한복의 사전적 정의 검토

Abstract

This study examines the definitions of hanbok from the following dictionaries: Standard Korean Language Dictionary; Encyclopedia of Korean Culture; Encyclopedia of Korean Folk Culture; A Dictionary of Korean Traditional Apparel; Oxford English Dictionary; The Collins Dictionary; Urban Dictionary, and one from a webpage on Korean culture promotion by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea (ROK). The examination brings to light the problematic wordings and further discusses why they are problematic. Describing the attributes of hanbok as timeless and static, the definitions do not reflect the historical development of hanbok in dynamism. The discussion contends the following. First, hanbok is a collective noun that refers to the category of traditional clothing of Korea, not only a costume for men and women. Second, given that the term hanbok was coined at the turn of the 20th century, its concept and historical timeline are part of Korea’s modern fashion history, not that of pre-modern, from the ancient to Joseon (1392-1910). Third, the trajectory of hanbok shows its evolution in the contexts of being modernized, hybridized, and culturally authenticated, rather than remaining “traditional” and “authentic.” Fourth, hanbok has served as ethnic dress for ethnic Koreans across the globe and national dress of the ROK. Fifth, as the ROK increasingly becomes a multi-ethnic country in the 21st century, the word “uri (lit. our/we),” which is commonly used to describe the ethnic Korean community as a single entity, should be changed to a third-person perspective. Sixth, the elements of clothing that are subject to change, such as stylistic characteristics, occasions for wearing, and construction methods, must be inclusively described. The arguments presented here are anticipated to contribute to revision of the definitions of hanbok in dictionaries and conceptualization of hanbok as an academic keyword in dress/fashion studies.