A video filmed by a Chinese influencer wearing hanfu, traditional Chinese attire, at Seoul's Gyeongbokgung Palace has sparked controversy online.
Seo Kyoung-duk, a professor at Sungshin Women's University, posted on social media on the 17th expressing concern over Chinese influencers filming and circulating videos while wearing hanfu at the palace.
According to Seo, a recently released video shows a Chinese man in hanfu speaking in front of Gyeongbokgung Palace, saying he had come to South Korea and calling for Chinese culture to be promoted worldwide.
"Travelers in South Korea are free to wear their own traditional clothing, but this can mislead foreign tourists," Seo said. "Korean hanbok and Chinese hanfu are clearly different garments, yet foreigners may mistake hanfu for traditional Korean attire."
He warned that posting videos filmed in hanfu at Gyeongbokgung Palace on social media could cause cultural confusion. Seo said photos and videos of visits to the palace in hanfu have also been shared repeatedly on major Chinese social media platforms such as Weibo and Xiaohongshu.
Seo urged Chinese influencers to stop such activity at Gyeongbokgung Palace, stressing the need for respect toward the history and culture of other countries.