Mosi Clothing ? How Koreans Beat the Heat   

• As summer nears, people look for lightweight, breathable clothing to beat the heat. In South Korea, a traditional fabric called mosi, or ramie, has been prized for over 1,500 years for its elegance and usefulness. According to legend, mosi originated in the Baekje Kingdom, where an elderly man dreamed of a mysterious plant. Upon waking, he found the ramie plant and began weaving its fibers into fabric. From these beginnings, mosi spread across the Korean peninsula. During the Three Kingdoms period, weaving mosi had become a skilled craft. In the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties, mosi was commonly used for summer clothing, including jeopo, a thin, breathable cloth worn by both commoners and nobles. The Hansan region became especially famous for producing high-quality mosi, which was even presented as royal tribute. Today, Hansan mosi is recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, celebrating its enduring role as both a practical fabric and a symbol of Korean craftsmanship. Lucy Kim Staff Reporter junior/1747787172/1613367831