Park Ji-won is a writer for The Korea Times who has been covering a wide range of topics from Korea’s culture to its politics. An avid journalism enthusiast to the core, Ji-won brings a thoughtful and unique perspective to every topic she covers. On weekends, you'll often find her contemplating life’s purpose on a yoga mat — with a cup of quality tea in hand. A native Korean speaker by birth and fluent in English through her work, she went to college in Japan and is learning Chinese and French — hoping to add Polish, Russian and Thai to the mix.
Royal Culture Festival to be held online and offline from Saturday
By Park Ji-won
Poster for Royal Culture Festival / Courtesy of Cultural Heritage Administration
By Park Ji-won
The seventh Royal Culture Festival will begin Saturday in royal palaces in Seoul and through online channels to display traditional Korean cultural heritage sites and practices. The organizers said the festival aims to comfort pandemic-weary citizens.
Starting with the opening ceremony at Gyeongbok Palace Friday, themed “rest,” the annual festival will run until May 9 at five palaces ― Gyeongbok, Changdeok, Deoksu, Changgyeong and Gyeonghui ― as well as the royal shrine Jongmyo and the altar Sajikdan.
The on-site events will include “Cinema in Palace” at Gyeongbok, where critics will share their thoughts with audiences after the screening of three films about palaces and kingdoms; “Prince Yeonsan,” (1962) “The Fatal Encounter” (2014) and “Forbidden Dream” (2019).
“Self-discovery Time in Palace” at Changgyeong, allows participants to write a statement and draw a picture on the theme of “myself.” At Gyeongbok, Changdeok, Changgyeong and Deoksu palaces, visitors can take a rest while listening to autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) sounds and drinking a cup of tea or taking a nap.
In addition to the changing of the guard at Gyeongbok, visitors can now see it at Changdeok Palace and Donhwamun.
A dessert set inspired by the dessert and herb medicine that King Yeongjo enjoyed will be sold at one of Gyeongbok Palace's buildings which was used to prepare such food for royal families in the past.
Gugak (traditional Korean music) crossover performances ― participated in by musicians such as Lee Hee-moon and Bulgogidisco ― will be held at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. everyday. Traditional dance performances by masters of dance will be held at Deoksu palace.
A musical titled “Time Travel: The Day, Peach Blossom Saddens Me” will be presented at Changgyeong Palace from May 1 to 3, and livestreamed May 3 on the festival's YouTube channel. The action revolves around three historic figures from the Joseon Kingdom: King Yeongjo (1694-1776), Crown Prince Sado (1735-1762) and King Jeongjo (1752-1800).
The festival's online programs will be seen throughout the year on its YouTube channel, starting Saturday. Some of the on-site events require an advance registration. The annual festival, organized by the Cultural Heritage Administration, has been held since 2015.