Shared K-royal culture paves national heritage way forward

K-Royal Culture Festival, debuted in 2014, celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.

The opening ceremony of the festival this year will take place at Geunjeongjeon Hall of Gyeongbokgung Palace, showcasing a special event embodying the beauty of the palace and elegance of Korea’s traditional culture.

1. Ticket Reservation Open

3 pm, Friday, April 5, 2024, via TicketLink

*Admission: Free / Up to 4 tickets per ID

 

2. Event Information

- Event Time: 19:30 – 20:40 (70 minutes) / Friday, April 26, 2024

- Venue: Geunjeongjeon Hall, Gyeongbokgung Palace

- Limited Tickets Available: 600

 

3. Details

[Intent of Plan] “A Deep Rooted Tree”

People of Korea and foreign envoys are invited to hold a virtual “the Promulgation of Hunminjeongeum” ceremony in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the K-Royal Culture Festival. Transport back in time to the year 1446, when Hunminjeongeum (Korean writing system, now known as Hangul) was created as a testament to King Sejong's love for the people.

 

[Performance Introduction]

“First look into 2024 K-Royal Culture Festival”

 

Attendees of the opening ceremony will be treated to the first glimpse of the 2024 K-Royal Culture Festival, featuring the signature performance “Palace Concert: Music of a Peaceful World by 100 Artists,” and highlights from “Palace Musical: Sejong, 1446.”

(Featured: Production Teams of “Palace Concert: Music of a Peaceful World by 100 Artists,” and “Palace Musical: Sejong, 1446”)

 

“Byeoksajingyeong” (Royal Court Mask Dance Cheoyongmu)

 

Byeoksajingyeong is a ritual to defeat evil spirits and wishing for a good fortune. Cheoyong (dragon king’s son) of all directions comes to the center of the country to drive away evil spirits before King Sejong enters for the Hunminjeongeum Promulgation Ceremony.

(Featured: Cheoyongmu Preservation Society)

 

“Yongbieocheonga (Songs of the Dragons Flying to Heaven)” (Pal Ilmu Dance, Jongmyo Jeryeak (Royal Ancestral Ritual Music in the Jongmyo Shrine))

 

A ritual dance is performed to report the Promulgation of Hunminjeongeum, a significant national event, to the royal ancestral shrine of Jongmyo after King Sejong enters. During the early Joseon period, although the court dance Yug Ilmu (a 36-person ritual dance) was performed, a larger scale Pal Ilmu (a 64-person ritual dance) is performed to celebrate the promulgation of this unique and independent writing system.

(Featured: A-ak Ilmu Preservation Society)

 

“Promulgation of Hunminjeongeum”

 

Hunminjeongeum was created in December 1443 and promulgated in September 1446. The process faced opposition from some Jiphyeonjeon scholars and students, including Choi Malli, as well as concerns over diplomatic issues. A virtual Hunminjeongeum Promulgation Ceremony commemorates the 10th anniversary of K-Royal Culture Festival, depicting the significance of Hunminjeongeum’s creation, struggles faced by scholars’ opposition, King Sejong's efforts at persuation, and the subsequent promulgation.

(Featured: Kang Shin-il as King Sejong, Yoon Young-geol as the opposing scholar, Cho Eui-jin as Jeong In-ji)

 

“Grand Ensemble of Drums”

 

A celebratory performance wishing for Hunminjeongeum to resonate around the world to the beat of the drums. Royal court drum dance and folk drum dance come together on one stage for this grand ensemble, embodying the spirit of the creation of Hunminjeongeum. The performance imagines that King Sejong invited many commoners to the Hunminjeongeum Promulgation Ceremony to share this joyous occasion together.

(Featured: Kook Soo-ho Didim Dance Company, Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation Art Troupe)

 

* Additionally, official events such as the declaration of the opening of the K-Royal Culture Festival and a commemorative video screening will be held.

Director | Park Dong-woo       Choreography Director | Kook Soo-ho

 

[Cast]

“Palace Concert: Music of a Peaceful World” team, “Palace Musical: Sejong, 1446” team, Cheoyongmu Preservation Society, A-ak Ilmu Preservation Society, Jongmyo Jerye Preservation Society, Kook Soo-ho Didim Dance Company, Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation Art Troupe, Lee Dae-yeon as Woojangryeo (Joseon’s official host for ceremonies), Kang Shin-il as King Sejong, Yoon Young-geol as the opposing Confucian student, Jo Eui-jin as Jung In-ji

 

[K-Royal Culture Festival with Traditional Hanbok]

①    Special Gift for Traditional Hanbok

Join the opening ceremony of the Royal Culture Festival in your traditional hanbok!

