Gyeongbokgung Palace was the first royal palace built by the Joseon Dynasty, three years after the Joseon Dynasty was founded. Built in 1395, Gyeongbokgung Palace was located at the heart of newly appointed capital of Seoul (then known as Hanyang) and represented the sovereignty of the Joseon Dynasty. The largest of the Five Grand Palaces (the others being Gyeonghuigung Palace, Deoksugung Palace, Changgyeonggung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace), Gyeongbokgung served as the main palace of the Joseon Dynasty.
The Turbulent History of Gyeongbokgung Palace
Gyeongbokgung Palace continued to serve as the main palace until the Japanese invasions of Korea (1592 – 1598), when all of the palaces were severely damaged. It was not until about 1868 that the palace was reconstructed and expanded to a 410,000 square meter complex with over 500 buildings. Gyeongbokgung Palace flourished for several decades in this state until the Japanese once again demolished the palaces during their occupation of Korea (1910-1945). Most of the restored buildings were torn down, Gwanghwamun Gate was relocated and the Japanese General Government Building was constructed in front of the main area of the palace.
An effort by the Korean government has been ongoing since 1990 to rebuild and restore the buildings that were destroyed during the Japanese occupation. This 40-year restoration project aims to fully restore Gyeongbokgung Palace to its original form in the next twenty years. Currently, the palace is open to the public and houses the National Palace Museum of Korea and the National Folk Museum of Korea. Although only about forty percent of the buildings have been restored, there are still many beautiful things to see at the palace. Some of the palace highlights have been noted below.
Geunjeongjeon (Imperial Throne Hall)
Geunjeongjeon is the throne hall of Gyeongbokgung Palace where the king was formally briefed by his officials, issued proclamations, and greeted foreign envoys and ambassadors. It was also the central venue for various coronation ceremonies of the royal household.
The Turbulent History of Gyeongbokgung Palace
Gyeongbokgung Palace continued to serve as the main palace until the Japanese invasions of Korea (1592 – 1598), when all of the palaces were severely damaged. It was not until about 1868 that the palace was reconstructed and expanded to a 410,000 square meter complex with over 500 buildings. Gyeongbokgung Palace flourished for several decades in this state until the Japanese once again demolished the palaces during their occupation of Korea (1910-1945). Most of the restored buildings were torn down, Gwanghwamun Gate was relocated and the Japanese General Government Building was constructed in front of the main area of the palace.
An effort by the Korean government has been ongoing since 1990 to rebuild and restore the buildings that were destroyed during the Japanese occupation. This 40-year restoration project aims to fully restore Gyeongbokgung Palace to its original form in the next twenty years. Currently, the palace is open to the public and houses the National Palace Museum of Korea and the National Folk Museum of Korea. Although only about forty percent of the buildings have been restored, there are still many beautiful things to see at the palace. Some of the palace highlights have been noted below.
Geunjeongjeon (Imperial Throne Hall)
Geunjeongjeon is the throne hall of Gyeongbokgung Palace where the king was formally briefed by his officials, issued proclamations, and greeted foreign envoys and ambassadors. It was also the central venue for various coronation ceremonies of the royal household.
Gyeonghoeru (Pavilion)
Hyangwonjeong (Pavilion)
Geoncheonggung (Palace)
Geoncheonggung (Palace) was once the royal residence of Emperor Gojong (the 26th king of the Joseon Dynasty) and his wife, Empress Myeongseong, located within Gyeongbokgung complex. It was reopened to the public on August 15th, 2010 by the Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea as part of a project to restore the five grand palaces. On the Geoncheonggung site stands Jangandang (Hall), Emperor Gojong's quarters and Gonnyeonghap (Hall), the quarters of Empress Myeongseong. The royal residence was a place of innovation, with the first electric lights in Korea being installed here in 1887, but it is also a tragic place, where Empress Myeongseong was brutally murdered by Japanese agents. Inside the palace visitors can see some of the royal family's personal possessions.
Gwanghwamun (Gate)
Heungnyemun (Gate)
Heungnyemun is the second largest gate of Gyeongbokgung and the first gate that visitors see after Gwanghwamun (Gate). The gate was totally demolished during the Japanese occupation when the Japanese government constructed a building for the Japanese Governor General of Korea. The gate was restored to its original form in 1995.
The Changing of the Royal Guard
MBC Drama < Moon Embracing the Sun >
- Original run: January 4, 2012 ~ March 15, 2012
- Summary: A love story between a fictional king of the Joseon Dynasty(played by Kim Soo-hyun) and a female shaman(played by Han Ga-in).
- Scene: King Lee Hwon(played by Kim Soo-hyun) has a friendly conversation with his courtier.
- Hallyu topic: Runner-up in the 18th Shanghai TV Festival's International TV Series Awards. Aired in 7 countries.
- Actor Kim Soo-hyun reaches Hallyu stardom through his roles in < GIANT >and < Dream High 1 >.
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