A Festival Utilizing Palaces Attracting 2.5 Million Visitors Over the Past 5 Years... Held in Autumn for the First Time
Featuring 12 Offline and 18 Online Programs
"Thanks to BTS, Gyeongbokgung Palace and Others Gained Attention, Hoping People Worldwide Enjoy Together~"

Gyeonghoeru Fantasy - Hwaryongjimong

Various cultural events will take place in the serene autumn palaces. The Cultural Heritage Administration’s Palace and Royal Tombs Division announced on the 7th that the 6th Royal Palace Cultural Festival will be held from the 10th of this month to the 8th of next month at Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung, and Jongmyo.

This festival, utilizing the palaces, has attracted about 2.5 million visitors over the past five years. For the first time, it will be held in autumn instead of spring. There are twelve offline and eighteen online programs. The offline events will be concentrated between the 10th and 18th. These include the opening ceremony (10th), which features a reenactment of the highlight scenes from the performance “Gungjung Yeonhwa” (11th?17th), the performance “Cheonsang Pungnyu” (18th, both at Gyeonghoeru Pavilion), the photo exhibition “Walking the Palace, Wearing Elegance,” the exhibition “Palace Character Contest” (both from 10th to 18th at Geunjeongjeon Corridor), the changing of the royal guard ceremony (ongoing at Heungnyemun Plaza), the experience program “Gyeongbokgung Saenggwabang” (October 10th?November 16th at Sojubang), the experience “Changdeokgung Moonlight Tour” (10th?25th around Changdeokgung), the experience “Healing in the Palace, Changdeokgung Herbal Medicine Room” (10th?18th at Changdeokgung Yakbang), the exhibition “Wedding, Hip and Harmonious” (October 10th?November 30th at Deoksugung Deokhongjeon), the dance performance “Masterpieces of Ancient Palaces” (November 5th?8th at Deoksugung Junghwajeon), and the exhibition “Changgyeonggung, Time Painted by Light” (10th?25th at Changgyeonggung Chundangji Pond).

Opening Ceremony

“Gungjung Yeonhwa” is a performance of song, dance, and music set against the beautiful architecture and night view of Gyeonghoeru Pavilion. It draws attention to the encounter in the classic “Simcheong,” creating a fantastic atmosphere and emotional impact. “Cheonsang Pungnyu” is a fantasy performance by the Korean House Art Troupe. It reinterprets the sky and constellations of Goguryeo, symbolizing the coexistence of the earthly and celestial realms.

“Healing in the Palace, Changdeokgung Herbal Medicine Room” introduces the preparation methods for herbal prescriptions and herbal tea bags that help with respiratory diseases caused by COVID-19. “Wedding, Hip and Harmonious” showcases videos and photos depicting the wedding attire of new women and daily life in the palace. “Changgyeonggung, Time Painted by Light” illuminates the beautiful forest leading to Chundangji Pond at night with light and media art.

'Time Travel That Day, Yeongjo Meets the People'

The online programs can be accessed on the Royal Palace Cultural Festival YouTube channel. These include “Joseon Dynasty Military Inspection Ceremony Cheopjong,” “Time Travel That Day, Hyomyeong,” “Reception Ceremony for Foreign Envoys of the Korean Empire,” “Time Travel That Day, Jeongjo - Peach Blossoms, Sad When I Think of It,” “Jongmyo Myohyeon Ceremony,” “Palaces Loved by Artists,” “Online Children’s Royal Palace Cultural Festival,” “From Kingdom to Empire!,” and “Strong Interview Hello Crown Prince.”

“Joseon Dynasty Military Inspection Ceremony Cheopjong” is a short film centered on the cheopjong, a palace guard inspection ceremony where soldiers and civil officials gather for inspection. “Time Travel That Day, Hyomyeong” deals with the short and intense life of Crown Prince Hyomyeong. It recreates the court dance (Jeongjae) he created and highlights the beauty of Changdeokgung’s rear garden with contemporary dance. “Reception Ceremony for Foreign Envoys of the Korean Empire” reenacts Emperor Gojong’s reception and banquet for foreign envoys, performed by professional actors.

'Time Travel, That Day - Gojong's Dream'

“Time Travel That Day, Jeongjo - Peach Blossoms, Sad When I Think of It” is a four-part musical drama depicting the stories of King Yeongjo, Crown Prince Sado, and King Jeongjo. It was filmed around Changgyeonggung. “Jongmyo Myohyeon Ceremony” is a video reenacting the ritual performed when the queen and crown princess visit Jongmyo after the royal wedding. “Palaces Loved by Artists” is a large-scale relay performance by five intangible cultural heritage teams, presented as music videos at major tangible heritage sites within the palaces.

“Online Children’s Royal Palace Cultural Festival” is an immersive educational content experienced through games. It recreates the streets of Joseon’s Hanyang and Gyeongbokgung within the popular game “Minecraft,” making the history and culture of the palaces easy to understand. “From Kingdom to Empire!” is a documentary about the birth of the Korean Empire, and “Strong Interview Hello Crown Prince” is an interview video with the crown prince conducted in a talk show format.

Nam Myung-ha, Director of the Royal Tombs and Historic Sites Headquarters

This festival also offers “Delivering the Royal Palace Cultural Festival to Your Home.” It is an interactive communication program that delivers “experience kits,” consisting of hands-on gifts and artifact utilization programs, to applicants’ homes.

Namyeongha, head of the Palace and Royal Tombs Division, explained, “We have organized various programs so that the world can enjoy the four major palaces and Jongmyo, which BTS recently showcased on the American NBC show ‘The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,’ together.” He added, “We hope this festival will bring comfort and rest to our people who have been struggling through the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.”

For more details, please refer to the websites of the Cultural Heritage Administration, Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation, and the Royal Palace Cultural Festival.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.