Unhyeongung
Encyclopedia
Unhyeon Palace also known as Unhyeongung Royal Residence, is a former Korea
n royal residence located at 114-10 Unni-dong, Jongno-gu
, Seoul
, Korea
. It was formerly the residence of Prince Regent Daewon-gun
, ruler of Korea during the Joseon Dynasty
in the 19th century, and father of Emperor Gojong
. Gojong himself also lived in this residence until age 12 when he assumed the throne.
Although the residential complex was taken from Daewon-gun
's descendents under Japanese colonial rule
, it was returned in 1948, and in 1993 they sold it to the Seoul government. It subsequently underwent 3 years of renovations to restore its earlier appearance.
Today's complex is smaller than its previous extent, as Duksung Women's University
now occupies part of its grounds, as well as other smaller businesses including Unhyeon Kindergarten and Byeolhadang hanok guesthouse. The remaining complex includes:
The residence is open to the public; an admission fee is charged.
and Queen Min
. Norakdang also was as one of the two residence buildings for women.
The most notable structure inside Norakdang is the kitchen, which was most likely used for food preparation when hosting important events. The hall held many important events such as birthday parties and related ceremonies.
The traditional wedding ceremony continues to be held at Norakdang.
This ceremony is an exact reenactment, based on thorough historical research and consultation by the palace’s counsel panel, of the regal and grandeur style of the Joseon's imperial family's royal wedding ceremony. This reenactment offers visitors an opportunity to experience the spectacular and elegant traditional royal costumes and lifestyles of the Joseon dynasty. The ceremony is presented to commemorate a significant event in Korean history.
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
n royal residence located at 114-10 Unni-dong, Jongno-gu
Jongno-gu
Jongno-gu is a gu, or district, in central Seoul, South Korea. It takes its name from a major local street, Jongno, which means "Bell Street". Jongno-gu has been the center of the city for 600 years, since where the Joseon dynasty established its capital city...
, Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
, Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
. It was formerly the residence of Prince Regent Daewon-gun
Daewon-gun
Heungseon Daewongun or The Daewongun , or formally Heungseon Heonui Daewonwang and also known to period western diplomats as Prince Gung, was the title of Yi Ha-eung, regent of Joseon during the minority of King Gojong in the 1860s and until his death a key political figure of late Joseon...
, ruler of Korea during the Joseon Dynasty
Joseon Dynasty
Joseon , was a Korean state founded by Taejo Yi Seong-gye that lasted for approximately five centuries. It was founded in the aftermath of the overthrow of the Goryeo at what is today the city of Kaesong. Early on, Korea was retitled and the capital was relocated to modern-day Seoul...
in the 19th century, and father of Emperor Gojong
Gojong of Korea
Gojong , the Emperor Gwangmu was the twenty-sixth king of the Korean Joseon Dynasty and the first emperor of the Korean Empire.-King of the Joseon:Gojong took the throne in 1863 when still a child...
. Gojong himself also lived in this residence until age 12 when he assumed the throne.
History
The site dates from the 14th century. Early buildings were damaged or destroyed over the years, but some of the early construction remains. Under the direction of Queen Mother Jo, Unhyeongung was converted into a grander complex with four gates.Although the residential complex was taken from Daewon-gun
Daewon-gun
Heungseon Daewongun or The Daewongun , or formally Heungseon Heonui Daewonwang and also known to period western diplomats as Prince Gung, was the title of Yi Ha-eung, regent of Joseon during the minority of King Gojong in the 1860s and until his death a key political figure of late Joseon...
's descendents under Japanese colonial rule
Korea under Japanese rule
Korea was under Japanese rule as part of Japan's 35-year imperialist expansion . Japanese rule ended in 1945 shortly after the Japanese defeat in World War II....
, it was returned in 1948, and in 1993 they sold it to the Seoul government. It subsequently underwent 3 years of renovations to restore its earlier appearance.
Today's complex is smaller than its previous extent, as Duksung Women's University
Duksung Women's University
Duksung Women's University is a private university in Seoul, South Korea.-Academics:At the undergraduate level, courses of study are provided through five colleges: Humanities, Natural Science, Pharmacy, Social Science, and Art and Design....
now occupies part of its grounds, as well as other smaller businesses including Unhyeon Kindergarten and Byeolhadang hanok guesthouse. The remaining complex includes:
Structures
Some of the interiors have been refurnished, and contain mannequins dressed in typical clothing styles for various stations of life in Korean history. The complex also contains a small museum.The residence is open to the public; an admission fee is charged.
Norakdang Hall
Norakdang is the largest building within the complex and is the site of wedding of King GojongGojong of Korea
Gojong , the Emperor Gwangmu was the twenty-sixth king of the Korean Joseon Dynasty and the first emperor of the Korean Empire.-King of the Joseon:Gojong took the throne in 1863 when still a child...
and Queen Min
Empress Myeongseong
Empress Myeongseong , also known as Queen Min, was the first official wife of King Gojong, the twenty-sixth king of the Joseon dynasty of Korea...
. Norakdang also was as one of the two residence buildings for women.
The most notable structure inside Norakdang is the kitchen, which was most likely used for food preparation when hosting important events. The hall held many important events such as birthday parties and related ceremonies.
The traditional wedding ceremony continues to be held at Norakdang.
Noandang Hall
Noandang was where Heungseon Daewongun received his guests and also served as the leisure quarters for the men. The hall was not just a place of leisure and entertainment. Heungseon Daewongun, as the father of a young Emperor, carried out all his business from Noandang.Sujiksa
Sujiksa is a small row of rooms to the right from the entrance. These rooms provided housing for the servants and guards.Royal wedding ceremony
Unhyeongung is the site for the Royal wedding ceremony, an reenactment of King Gojong and Empress Myeongseong’s (Queen Min) Royal Wedding Ceremony that took place on the grounds of Unhyeongung on March 21, 1866. This reenactment takes place in the spring and fall of every year.This ceremony is an exact reenactment, based on thorough historical research and consultation by the palace’s counsel panel, of the regal and grandeur style of the Joseon's imperial family's royal wedding ceremony. This reenactment offers visitors an opportunity to experience the spectacular and elegant traditional royal costumes and lifestyles of the Joseon dynasty. The ceremony is presented to commemorate a significant event in Korean history.