For centuries, people across Korea were widely known by a remarkable nickname: “the white-clad people.” The name came from a real everyday habit — large parts of the population traditionally wore simple white clothing as daily wear from ancient times until the mid-20th century. Historical records show this preference for white dates back at least to early Korean states mentioned in sources from around the 2nd century BCE, and the practice continued through later dynasties and into modern history.
{img}These garments were usually traditional hanbok, often made from undyed cotton or hemp. Because they were plain and uncolored, they became known as minbok, meaning “clothing of the people,” reflecting how widely they were worn across society.
White carried deep symbolic meaning in Korean culture. It was commonly associated with purity, simplicity, and moral clarity, values strongly emphasized during the Joseon Dynasty under Confucian influence. Some scholars also connect the tradition to older beliefs linking white with heaven, light, and cleanliness.
Despite its simplicity, wearing white clothing daily was not always easy. Keeping garments clean required frequent washing, yet the practice continued for generations and even survived repeated attempts by authorities in different periods to discourage it. This persistence helped turn white clothing into a symbol of shared identity across the population.
That does not mean everyone wore only white all the time. Colorful garments were still used for ceremonies, weddings, official roles, and special occasions. However, for everyday life, white remained the dominant choice for many ordinary people across centuries.
{img}The tradition gradually faded during the late 19th and early 20th centuries as dyed fabrics became easier to access and Western-style clothing spread more widely. By the time of the Korean War, economic hardship and modernization further accelerated the shift away from all-white daily dress.
Even today, the legacy remains strong. The image of Koreans dressed in white still represents an important cultural symbol of humility, unity, and heritage — a reminder of how clothing once reflected the values of an entire society.