Hanbok Heartbreak and Sticky Shenanigans
The inside of the hanbok rental shop in Jeonju Hanok Village was a riot of colors. From silk fabrics with a subtle sheen to eye-searingly vivid primary-colored satin, the walls were packed with hanbok displaying their elegant forms.
"Whoa... Areum, check that out! Hanbok is seriously pretty!"
Im Nana darted between the racks like a fish in water, letting out endless exclamations of awe. Meanwhile, I hovered awkwardly in an inconspicuous corner, glancing around without really looking at the clothes. Hanbok? Not even on my radar. My head was filled with just one thought: How do I slip out of this situation naturally? Should've just suggested sightseeing instead of coming to the hanok village...
"Just the two of you? Welcome!"
As we browsed, a friendly-looking shop assistant approached with a smile. Ugh, I'm weak against clothing store staff...
"Unnie! Recommend some hanbok for us to wear. It's our first time trying them on."
"Oh, really? Then for you, customer, this vibrant dangui style would suit you perfectly. It's one of our most popular designs right now."
"Wow, it's gorgeous!"
Im Nana was instantly smitten with the assistant's recommendation. Yeah, even I could see it fitting her—bright yellow tones that matched her vibrant image perfectly.
"Areum, what do you want to try on?"
Just then, another assistant nearby scanned me up and down, her eyes lighting up.
"For this customer, that hanbok over there would look amazing on you!"
She pointed to a light purple jeogori top paired with a voluminous white skirt studded with subtle silver flecks. It was undeniably pretty. Anyone wearing it would exude a mystical, ethereal vibe. As long as that anyone wasn't me.
"Totally! Areum, this is perfect for you! You'd look like a fairy goddess in it!"
Im Nana and the assistant's sparkling eyes left me no room to refuse or escape. With a reluctant sigh, I took the hanbok she handed me and headed to the changing room.
I drew the curtain and faced the mirror, letting out a deep breath. Haa... Fine, rejecting it would just kill the vibe. I'll grit my teeth and wear it. It's not like I haven't tried weirder outfits like that menhera getup.
Comforting myself, I wrapped the heavy skirt around my waist, feeling its full hem brush softly against my ankles. But the real trouble came next. As I slipped my arms into the light purple jeogori and pulled it down, I instantly knew something was seriously wrong.
"Guhk...!"
My chest felt like it was about to burst—it was squeezing so tight I could barely breathe. The jeogori clamped down on my upper body like a vise.
Did they bring the wrong size? No, she checked it...
I tried forcing the ties closed, but the underbust floated loose. Was there some special way to wear women's hanbok? Was I just clueless?
"Um, excuse me! Assistant! Could you help me for a sec?!"
I called out desperately, and the changing room curtain parted slightly as she peeked in. She took one look at me and tilted her head.
"Oh dear, doesn't it fit? For your build, size 55 should have been fine..."
"Ugh... My, uh, chest is too tight."
She stepped inside and fiddled with the ties, a faint crease forming between her brows. After a moment of silence, she spoke cautiously.
"...Customer, you must be the type who looks slimmer with clothes on...? What's your size, by any chance?"
"G... G-cup..."
"As expected. Your bust is so ample that the ties can't do their job. Even if we secure it somehow, your chest won't compress properly... We could tie it lower, but it won't drape right and it'll be really uncomfortable."
Heol. Fireworks went off in my head. What a joyous—no, bittersweet—turn of events!
Oblivious to my inner glee, the assistant apologized profusely.
"We usually stock roomier big sizes, but they all went out for a group rental today... I'm truly sorry."
From the next changing room, Im Nana chimed in sadly, having overheard.
"No other hanbok in the same design?"
"Yes, really sorry..."
Thank you, God. If you exist, have some fried chicken tonight.
In the end, only a beautifully dressed Im Nana emerged from her changing room.
"Hng... So disappointing. It would've been fun to match... Maybe try somewhere else..."
Wh-what? I'd barely escaped, and now another place? No way was I letting this golden opportunity slip.
"Aww~ So sad~ Really too bad~ But what can we do~? At least our Nana looks suuuper cute in hanbok! Gotta snap some epic life shots! I'll take pics like a pro artist!"
"...? Yeah! Make 'em super pretty!"
"Of course! I've got thousands of camping shots under my belt! I'll nail the perfect ones."
