A Time Travel, Changgyeonggung Palace: Royal Palace Daily Life

Changgyeonggung Palace, along with Changdeokgung Palace, was called Donggwol(meaning the East Palace) and served as the residential quarters for the royal family.

From King Seongjong (9th King of Joseon), who built Changgyeonggung Palace for his grandmother, mother, and aunt; to King Yeongjo (21st King of Joseon), who personally distributed grain to the people in times of hardship; from Queen Jeongsun, the second queen consort of King Yeongjo, selected through the royal consort screening process (Samgantaek); to Lady Hyegyeong, who devoted herself to parental care before giving birth to King Jeongjo (22nd King of Joseon). Together with the audience, the rich and varied daily life of the Joseon royal court comes alive once more.

Event Information

Date October 11 (Sat) - October 12 (Sun), 2025 

Time Session 1 ▶ 11:00~13:00 (120 minutes) Session 2 ▶ 14:00~16:00 (120 minutes) 

Venue Changgyeonggung Palace - Myeongjeongmun Gate, Myeongjeongjeon Hall, Gyeongchunjeon Hall, Tongmyeongjeon Hall 

This event is a creative performance based on historical records. Please keep this in mind during your viewing. 

Program Highlights 

1. Immun Hyulminui(臨門恤民儀) - A King Who Comforts His People 11:00 / 14:00 Myeongjeongmun Gate 

In the 25th year of King Yeongjo’s reign (21st King of Joseon, 1749), the king stepped out to the palace‘s main gate to listen to the hardships of his people and distribute grain, bringing relief from drought and flood. 

Audience Participation : Present your story before the king and receive the grain prepared for you.

2. A Joyous Day of Completion 11:30 / 14:30 Myeongjeongjeon Hall 

In the 15th year of King Seongjong’s reign (9th King of Joseon, 1484), he completed Changgyeonggung Palace for his grandmother, mother, and aunt. To commemorate this, a grand palace banquet was held. 

Audience Participation : Take on the role of officials or workers who contributed to the palace’s completion and join the banquet. Performance by : Korea Heritage Agency Performance Arts Group

3. Interpreting the Dragon Dream 12:00 / 15:00 Gyeongchunjeon Hall 

A mysterious dream of Crown Prince Jangheon (better known as Crown Prince Sado) was conveyed to his wife Lady Hyegyeong. In the dream, a dragon carrying a sacred pearl entered his chamber. Lady Hyegyeong and the court ladies offered various interpretations of its meaning. 

Audience Participation : Become a court attendant at Gyeongchunjeon Hall and assist Lady Hyegyeong in interpreting the dream. 

4. Samgantaek - the Search for a Wise Queen 12:30 / 15:30 Tongmyeongjeon Hall 

During the Samgantaek (the final selection of the queen consort), three final candidates to be queen stood before King Yeongjo (21st King of Joseon). When questioned, the daughter of Kim Han-gu (later Queen Jeongsun, the second queen consort of King Yeongjo) astonished the court with her brilliant response. 

Audience Participation : Take part in the royal selection process to help find a wise queen. Performance by: Hwadong Jeongjae Art Troupe