I woke up and became a palace rookie in Joseon Period?

“Palace Rookie” is an immersive experience program where participants become royal court trainees, wear traditional costumes, and enjoy the palace culture of the Joseon Period.

 

Gyeongbokgung Palace goes back in time to the Sejong era for 5 days in celebration of the 10^th year anniversary of K-Royal Culture Festival.

 

Become a palace rookie and embark on a time travel to Gyeongbokgung Palace now!

 

1. Tickets Reservations Open

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

*Admission: 10,000 won / Up to 4 tickets per ID

 

2. Event Information

- Dates: Wednesday, May 1 – Sunday, May 5, 2024

- Time: (Session 1) 10:30 – 12:10 / (Session 2) 14:30 – 16:10 (100 minutes total / including 30 minutes preparation time)

- Venue: Gyeongbokgung Palace (Time Travel Zone)

- Number of participants: 160 persons per session (40 people per experience × 4 experiences)

 

3. Details

[Program Details]

- Preparation (30 minutes): registration, costume change

- Performance (10 minutes): Performance at Geunjeongjeon Hall

- Experience (60 minutes): Royal palace culture experience (choose 1)

 

[Preparation (about 30 minutes)]

- Pick up a palace pass for palace rookies at the “Palace Rookies Program Registration.”

* Registration: Namsumun Jangcheong (South Water Gate) of the Heungnyemun Square, Gyeongbokgung Palace (towards Gwanghwamun / refer to the map)

- After receiving the palace pass, go to the changing room, and change into the prepared palace rookie costume.

* Changing room: In front of Yongseongmun Gate (staff will provide directions)

 

[Performance (about 10 minutes)]

- Follow the staff’s directions and enjoy the time travel performance at Geunjeongjeon Hall.

- King Sejong and munmubaekgwan (civil and military officials) will appear at Geunjeongjeon Hall to announce the start of the time travel.

- Pay proper tribute to King Sejong at Geunjeongjeon Hall. Photos and videos are welcome for the performance.

 

[Experience (about 60 minutes)]

- Time to carry out your official duties as a royal court trainee!

- Move to the pre-selected experience location with onsite staff’s directions. The experience is pre-selected at ticket reservation.

 

①   Royal Court Cuisine

- Let’s make goimsang (food for ceremonies), a feast prepared for honored guest on joyous occasions.

  * Goimsang refers to a table where food used for banquets is piled high.

- Go back in time to Joseon period in naesojubang (royal court kitchen) of Gyeongbokgung Palace and make candies.

- The goimsang experience will be conducted by Master Jeong Gil-ja, the holder of the National Intangible Cultural Heritage of palace cuisine.

 

②   Royal Court Martial Arts

- Let's make the traditional arrow pyeonjeon, which was known as the “secret weapon” of the Joseon period.

  * Pyeonjeon, also called aegi-sal (baby arrow), is lighter than regular arrows, and flies faster and farther. Manufacturing of the arrow was treated as a military secret in the Joseon period.

- The experience will take place at the site of Yungmuru Pavilion, which symbolizes the “elevation of martial arts”.

- A simple traditional martial arts demonstration is included in the experience.

- The traditional arrow pyeonjeon experience will be conducted by Yoo Se-hyun, a master of royal court archery recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage holder.

 

③ Palace Dance

- Let's learn the royal court dance performance pogurak, which was often performed at royal court banquets.

  * Pogurak is a performance where two teams sing and dance. It’s also a performance game where the teams attempt to throw a ball into a hole. If the ball falls into the hole, a flower is given as a prize, and if it doesn't, ink is dotted on the face with a brush as a penalty.

- Follow the rhythms of the traditional tunes by the Amisan Garden.

- The pogurak experience will be conducted by the traditional dance group, Art Foret.

 

③   Royal Court Painting

- Let's draw the traditional dancheong that enhances the beauty and majesty of the palace architectures.

  * Dancheong refers to the work of illustrations and patterns in vivid colors on wooden buildings. Dancheong not only serves a decorative function but also plays a role as a coating preserving the structure.

- Paint a lotus pattern dancheong on the roof of Bihyeongak Hall in the gardens. The Hall is the workplace and study for the crown prince.

- The dancheong experience will be conducted by Ahn Yu-jin, the holder of the National Intangible Cultural Heritage of dancheong.

In addition to the Palace Rookie Experience, visit Gyeongbokgung Palace during the “Time Travel, Sejong” event period between Wednesday, May 1, and Sunday, May 5, and you can enjoy various role plays and on-site activities recreated for an immersive everyday palace experience.

 

For more details about the K-Royal Culture Festival, please refer to the official website.

www.chf.or.kr/fest

 

[Directions]

Namsumun Jangcheong, Heungnyemun Gate Square, Gyeongbokgung Palace, 161 Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul (Palace Rookie Registration Site)

* We recommend the use of public transportation for your convenience.

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

- Subway: Gyeongbokgung Station, Exit 5 (about 5 minutes’ walk to the registration center)

- Parking: Gyeongbokgung East Parking Lot (paid parking) (about 10 minutes’ walk to the registration center)

 

[Admission]

- Registration: (Session 1) 10:00 – 10:30, (Session 2) 14:00 – 14:30

- Location: Namsumun Jangcheong (South Water Gate) inside Heungnyemun Gate Square (towards Gwanghwamun Gate)

- To confirm booking, we will check identification upon arrival. (Resident registration card, driver's license, passport, ID card reissuance application, or alien registration card)

* Admission tickets can be transferred to immediate family members and siblings only with the submission of supporting documents (family register, family relationship certificate).

- Program begins after changing into the prepared costumes for Palace Rookie. Changing room (in front of Yongseongmun Gate) is available after registration.

- As the preparation time takes about 30 minutes. Late arrival may limit your participation in the program.

- This program is reservation only. There is NO on-site registration.

 

[Important Notices]

- This program is for ages 14 and above. Children’s costumes are NOT prepared.

- Changing may be easier if you visit in simpler clothes (such as simple shorts and t-shirt).

- A simple storage area is available. However, the festival is not responsible for the loss or damage of personal valuables.

- If rainfall of 3 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)