Gyoungbokgung's special building, Geunjeongjeon hall

The true beauty of Gyeongbokgung Palace lies in the center—Geunjeongjeon Hall. Built during the Joseon dynasty in 1394 by King Taejo, Geunjeongjeon Hall served primarily for royal ceremonies, royal weddings, and even state affairs.  It was designated as national treasure No.223 in 1985 because of the way it was built with the beauty and history of both tragic and triumphant moments. Even today, we admire the work done by the Joseon people to construct these buildings. Yet, there are still a lot of mysteries: How were they able to build a building with a high rooftop with such precision and artistry? 

When I was in Korea, I visited Gyeongbokgung Palace many times, and I remember the beauty of Geunjeongjeon hall. The color of the rooftop, known as Danchoung, and the traditional patterns covering the building were astonishing. Visiting Geunjeongjeon hall made me realize the reason it was called the beauty of the Joseon dynasty, giving me further questions of what it would have been like to live in that era. 

Despite being one of the most remarkable buildings in Gyeongbokgung Palace, Geunjeongjeon Hall also leaves us with questions. How did Joseon people build such a tall building with such intricate designs?  Many people, when looking at the photos of Geunjeongjeon Hall, mistakenly believe that it has multiple floors. In reality, it is just a single-story building with a high rooftop. Even more intriguing is the presence of japsang, small figurines representing characters from Journey to the West, located high on the roof.   How were these figures placed so high up? Even today, archaeologists continue to study the construction techniques of this mysterious building.

Beyond the exterior,  the interior of Geunjeongjeon hall is also captivating. On the ceiling, there is a breathtaking design called Ssangyong Heeju, which features two golden dragons holding a sacred orb. In Korean culture, yong (the dragon) represents royalty and the king’s power, making it an appropriate emblem for the hall. Surrounding Geunjeongjeon hall stand four statues of the guardians, each facing one of the cardinal directions. They are Hyeonmu (Black Tortoise), Jujak (Red Pheonix), Beakho (White Tiger), and Cheonryong (Blue Dragon), mythical creatures of Koeran cosmology. Carved from rocks, these statues raise another question: How did the Joseon artisans sculpt such beautiful figures of guardian figures from solid rock?

Geunjeongjeon Hall, the beautiful building in Gyeongbokgung Palace, remains a place of mystery even after centuries. By appreciating and understanding the natural beauty of the Geunjeongjeon Hall, visitors will gain a deeper understanding of Korea’s rich culture and heritage. As such, I recommend visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace and Geunjeongjeon Hall by booking free tours given by students through this link (https://thegunggwol.imweb.me/Preview)

Jooa(Bella) Lim

Works Cited

Korean Culture and Information Service (KOCIS). (n.d.). Main throne hall at Gyeongbokgung Palace to be opened to public : Korea.net : The official website of the Republic of Korea. Copyright(C) 1999-2016 KOCIS. All Rights Reserved. https://www.korea.net/NewsFocus/Culture/view?articleId=173970 

국가문화유산포털 |. (n.d.). COPYRIGHT(C) 2000~CULTURAL HERITAGE ADMINISTRATION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. https://www.heritage.go.kr/heri/gungDetail/gogungDetail.do?serial_number=161&language=eng&detail_code=11&gung_number=1 

Busan Pedia. (n.d.). Complete Guide to Gyeongbokgung Palace (경복궁) in Seoul. Busan Pedia. Retrieved from https://www.busanpedia.com/gyeongbokgung-palace-seoul-korea/. 

Korea Heritage Service. (n.d.). Gyeongbokgung Palace. Korea Heritage Service. Retrieved from https://english.cha.go.kr/html/HtmlPage.do?pg=/royal/RoyalPalaces_4.jsp&mn=EN_02_03_01. 

Mark, & Morgan, K. (2023). How To Visit Gyeongbokgung Palace In Seoul. Where Are Those Morgans. Retrieved from https://wherearethosemorgans.com/how-to-visit-gyeongbokgung-palace-seoul/.