Viral Reactions to Jennie and Song Hye-kyo’s ‘Black Guest Look’: Foreign Perspectives on Korean Wedding Traditions

Contrasting Perspectives on Korean Wedding Attire

In a recent viral post on the social platform X, a foreign user expressed surprise at the attire often seen at Korean weddings, stating, “Korean wedding culture is really bizarre. Everyone looks like they’re going to work (crying emoji).” This post has garnered over 2.73 million views as of November 23, primarily driven by the outfit choice of BLACKPINK’s Jennie during a wedding in Seoul.

Actresses Song Hye-kyo and Kim Go-eun at a recent wedding, both adopting a black color theme.

At the wedding attended by Jennie, she opted for a chic black short-sleeve knit top paired with matching pants. Other celebrities, including Song Hye-kyo and Kim Go-eun, also chose similar black ensemble for the event. However, this choice sparked a range of comments from international netizens, with remarks including, “If I wore something like this to a wedding in my country, I’d be kicked out immediately,” and, “It looks like a funeral.” Many claimed the attire didn’t resemble a wedding celebration at all.

Korean Etiquette: Wearing Dark Colors

In stark contrast, many Korean users defended the decision to wear dark colors, emphasizing that such attire is often intended to show respect to the bride, who typically wears white. It is a common practice in Korea for guests to wear muted shades, thus making the wedding atmosphere more dignified.

Recent Controversies in Wedding Attire

Reflecting the ongoing debate around wedding fashion, actress Lee Yoo-bi found herself at the center of controversy after wearing bright pink attire to the wedding of her sister, actress Lee Da-in, and singer Lee Seung-gi last April. Lee Yoo-bi responded to the backlash on the SBS variety show “Strong Heart VS,”clarifying that the outfit was a family style choice, meant to respect different color preferences from both sides—it was not her intention to upstage the bride.

The Debate Continues

This situation has incited further discussions within online communities, with opinions ranging from “If everyone wore only black, the atmosphere would be too gloomy,” to suggestions for compromise on color choices. Some believe that the increasing trend of black attire stems from prior negativity towards vibrant colors in weddings. One netizen proposed that guests began opting for black outfits largely due to the pressure from online criticisms of brighter options.

As these discussions unfold, they highlight the rich tapestry of cultural practices surrounding weddings and how fashion choices can prompt varying interpretations across different societies.

Source: Daum

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