Unhyeongung (운현궁) Royal Palace

Finally we can slowly walk around this royal residence after the first 25 minutes running around in Dangui Hanbok and shooting photos around Unhyeongung!

Unhyeongung Palace (운현궁) - Historical Site No 257.

This palace used to be 26th King of Joseon Dynasty, King Gojong's Jamjeo (a temporary place for the soon-to-be monarch to stay before taking the throne). It was owned by Heungseon Daewongun Yi Haeung, father of King Gojong.

Let me take a breath at this low wooden platform used 

as a bench (평상) before deciding which way to go first.

 This enormous wooden gate will lead you to Noandang.

            

Edited these Fusion Hanbok photos with this wooden gate as background.

It must be nice matching to shoot Fusion Hanbok photos around 

Hanok buildings in Unhyeongung.

Unhyeongung is  a perfect example of Korean Traditional Hanok architecture in Seoul.

 

This detached house was the Sarangchae (사랑채 = men's quarters).

 Daewongun spent most of his time established his reform policies,  

mapping out national policies, closing down private Seowon 

(Confucian Acedemy).

 Heungseon Daewongun named this building Noandang (노아당) 

meaning to make the old comfortable and at ease. 

 He found his life satisfying and comfortable after one of his sons became the king. 

He died in this building at age 79 after an eventful life,

 which included forced retirement from regency.

 Noandang with tiled-roof with a large sun-shade 

supported by wooden poles from the eaves.

10 kan Norakdang (노락당) is the largest building in
Unhyeongung has nine roams along the corridor.

This building was Anchae (Women's quarters in Korean residences created by Confucian values represented by the Three Bonds and Five Moral Rules governing human relations). 

 Important ceremonies such as King Gojong and Queen Myeongseong's wedding ceremony, 

Queen Min received royal orientation and preparations before her wedding 

were held in this Norakdang.

If you watched Korean drama Gung (궁) episode 3, Chae-gyung also receiving training before her wedding with Shin. The scenes were filmed in Unhyeongung. But her training location was in Irodang building instead of Norakdang. 

 Queen Myeongsong Celebrating Birthday of King Gojong's Mother.

Queen Myeongseong in Yellow Dangui, King Gojong's Mother in Pale 

Yellow Magoja, Crown Prince in Sagyusam and Obangjang Durumagi, 

Yi Yun Yong in Jeonbok and Obanjang Durumagi.

King Gojong's Biological Mother in Pink Dangui Hanbok.

The most notable structure inside Norakdang is the kitchen, which was used for food preparation when hosting important events.

Sanggung (Court Lady) in Blue Green Dangui 

and Nain (Court Lady Attendance) in Jeogori and Chima.

Irodang (이로당) was the main building where the wife of Heungseon Daewongun 

resided and ran household affairs of Unhyeongung.

Irodang is Anchae (안채 = Inner Quarters) reserved for women,

located at the farthest end from the main gate with high platform.

Irodang is connected to Norakdang by this passageway.

Irodang was an isolated place and to help to protect women 

from men and intruders, it's built in square shape (ㅁ). 

     

Cool! I like this passageway which has a door to lock from inside.
Be careful of  your head and don't knock your head when passing this passageway.

  Sujiksa is quarters for security guards and superintendents. 

... my hubby sneaked inside Irodang since no guards in Sujiksa! 

 

Wondering what was the punishment given during the 

ruling of Daewongun if a man being caught entering 

this woman's quarter? and what's the reward?! ㅋㅋ

    

 Chimney for ondol fumes?

Ok, let's go to Exhibition Hall!

 Exhibition hall displaying objects, mannequins in Korean traditional wedding garments 

and audio visual materials about Unhyeongung and Daewongun's family history.

Please check out this video for more information.

 Garye is a wedding ceremony involving royal families

 which involves several procedures. 

Known as the site of the royal wedding of King Gojong and Queen Min, Unhyeongung Palace has the very special role of introducing traditional Korean royal culture to Koreans and foreigners. 

if you're visiting Korea on 18 April or 19 September  2015 do watch a re-enactment of royal wedding ceremony outside Norakdang. I'm interested to see Court Dress Fashion Show too. You can check out other cultural events and programs at Unhyeongung's website.

During Chinyeong which King visits Byeogung (special palace designated for royal wedding) to see the queen, they wore royal costumes...

 

King Gojong in Myeonbok and Queen Min in Jeokui.

   Heungseon Daewongun in Jobok and his wife in Wonsam.

 Chukhwabi - monument made in 1871 by Daewongun to protect

the nation from Western invasion and to show his

strong will to refuse a trade treaty.

 

Kyungkeunmun situated between Changdukgung and 

Unhyeongung was the exclusive door for King Gojong.  

Daewongun used Kongkeunmun to access to Changdukgung.

The Battle Ground during the period of Regent Hungson.

 

Wonnapjeon and Dangbaekjeon.

New dressing codes to ensure practical living.

Wooden Wig and Black Silk Hat.

Horsehair Hat.

Unhyeongung Royal Residence (운현궁)

Add: 464, Samil-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea

서울특별시 종로구 삼일대로 464 (운니동)

 Last selfie before leaving this beautiful hanok royal residence! :P

Related Posts:

~ Dangui (당의) Royal Court Hanbok Dress at Unhyeongung

~ Filming location of Gung (궁) - Honeymoon Scene: Seongyojang (선교장)

~ Filming location of Gung (궁) - Palace courtyards: Gyeongju Anapji Pond (안압지)

~ Filming location of Gung (궁) - Palace courtyards: Gyeonggijeon (경기전)

~ Filming location of Gung (궁) - Palace courtyards: Jeonju Sago (전주 사고)