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)

Dangui (당의) Royal Court Hanbok Dress

We supposed to come back in the evening from Muju. We didn't have any plans after lunch, so we decided to find a nearby attraction around the hotel. From the map it seems like Unhyeongung is walkable from Center Mark Hotel. But, we decided to take the subway from Jonggak to Anguk Station.

Check out this video if you want to know how to purchase a Subway Ticket...

Arrived in Anguk Station, looked high and low... 

walked here and there  to search for the Palace.

We didn't see anything that look like Palace although the map clearly stated it's here. Do you know why we couldn't find it?

 Because we're expecting it to look like Gyeongbokgung or Changdeokgung.

Unhyeonggung is also a Palace (Gung = Palace).

We gave up and asked someone for help! And he answered...

"Uh huh?! 네, 여기다! Yes, You're here!!"

Aigoo~ really 'lose my face' I was so embarrassed leh!

Entrance Fee: 700 Won / Adult.

The palace will offer free admission starting on March 20, 2014 

in accordance with the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s 

partial revision of the Local Cultural Heritage Protection Act.

 

 

The counter staff asked whether we wanted to rent a Hanbok costume.

It costs 3,300 Won for 15 minutes.

  

이모 (Imo) bought us to the room behind this tree and she selected 

this Hanbok for me based on my size.

I didn't dare to ask her whether I can choose the other Hanbok dress though this Hanbok seems too girlish / princess for me because Imo's face looked quite fierce.

I didn't take off my turtle neck blouse, because Imo said it's cold outside. Then she helped me to wear the Hanbok. She kept complimenting my look, my height and said that I looked like a Korean. Without much face expression she mumbled yeppeuda yeppeuda after I wore it. I kept saying thank you...

Then suddenly her face became more serious and complained that my husband is a bit too fat! I just couldn't stop laughing... LOL!

She asked me to tie my hair and she lent me a hair rubber band. Maybe she didn't like my curly lion hair. After that she reminded us that we had 15 minutes to return the hanbok there.

 

This Hanbok is called Dangui (당의). It's also called dang-jeogori (당저고리), 

dang-jeoksam (당적삼), or dang-hansam (당한삼).

Dangui is a type of upper garment traditional hanbok for women, which was worn 

as simple official outfit for ceremonial occasions during the Joseon Dynasty. 

 It's also known as Royal Court garment, as court ladies wore it as their daily dresses.

The characteristics of Dangui is to emphasize the beauty of Hanbok’s curvy lines. 

 

 The form of Dangui is similar to that of Jeogori, the length of 

both the front and back is triple to that of Jeogori. 

 Sleeves of Dangui are narrow. The side seams are open to 

the armpit, and the hem is curved.

     

Court matron (Sanggung) or Lady-in-waiting (Gungnyeo) usually wear Dangui  

just like the Queens or Princesses, but with no Geumbak or gold patterns. 

Sanggung usually wears a dark shade of jade Dangui.

  

 Geumbak is a traditional Korean craft for applying extremely 

thin gold leaf on hanbok or other fabrics for decoration.

 

  The Queen Mother, Queen Consort and Crown Princess wore Dangui 

with attached ‘Hyungbae' (흉배 = Mandarin Square) placed on the 

chest,  shoulders and the back of the robe. However, Dangui for 

Concubines and Court Ladies don't have Hyungbae on it.

During the early Joseon Dynasty, the robe color was the only reflection 

to one’s rank inside the government: Red (1st senior to 3rd senior rank), 

Blue (3rd junior to 6th junior rank), and Green (7th junior to 9th junior rank).

 

but soon they begun to adapt Hyungbae from the dynasties in China.   

The rank badge, or Hyungbae is made up of embroidered cloud patterns and animals. Cranes for the civil officers and hopyo, a Tiger-Leopard mythical animal for military officers. Hyungbae with two animals are for 1st to 3rd rank and those with single animal are for the 4th to 9th rank. (source)

A queen’s clothing carried the phoenix symbol. Princesses and 

Royal Concubines’ clothes decorated with floral pattern.

 

For the ultimate sign of luxury, only royalty were allowed to wear 

gold-colored clothing or gold-colored trimming, 

whereas non-royalty wore plain dangui.

 15 minutes over... Run~!!!

That's also one of the reasons why I love Hanbok.

No problem even you run or climb big steps with it ^^

Although Imo's face quite fierce, but she's very kind.

She asked us to take more photos here when we

entered the room...

She even offered to snap photos for us...

I love this photo so much!

 Then asked us to take more photos outside...

 and told me to pose like this...

 and volunteered herself to be our photographer ^^

  So, besides of about 15 photos of myself in Dangui 

around Unhyeongung Palace...

We have additional these lovely and cute couple photos~^^

 Thank you so much Imo for these beautiful and memorable photos! ^^

 

 Stay tune for next posting about Unhyeongung Palace...

Related Posts:

[Bettl Hanbok] - Travel back in time~!

   

 

 Go Guan Hanbok Photo Studio (고관 한복 스튜디오) 

 

Gorgeous Gisaeng Hanbok vs Fanciful Fusion Hanbok

 
Fusion Hanbok (퓨전한복)

 

 Experience wearing Kimono in Kyoto.