The Last Royal Banquet of the Korean Empire 'Iminjinyeon' Revived After 120 Years

At the National Gugak Center's Yeaakdang from the 16th to the 21st
The 'Essence' of Court Arts Featuring Leading Contemporary Artists

Members of the National Gugak Center are performing key scenes from the year-end concert "Im In Jin Yeon" on the 15th at the National Gugak Center's Yeakdang in Seocho-gu, Seoul. Photo by National Gugak Center

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] "Recreating a performance from 120 years ago was not an easy task, but it was not impossible either."

The last royal banquet of the Korean Empire, 'Iminjinyeon,' is being revived after 120 years. The National Gugak Center will hold the 'Iminjinyeon' performance as a year-end concert at the Yeyakdang from the 16th to the 21st.

Kim Young-woon, director of the National Gugak Center, explained at the press rehearsal held on the 15th, "We received great help in faithfully recreating the court arts of that time on stage based on historical records such as the Uigwe (royal protocols) documenting the royal banquet (jinyeon) and the Dobyeong (painted folding screens)."

The performance was originally scheduled for March but was postponed once due to COVID-19. Additionally, heavy rains in the central region in August caused partial flooding of the venue, leading to another postponement, and it will now be presented to audiences at the end of the year.

Part of the inscription "Gwanmyeongjeon Naejinyeon" on the 8-panel folding screen from the Year of the Black Tiger. Photo by Amorepacific Museum of Art

Iminjinyeon was prepared to introduce the value and significance of the splendid court arts of the Korean Empire in 1902, the year of Imin, which returned after 120 years, when the nation longed for independence. The Iminjinyeon held on the 8th day of the 11th lunar month (December 3rd) in 1902 (the year of Imin) was a banquet commemorating Emperor Gojong’s 40th anniversary of accession and his 51st birthday, marking the approaching age of 60 (Mangnyuk). It was a performance held after the Crown Prince requested it five times.

During Emperor Gojong’s reign, jinyeon was divided into 'Oejinyeon,' an official event held with male officials, and 'Naejinyeon,' held with the Crown Prince, Crown Princess, military officers, left and right royal offices, and royal relatives. This performance reconstructs the 'Naejinyeon,' which had a stronger artistic aspect, as a stage performance. This is the first time the Naejinyeon of 1902 has been recreated.

During the rapidly changing period of modernization, Emperor Gojong sought to establish the dignity of the royal family internationally and demonstrate the strict hierarchical order between monarch and officials internally through the Iminjinyeon, showcasing a national ritual to externally display the independent Korean Empire.

Members of the National Gugak Center are performing key scenes from the year-end concert "Im In Jin Yeon" on the 15th at the National Gugak Center's Yeakdang in Seocho-gu, Seoul. Photo by National Gugak Center

The year 1902, when the jinyeon took place, was three years before the Eulsa Treaty. To protect the nation, Gojong declared the Korean Empire in 1897 and established four major modern facilities?telegraph, telephone, electric lights, and streetcars?before Japan. He also invited eleven foreign powers to hold the '40th Anniversary Accession Ceremony' to announce the status of the independent Korean Empire to the world.

Although the emperor’s seat was at the top 120 years ago, in this performance it has been moved to the front. Director Kim explained that since the Korean Empire became the Republic of Korea, the audience’s seats were relocated to the emperor’s position so that viewers could experience the performance from the emperor’s vantage point.

On a stage recreated according to the Uigwe and Dobyeong, the National Gugak Center’s Jeongak and Dance Troupes perform in accordance with the etiquette of offering seven cups of wine to the emperor. This stage presents the essence of splendid and dignified court arts that prayed for the emperor’s longevity and the nation’s peace. Court dances such as Bongraeui, Heonseondo, Monggeumcheok, Hyangnyeongmu, and Seonyurak, and court music including Boheoja, Nakyangchun, Haeryeong, Bonryeong, Sujecheon, and Heoncheonsu can be experienced.

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