‘Forsythia-Colored Hanbok and Knot Norigae’... Macron’s Official Photographer Highlights First Lady Kim Hye-kyung

According to Financial News, Emmanuel Macron departed on the 3rd after completing his two-day, one-night visit to Korea, and his official photographer has since posted photos on her social networking service (SNS) that spotlight First Lady Kim Hye-kyung.
Close-up shots of the forsythia-yellow hanbok worn by Kim, as well as her accessories such as a norigae pendant and a traditional double ring, drew attention. As an Honorary Hanbok Ambassador, Kim has been promoting hanbok by wearing traditional attire when receiving foreign guests in Korea or during overseas trips.
Alexandra Lebon, the official photographer for the Office of the President of France, uploaded six behind-the-scenes photos from Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to Korea on her Instagram on the 6th, along with the caption, "April 3, 2026, state visit to Seoul, Republic of Korea."
The photos were taken at the state welcome luncheon for Macron’s visit held at Cheong Wa Dae (the Blue House) on the 3rd. The first image shows President Lee Jae Myung and Emmanuel Macron clasping hands, while First Lady Kim Hye-kyung and Brigitte Macron look on with warm expressions.
Lebon appears to have focused that day on the yellow hanbok worn by Kim. Including that shot, a total of four photos highlight the First Lady’s hanbok and accessories.

She also captured close-up images of the traditional double ring (ssang-garakji) on Kim’s right hand as she saluted the national flag, and the norigae pendant attached to her jeogori jacket. The norigae was crafted using a traditional knotting technique and featured a metal ornament in the shape of spring plum blossoms.
Lebon further zoomed in on the back of Kim’s head, showing a traditional hairpin (dwikkoji) used as a hair ornament.
According to Kyunghyang Shinmun, Cheong Wa Dae explained that Kim chose the forsythia-yellow hanbok for the state luncheon in the hope that the Macron couple would long remember Korea’s spring and its forsythia blossoms.
The double ring was identified as a plum-blossom-pattern silver ssang-garakji created by master traditional metal craftsman Park Hae-do, and it is said to symbolize connection and unity. Kim reportedly first encountered the piece at the Government Procurement Cultural Products Special Exhibition hosted by the Public Procurement Service (PPS) on March 13, and chose to wear it at this event to help promote traditional crafts.
In addition to photos of the First Lady, Lebon also posted images of the traditional honor guard in Geumgwan jobok ceremonial robes welcoming the Macron couple at the reception. As of 2 p.m. that day, the post had drawn around 1,470 likes, reflecting strong interest.
y27k@fnnews.com Seo Yoon-kyung Reporter