Korean wedding attire gained global attention when BLACKPINK’s Jennie attended a wedding in casual black clothing. This choice led to mixed reactions, as international viewers found it unusual and Korean netizens defended it as a cultural norm. Historically formal, Korean wedding attire has shifted to casual black styles to honor the bride, a trend some locals now question.
Jennie’s Casual Attire at Wedding Sparks Debate on Korean Wedding Attire
BLACKPINK’s Jennie recently attended a wedding, wearing a casual black outfit, which quickly became a hot topic on social media. Many international viewers expressed surprise at her attire, questioning why she didn’t wear formal clothes. Commenters noted that such casual wear at a wedding would be unusual, even inappropriate, in their own cultures, sparking a debate about wedding attire customs across countries.
Cultural Shift: The Evolution of Korean Wedding Attire
Historically, Koreans wore formal clothing to weddings, even during economically challenging times. However, this began to change as the Korean IT industry grew, making casual office attire more acceptable. Over time, a new cultural practice emerged, encouraging guests to wear understated, black attire to highlight and honor the bride. This trend spread online, with many now viewing bright or white outfits at weddings as disrespectful. As a result, it has become customary in Korea to wear casual black clothing to weddings.
Korean Wedding Attire on theqoo: Mixed Reactions and Opinions
When this topic was discussed on the Korean forum theqoo, opinions varied. Some users argued that Koreans naturally prefer dark clothing, something evident in Seoul’s fashion scene. Others pointed out that, unlike Western weddings, Korean weddings are not seen as parties, so guests avoid “party looks.” Additionally, some users questioned why foreigners should comment on Korean customs. However, criticisms also emerged, with some stating that wearing somber colors to a wedding can feel inappropriate, almost like attending a funeral.
Discomfort with Current Wedding Culture
Critics of modern Korean wedding attire pointed out that treating guests in bright colors as disrespectful feels restrictive. Many recalled a time, just 20 years ago, when women wore colorful suits to weddings and men attended in business attire. Traditional Korean hanbok, often vibrant in color, was also commonly worn. This contrast has led some to question whether the new norm of casual black is truly fitting for weddings and reflects a broader discomfort with the rapid shift in cultural traditions.
The Broader Impact of Rapid Cultural Change
Traditionally, customs around major life events in Korea, such as weddings, have been slow to change. However, Korea’s rapid industrialization has impacted these practices, leading to the gradual disappearance of traditional customs without fully establishing new ones. The trend of wearing casual black to weddings may reflect this ongoing transition, embodying a small, yet telling shift in Korea’s evolving cultural landscape.
Here’s a link to theqoo.I appreciate you taking the time to read this post. Please share your thoughts in the comments!
I don’t get it. Why did Koreans switch from wearing fancy suits to casual black at weddings? People say it’s because of online opinions, but can wedding culture really change that easily?