Beauty of Traditional Dance, Gugak at Korea’s 4 Palaces

연합뉴스 / 2025-03-17 09:37:16

▲ This photo, provided by the Korea Heritage Service (KHS), shows a scene from the Chunaengjeon performance at Yeongyeongdang Hall in Changdeokgung Palace. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, March 17 (Yonhap) -- A series of performances blending royal court music and dance will take place against the stunning backdrops of Korea’s historic palaces, including Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung.

The Korea Heritage Service announced on Monday that, in collaboration with the National Gugak Center, a total of 29 traditional music and dance performances will be held across four major palaces—Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Deoksugung, and Changgyeonggung—in April, May, and September.

At Changdeokgung’s Yeongyeongdang Hall, audiences can witness a performance inspired by a dance created by Crown Prince Hyomyeong in 1828 to celebrate Queen Sunwon’s 40th birthday.

The event will take place six times from April 8 to 12, featuring solo dances like Chunaengjeon (Spring Nightingale Dance), Musanhyang, and Chimhyangchun. Reservations open on March 18 at 2 p.m. via the National Gugak Center’s website (www.gugak.go.kr) or by phone (02-580-3300). Each session is limited to 50 attendees.

▲ This poster is provided by the Korea Heritage Service (KHS). (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

At Changgyeonggung’s Tongmyeongjeon Hall, visitors can experience a reenactment of Queen Sunwon’s 60th birthday banquet from 1848. The National Gugak Center’s Court Music Orchestra will perform this special event ten times in May and September.

Gyeongbokgung’s Sujeongjeon Hall, once home to the Hall of Worthies where the Hunminjeongeum (Korean alphabet) was created, will feature court music and dance from the reign of King Sejong (1418–1450), performed by the National Gugak Center’s orchestra and dance troupe.

Meanwhile, Deoksugung’s Seokjojeon Hall will host a traditional orchestral concert in September.

All performances are free of charge, though palace admission fees still apply.