"We also offer camera rentals here if you need one. Instant prints too!"
"Whoa~ Perfect timing! Same duration as the hanbok rental, please!"
Nice assist! She knows how to upsell.
Im Nana stepped out looking like a historical drama lead, complete with makeup. A big beauty YouTuber getting made up—kinda novel. She'd always been the one doing the makeup before.
The floral makeup and flower-shaped hairpins gave her a fresh, radiant vibe totally different from her usual self.
"Whoa, it suits you perfectly! Like a princess from a sageuk."
"R-really? First time trying this, so I'm kinda shy... Hehe."
We strolled side by side through the streets, resuming our hanok village tour. We'd stop at every photo spot for pics, share snacks whenever they appeared, and never walked more than three minutes straight.
Eventually, we reached a tuho arrow-tossing experience booth on the edge of the village.
"Areum, let's try that!"
"Haven't seen one since elementary school."
I stepped up first. Whoa, farther than it looks—easily 10 meters. Glancing sideways, I saw kids tossing arrows right in front of the hoops. Throwing from there would look lame, though.
Hoo. Why was I even nervous?
"Areum! Fighting!"
With a cheering squad behind me, time to show off. Aim carefully... Now!
Whoosh!
My arrow arced perfectly... into a hoop.
"......"
"Whoa! Areum, it went in! Amazing!"
It... did go in. The one next to the target, though. Looking over, an elementary school kid stared at me like, Who are you to toss into my hoop and make a fuss?
S-sorry... Why'd it fly your way...?
After the tuho booth, we hit the streets again. My first toss was a flub, but the rest mercifully hit my actual target. Not many went in, but it was fun enough.
Im Nana? She was like the reincarnation of the tuho goddess—every arrow vanished straight into a hoop. Sheesh, magnets on those things? Athletic talent is no joke. Even the kid nearby gawked. Come to think of it, his face flushed looking at her. Guess even kids are boys at heart.
But why'd he give me that pitiful look...? I'm objectively pretty too, y'know?
"Areum, garaeyot over there! Wanna grab some?"
She pointed to a vendor dressed as a traditional storyteller, snipping sticky candy with tongs and dancing with a clack-clack rhythm.
Oh... Stuff you only see on TV. Approaching the stall, I popped a sample piece into my mouth.
Crunch!Snap!
Lots of air pockets in the center, perfectly crisp. That's how garaeyot's meant to be—shattery crunch.
"Eueh... It's sticking to my teeth all weird..."
Hah! Total newbie move. I grabbed another piece and crunched it down.
Crunch-crunch!
"Garaeyot isn't for sucking—chew it like this..."
...I'd overlooked one crucial fact. No matter how crisp, it's still sticky candy. Starts crunchy, but chew too much and it turns gluey.
"Hngguh... Aigoo, why's it sticking so bad..."
"Pfft... Ahahaha!"
Even the dancing vendor couldn't hold back a chuckle at my plight and called out.
"Hey now! Miss! If you eat that much of my candy, what am I supposed to live on?!"
"N-not that muhf..."
"Mouth stuffed full, can't even talk right! Aigoo! This girl's eaten all my candy and ruined my business!!!"
"Wooo! Buy a whole box!"
Ugh, eyes were turning our way. Already mortified with sticky teeth...
"Th-then... one box pleash..."
"Aigoo~ Thank you~ Euratchigu ssigu~ Lejjeol ssigu ssigu~"
Tourist spot pros, huh? Not hard-selling, but engineering the situation so you have no choice...
"Pfft... Areum, you're hopeless!"
"...Let's go. Now."
Too embarrassed to stay, we bolted. The vendor's calls for return faded behind us, ignored.
We wandered the hanok village more, snapping tons of photos and trying various experiences. Solid tourist day.
"Hanbok's pretty, but wearing it long-term is kinda uncomfortable... How'd people back then manage all day?"
"Hm... Probably only wore fancy ones like that in palaces or yangban houses. Commoners had simpler, comfier versions for work."
"Makes sense. Anyway, tons of pics and fun had! Just a bummer you couldn't wear one..."
"Ahaha, we can come back next time."
"...For real? You'll come again? Hanbok mandatory then?"
Huh? Hey... Im Nana? You know "let's come again" is just Korean small talk, right? Don't take it so literally!
"Winter's chilly anyway, so spring next time! I'll plan it!"
...Did I mess up again?