Gyeongbokgung
Chronicles
This website is my independent initiative to create a centralized, chronologically organized archive of Gyeongbokgung’s history—one that moves beyond surface-level summaries and actively spotlights marginalized palace roles and spaces.
Preserve History
Provide a comprehensive, Wikipedia-style reference of major events that took place within Gyeongbokgung Palace.
Educate the Public
Organize all existing and lost buildings (especially from Gojong’s late-19th century reconstruction) by function and user group—soldiers, court ladies, concubines, eunuchs, and others.
Highlight Cultural Significance
Integrate unofficial or lesser-known historical anecdotes alongside personal interpretations of primary sources, to help others engage deeply with palace life.
Revive Forgotten Stories
While only ~25% of the original palace remains today due to destruction during Japanese occupation, I aim to reconstruct a fuller picture of the lives that once animated these walls.
Welcome to my favorite rabbit hole — Gyeongbokgung like you’ve never seen it before!
To begin your adventure, pick a “character.” Are you a Prince? A court lady? Maybe a eunuch on official business? Each course is based on who lived or worked in these halls — because the palace wasn’t just about the king (though he’s pretty cool too), it was a whole buzzing world of people and purpose. Once you’ve picked your person, start clicking on the little location icons scattered across the palace grounds. These aren’t just dots—each one unlocks an on-site video filmed with special permission from the palace itself, over four months of tip-toeing, filming, and obsessing over light angles. Each spot also includes juicy details I compiled from the Veritable Records of the Chosŏn Dynasty (the ultimate behind-the-scenes sourcebook). Follow the icon path just as a real tour would guide you —something I’ve had the joy of doing over 40 times in the last five years.
Happy wandering!
Project Overview
This website is my independent initiative to create the first centralized, chronologically organized, and role-based digital archive of Gyeongbokgung Palace’s history. Unlike surface-level summaries that focus mainly on kings and major events, this project dives deeper — mapping not only what happened when and where, but also to whom.
It highlights the often-overlooked lives of those who served in the palace: court ladies, eunuchs, concubines, stable keepers, guards, and more. By organizing the palace’s architecture, daily routines, and historical records by social role and physical space, this platform allows users to experience the palace as a living ecosystem—not just a royal monument, but a 500-year home of complex human stories.
Gallery
This gallery showcases every tour I’ve led since January 2022—the moment I took my first steps as an official English tour guide at Gyeongbokgung, licensed through the Korea History Explanation Promotion Agency.
What started as a single tour quickly became a passion and the driving force behind this entire project. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of guiding 40+ tours for visitors from more than 20 countries. Many of these amazing guests have stayed in touch, sharing thoughtful feedback and questions that have helped shape not only my tours but also the very design and motivation of this website.
So, a huge thank you to all the curious minds who joined me on these journeys—your enthusiasm keeps the palace’s stories alive and pushes me to keep exploring and sharing.