To commemorate the 30th anniversary of its restoration, the Geunjeongjeon Hall, which was the living quarters of a Joseon Dynasty queen, will be opened to the public for the first time.
The National Heritage Administration’s Gyeongbokgung Palace Management Office announced that the interior of Geunjeongjeon Hall will be specially opened to the public from May 8 to June 27. Viewing will be conducted in sessions from Wednesday to Friday each week, with each session lasting 20 minutes and allowing up to 15 people. Reservations can be made on a first-come, first-served basis on their website starting at 2 p.m. on April 30.
Geunjeongjeon Hall was the queen’s quarters during the Joseon Dynasty, demolished during the Japanese occupation, and restored in 1995 to its current appearance. This special opening event celebrates the 30th anniversary of that restoration, providing the first opportunity for the public to see its interior spaces.
The viewing course includes the daecheong, ondol room, and corridors. In the daecheong, replicas of mural paintings will be on display. The mural paintings are decorative paintings affixed with silk or paper on walls. The exhibition features ‘Jeomhwajodo,’ depicting the affectionate appearance of a parrot, and ‘Wonhupan-dodo,’ showing a monkey family, which were made last year and are being revealed for the first time.
The ondol room has been decorated with recreated artifacts, allowing visitors to imagine the queen’s lifestyle. After passing through the corridor, visitors can view Ami Mountain, the queen’s garden, from a new perspective through the windows. At Geonsungak Pavilion, a realistic video themed around the animals in the mural paintings will be screened. The video is interactive, allowing visitors to communicate with the animals on screen and take commemorative photos.
Jo Gyu-hyeong, the director of the Gyeongbokgung Palace Management Office, stated, “This opening serves as an opportunity to widely promote the historical significance and beauty of Geunjeongjeon Hall,” adding, “We will continue to discover related content and expand viewing opportunities in the future.”
