeable with a professional photo session. If you mainly want the experience of dressing up and taking your own pictures, the basic rental may be enough.
The indoor photoshoot with hanbok rental starts at $46.85. This is a sensible middle choice if you want a photographer and a controlled backdrop, or if you would rather not depend on the weather. The outdoor shoot with premium rental starts at $101.15, while the luxury outdoor package with hanbok and hair starts at $149.85. Makeup is not included in that luxury price.
The higher-priced options make most sense when the photographs are a central part of your Seoul trip. You are paying for the outfit, help getting ready, and guided photography, not just access to a dress rack. A photographer who directs poses can save time and produce more polished images than asking a companion to improvise. Still, the luxury package is a significant step up from the base rental. If you are happy with casual photos on your phone, there is little reason to pay for the most expensive option.
Keep an eye on potential extras. A traditional Korean hairstyle and an additional hanbok try-on have stated surcharges. The supplied information also notes charges from KRW 10,000 to KRW 100,000 for lost or damaged items, including accessories, and for hanbok returned dirty or damaged. Late returns and lost locker keys can also incur extra charges. Ask before adding anything whose price is not clear.
Making the timing work
Arrive at least 15 minutes before your reservation. This is especially important for a photoshoot: the reserved time is the start of the session, not the time to walk into the shop. You need to arrive early enough to get ready, and a late arrival may shorten your shoot or leave too little time before the next booking. Latecomers and no-shows are not eligible for a refund.
The shop is open Wednesday through Monday from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., with last admission an hour before closing. It is closed on Tuesdays. If you book the 9:00 a.m. slot, be on time; the shop opens at 9:00 a.m. and there is no earlier arrival window.
Photo times can overlap with other reservations. If the studio needs to adjust a slot, it may contact you and discuss a change. Build a little flexibility into your day, particularly if your palace visit is part of a tight schedule.
The rental gives you a chance to explore after dressing, but the length of that time depends on the package. One family described having an hour left after an indoor session, while an outdoor shoot booking included two hours to explore the palace. These examples are not a universal time guarantee, so confirm the rental duration for your own option. Return the outfit on time and keep the locker key safe.
Who will enjoy this experience most
This is a strong fit if you want a memorable activity that combines dress-up, palace sightseeing, and photographs. Couples can make it a shared photo session, and families can choose children’s hanbok for participants aged one and up. The staff can help with dressing, and photographers can guide group poses rather than leaving everyone to guess where to stand.
It also works well for solo visitors. A photographer can provide direction and take the pictures, so you do not need to bring a companion just to document the experience. If you are traveling alone, book a photo package rather than relying on strangers to frame a shot.
The experience is less ideal if you are short on time, dislike posing, or want professional makeup included at the basic price. It also asks you to manage a bulky outfit in whatever weather Seoul serves up. In those cases, a short indoor shoot may suit you better than a long palace stroll.
The venue is described as stroller- and wheelchair-accessible, and a locker is included. The staff can communicate in English, Mandarin, Japanese, and Korean. Those details make the process more manageable for families and international visitors, though you should still allow time for changing and confirm any package-specific needs ahead of your visit.
Should you book Hanbok That Day?
Book it if wearing hanbok at Gyeongbokgung Palace is part of the Seoul experience you have been hoping for, especially if you want a photographer to capture the moment. The best value depends on your goal: basic rental for the outfit and palace walk, indoor photography for a weather-proof portrait, or an outdoor package if palace images matter most. Pick the package carefully, arrive early, and do not mistake a low rental price for a photoshoot price.
Skip the more expensive package if you only want a quick costume try-on or expect makeup to be included. For most people, the central appeal is simple: put on a beautiful hanbok, walk through a historic setting, and come away with photographs that feel tied to Seoul rather than just another snapshot.
Hanbok Themed Photoshoot with Make-up by Hanbok That Day
“will definitely book again. overall the service was amazing from getting dressed to photoshoot and even the hair and make up. the staff are very ac…”
FAQ
Where is Hanbok That Day?
The address is 36, Yulgok-ro 1-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul. It is about a seven-minute walk from Exit 1 of Anguk Station on Subway Line 3.
Does every hanbok rental include a photoshoot?
No. Only selected options include photography. The package details describe a 10-minute indoor shoot with the one-day rental, and separate indoor and outdoor photoshoot options are also available. Check your chosen package before booking.
Is makeup included?
Makeup is not included in the listed packages. The luxury outdoor option also specifies that makeup is not included, though an add-on may be available.
When will I receive the photos?
Edited photos are sent by email after post-processing. Some customers received them in about a week, so allow time for delivery.
What days is the shop open?
It is open Wednesday through Monday from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Last admission is one hour before closing. The shop is closed on Tuesdays.
How early should I arrive?
Arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled time. For a photoshoot, your reservation time is the start of the shoot, so arriving late may reduce your photography time or prevent the session from taking place.