 

Attendees with prior reservation wearing traditional hanbok will receive a small gift.

* Gift Pick-up: After ticket confirmation, proceed to the general information center in Heungnyemun Gate Square to receive your gift.

* Pick-up Location: K-Royal Culture Festival’s General Information Center in Gyeongbokgung Palace (next to Hyeopsaengmun Gate)

 

* Special gift: Saekdong (multicolored) tea coasters (500 sets limited quantity)

* Note: Only individuals wearing hanbok are eligible to pick up the special gift. (Limit of 1 gift per person)

 

② Priority Seats for Traditional Hanbok

Priority seating for participants wearing traditional hanbok will be offered to the opening ceremony of the K-Royal Culture Festival (about 200 seats).

 

Please refer to the information below regarding entry for priority seating.

[Seating Information]

- The opening ceremony has unassigned seating for general admission, and priority seating for traditional hanbok.

  * Priority seats for traditional hanbok: The seats are reserved for reservation attendees that are wearing traditional hanbok. (About 200 seats)

 

- Priority seating is provided until 10 minutes before the start of the event. All seats will be offered as unassigned seating after 19:20.

 

[Directions]

Heungnyemun Gate Square, Gyeongbokgung Palace, 161 Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, (Yongsungmun Gate, Hyeopsaengmun Gate)

 

* Gwanghwamun Gate will not be open on the day of the event.

* Please use public transportation for a more convenient access to Gyeongbokgung Palace.

- Buses: 109, 171, 272, 601, 606, 1020, 7025 (south of Gyeongbokgung Palace); and 1020, 1711, 7016, 7018, 7022, 7212, 6011, 9703 (west of Gyeongbokgung Palace)

- Subway: Gyeongbokgung Palace Station, Exit 5

- Parking: Gyeongbokgung East Parking Lot (paid parking)

 

[Admission]

- Admission Procedure

① Ticket confirmation begins at 18:40 on the day of the event by Yongseongmun Gate and Hyeopsaengmun Gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace

② Admission begins at 19:00, queue at Heungnyemun Square before entering

  * Hyeopsaengmun Gate is closer to the Gyeongbokgung Parking Lot, and Yongseongmun Gate is closer to Gyeongbokgung Station (Subway Line 3).

  * The information center for hanbok special gift is close to Hyeopsaengmun Gate.

  * Gwanghwamun Gate will not be open on the day of the event.

 

- Admission: mobile tickets on TicketLink will be checked

  * For the safety of all attendees, please follow the staff’s direction and queue at Heungnyemun Gate Square before entering.

  * For the audience entering priority seats for traditional hanbok will receive directions to pick up the event gift after ticket confirmation. After that, please queue at the staff’s direction for priority seating.

 

- The walk from admission (Heungnyemun Gate Square) to the event location (Geunjeongjeon Hall) takes a while. Please complete the admission process at least 10 minutes before the start of the event.

- We recommend using restrooms before entry. Restrooms are available at the Gyeongbokgung Parking Lot, and subway Gyeongbokgung Station.

- In case of delay in entry, staff will provide a separate instruction for delayed entry. Delayed entry may result in missing some of the ceremony.

- The event is reservations only through official reservation site. NO on-site reservations will be available.

 

[Important Notices]

- Purchase or Resale of tickets through any channels other than the official ticket seller TicketLink is considered illegal and strictly prohibited.

- If such illegal reservation or unfair transaction is discovered, all event reservation will be restricted for the individual.

- NO Night Tour events will be open at Gyeongbokgung Palace on the day of the event.

- This event is open to all ages. However, please be considerate of others if entering with toddlers or younger children. Viewing may be restricted if others’ viewing experiences are interrupted.

- If rainfall of 5 mm or more is forecasted by the Korea Meteorological Administration's weather forecast on the day of the event, the event may be canceled. (Reserved audience will receive individual notices)

- All areas within the palace are NON-smoking.

- Food, flammable substances, and play equipment are strictly prohibited for entry as the location is a protected cultural heritage site.

- The event may be filmed by broadcast and press, and you may be filmed without prior notice.

- Photos and videos taken during the event may be used for official promotion, research, and publications of the K-Royal Culture Festival.

* Inquiries: Royal Palace and Tombs Center, Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation Call Center (1522-2295)