Changdeokgung: Korean Royal Palace

by Yi Hyang-woo

A moment of healing at a rayal palace : Healing Travel to a Korean Royal Palace-The palace is a place of healing!During thirty-six years of Japanese occupation, the palace endured the period of its destruction and the wound. Now the palace has transformed to the space awakening our insensitivities. Thus the palace is a healing space for us. At the same time, the palace also needs a healing by telling us about its wound and the history.The palace is the story!In 1910, the last cabinet meeting of the Great Han Empire was held in Heungbokheon Hall in the presence of Emperor Sunjong, and the Great Han Empire lost its sovereignty. Thereafter, Japanese authorities dismantled Gyotaejeon Hall in Gyeongbokgung, which was the symbol of the Royal authority, and used the materials to rebuild the burnt Daejojeon. It shows Japan’s intention to wipe out the already ravaged dignity of the Joseon Royal Court.The palace is the history!The stylish pavilion with its feet immersing in the pond is in the shape of pure lotus flower which is about to blossom. So it has the name of ‘Lotus Pavilion.’The palace is a precious cultural heritage!The palace is an everlasting cultural heritage which exemplifies an ideal balance between the beauty of nature and simplistic architectures. Searching for the lives of the Joseon people by strolling in the palace is the moment of indulging in a cultural fragrance.About the Author-Written and Illustrated by Yi Hyang-woo She graduated from Seoul National University with a major in sculpture, and held sculpture exhibitions many times. She was a teacher for twenty-three years. Since 2000, she has been working as a Korean palace guardian belonging to NGO called The Rediscovery of Korea. She won official commendation from the Head of Cultural Heritage Administration. She is the author of Korean Royal Geongbokgung(in Englsih) and Healing Travel to a Korean Royal Geongbokgung, Changdeokgung,Changgyeonggung,Deoksugung(in Korean). Translated by Won Hyeon-suk She graduated from Yonsei University with a major in English, and taught English for 10 years at some middle schools in Seoul. Since 2003, she has been working as a cultural heritage expounder for foreigners at palaces and royal tombs.Translated by Yi Choonsun She graduated from Ewha Womans University with a major in English, and worked as a cultural heritage expounder for NGO called Rediscovery of Korea. In 2011 and in 2013, she won the Gold Prizes as the top prize in two Contests, ‘Storytelling Program with the theme on the Palaces’ and ‘Contest for Development of Storytelling Utilization Program on Cultural Assets’ by the Cultural Heritage Administration. Presently she is working for Gyeongbokgung Palace Office as the team leader of the Information Center and a cultural heritage expounder.Supervised by Mark Patton He earned an MBA in International Marketing from Michigan State University, and has worked toward a degree in Tourism Studies at Hanyang University and consulted at Samsung Everland. Since 2003 he has worked with C-Suite executives, managers and employees of a wide variety of organizations to strengthen their organizational culture.contents-1. A Road to Donhwamun Gate2. Crossing Geumcheongyo Bridge3. Proceeding to Government Offices Inside the Palace4. Injeongjeon Hall : Practicing Benevolent Governance5. Seonjeongjeon : King’s Council Hall6. Huijeongdang Hall : Dreaming of Bright Ruling7.

416 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 9, 2015