Halloween in Korea has evolved into a vibrant celebration, blending traditional Korean culture with international flair. For those looking to immerse themselves in the spirit of Halloween in Korea, incorporating Korean elements into your costume can make your experience truly unforgettable. This guide explores some of the most creative and Korean Halloween costume ideas, from iconic foods like kimbap and kimchi to cultural symbols such as soju and Korean won.
*NOTE: I’ve excluded hanboks and taekwondo uniforms because — come on. We can do better than that.
Soju Bottle
With a little construction paper and a strong binge drinker’s will, a soju costume can easily come together. Transforming into a giant soju bottle is a hilarious and instantly recognizable way to celebrate Korean Halloween. This costume is not only easy to create but also guarantees endless laughter and photo opportunities. Imagine attending a Halloween party dressed as a walking soju bottle, complete with a green body and a cleverly designed label. You can add a playful twist by carrying a giant straw or a sign that says “Drink Me!” to enhance the comedic effect.
Kimbap
Kimbap, Korea’s beloved rice and vegetable roll, makes for a colorful and fun costume. You can create a kimbap-inspired outfit by wrapping yourself in a large piece of fabric resembling the seaweed sheets used in kimbap. Add some props like fake vegetables or rice grains to complete the look. This costume is perfect for a group effort, where each person can dress up as a different ingredient in the kimbap, creating a lively and interactive display. You can also use your kimbap costume as a prop for a fun game at Halloween parties, challenging friends to guess the ingredients in your “kimbap.
Korean Won
Dress up as a giant Korean won note, complete with a bright green or blue onesie and a giant number 50,000 printed on it. This costume is perfect for those who want to make a statement about the value of money in Korean culture. You can add a playful twist by attaching fake Korean won notes to your outfit or creating a giant wallet prop. For a more humorous take, you can act out scenarios where you’re “spending” your won notes on silly items, adding a comedic element to your costume
The Loving Korean Ajumma
The “ajumma” look, characterized by a bold hairstyle and vibrant clothing, is a classic Korean style that can be both humorous and endearing. You can add a horror twist by turning your ajumma into a zombie or vampire, complete with fake blood and torn clothing. Alternatively, emphasize the fierce aspect of the ajumma by adding some bold, sassy accessories to your costume and pairing it with a confident attitude and striking makeup
Note: A few comments have indicated that this selection might be viewed as insensitive, but to clarify, I am simply pointing out that there is a long history of foreigners dressing up in the much beloved ajumma fashion style, which I do not believe typifies an entire ethnicity. Apologies for any offense.
Kimchi
If kimbap is somehow not Korean enough, the folks over at Seoul Eats raise the bar one level higher with this kimchi costume. Kimchi, Korea’s spicy fermented cabbage dish, is another iconic food that can be turned into a vibrant costume. Design a kimchi-inspired outfit with a red or green jumpsuit and add a giant cabbage leaf hat. You can also carry a fake jar of kimchi as a prop. To add a spicy twist, emphasize the bold flavors of kimchi by incorporating fiery red accents into your costume. Pair your kimchi outfit with a bold, fiery makeup look to turn up the heat and make your costume truly eye-catching.
Rock, Paper, Scissors
“Kawi Bawi Bo” (Rock, Paper, Scissors) is a beloved game in Korea, making it a fun and recognizable costume idea. You can dress up as one of the three elements and engage in playful poses with friends. To add an interactive element, you can host a Rock, Paper, Scissors tournament at Halloween parties, challenging guests to play the game and awarding prizes to the winners.
Anything Kakao
Kakao Friends, the popular characters from Korea’s messaging app KakaoTalk, are adorable and instantly recognizable. Dress up as Ryan, Muzi, or any other Kakao character to bring a touch of Korean pop culture to your Halloween celebration. You can create a group costume with friends, each dressing up as a different Kakao character, and engage in fun poses and skits that mimic the characters’ personalities.
Bibimbap
Bibimbap, the signature rice bowl dish from Jeonju, offers a creative canvas for a costume. You can design a bibimbap-inspired outfit with a bowl-shaped hat and a colorful array of vegetable props attached to your body. To emphasize the “mixed” aspect of the dish, wear a mixed-patterned outfit with different textures and colors, symbolizing the variety of ingredients in bibimbap. This costume is ideal for showcasing the diversity and richness of Korean cuisine.
Fan Death
The quirky Korean myth of “fan death” can be turned into a humorous costume. Dress up as a fan with a comically oversized blade and add some fake blood or a funny sign that says “Beware of Fan Death!” to enhance the comedic effect. For a more dramatic look, you can act out a scene where you, as the fan, are trying to “kill” people with your blades, adding a theatrical twist to your costume.
Dalgona candy
Inspired by the popular Korean street food and the hit Netflix series “Squid Game,” a Dalgona candy costume would be a uniquely and timely choice for Korean halloween. You can create a large, circular costume resembling the honeycomb toffee treat, complete with a stamped shape in the center. Add a wooden stick prop to complete the look. This costume not only represents a traditional Korean snack but also taps into the global phenomenon of “Squid Game,” making it a conversation starter at any Korean halloween gathering. For an extra twist, you could carry a small needle to mimic the challenge from the show, adding an element of suspense to your costume.
Celebrating Halloween in Korea with a Korean Halloween costume is a unique way to immerse yourself in the country’s vibrant culture. Whether you choose to dress up as a soju bottle, kimbap, or Kakao character, your costume will undoubtedly be a hit at any Korean Halloween party. By incorporating these creative and fun ideas into your celebration, you’ll not only have a memorable experience but also contribute to the growing popularity of Halloween in Korea. So, get creative, have fun, and let the spirit of Korean Halloween shine through your costume!