Korean Graduation Day Guide 🎓

Graduation in Korea isn’t just a formal event—it’s a whole experience. From the iconic gowns and endless campus photo shoots to self-studios and trendy flower bouquets, Korean-style graduation has become a celebration that blends tradition with Instagram-worthy creativity. If you want to get the most out of your big day, here’s how to do it the Korean way. 1. Rent Your Gown (and Maybe Upgrade It) Most Korean universities don’t hand out gowns for free anymore, so students usually rent them. Around campus, you’ll find pop-up shops offering full sets: gown, cap, tassel, and even diploma props. Some shops let you pick different colors or styles, so if you’ve always wanted to graduate in something a little fancier (hello, velvet trim), this is your chance. It’s surprisingly affordable and makes your photos look polished. 2. Book a Self-Studio (셀프 스튜디오) Self-studios are a huge graduation trend in Korea. For about an hour, you get your own mini photo studio with professional lighting and backdrops. All you do is press the remote and pose with your friends. It’s fun, affordable, and much less awkward than standing stiffly in front of a stranger. Many studios even provide cute props—like number balloons for your graduation year or fake diplomas—so you can go all out. 3. Search “졸업스냅” for Professional Shoots Want the full photo spread? Search “졸업스냅” on Naver or Instagram. Dozens of freelance photographers specialize in snapping graduates on campus. They know the prettiest cherry blossom spots, the campus gates where everyone poses, and how to capture candid laughter while you’re fixing your cap. If budget is tight, split a photographer with friends—you’ll save money and still get gorgeous solo shots. 4. Don’t Skip the Flower (or Plushie!) Bouquets In Korea, graduation bouquets aren’t just roses anymore. You’ll see creative options like sunflowers, money bouquets, or even plushie arrangements featuring Kakao Friends or Pokémon characters. Carrying one instantly levels up your photos, and it’s a sweet keepsake from the day. If your friends or family gift you flowers, keep them for a mini flat-lay shoot at home later. 5. Capture the Candid Chaos Yes, the polished photos are important, but don’t forget the real-life moments. Record clips of your friends running late in their gowns, the group cap toss that fails three times before you get it right, or your parents trying to take selfies at odd angles. These are the things you’ll laugh at years later—and they make your graduation story feel real, not staged. 6. Share It the Korean Way Graduation in Korea is practically a content day. Expect your Instagram feed to be filled with campus shots, mirror selfies in gowns, and TikTok reels set to K-pop songs. Jump on the trend by making your own reel—maybe a glow-up video showing your first day in Korea vs. your graduation day, or a GRWM vlog where you transform into “graduation-ready you.”