2011 Dramatomy goes to Seoul Holiday 6

Day 6…..4th June 2011….Seoul

Today we allocate our itinerary for the Museums. The first museum is the Seoul Museum of History. Hours 09:00-21:00 which is on the same line as our hotel Line 5 to Gwanghwamun Station Line then Exit 7. Make a U-turn at the exit 7 to continue on the main street on the right then travel about 7mins. Admission is Free. The museum is closed on Mondays. Seoul Museum of History is the capital’s museum

While walking towards Seoul Museum of History, it was having slight drizzle

A boutique shop that bears the name “Jackie”

Hammering Man in Heungkuk Life Insurance Building

Hammering Man is a series of monumental kinetic sculptures designed by Jonathan Borofsky which have been installed in various cities around the world. Beside Seoul, it is found in Frankfurt & Seattle. The Seoul version was erected in 2002, the largest among the Hammering Man version standing at 72 feet high. Hammering Man’s arm “hammers” once every minute and seventeen seconds.

Seoul Museum of History

Seogyang

Seogyang (석양) is a sheep made of stone, which was erected to pray for the repose of the soul and fend off evil spirits from the earth. They are part of the stone structure in Joseon Royal Tomb

Jangmyeongdang

Jangmyeongdeung (장명등): A stone lantern to comfort the soul and pray for its blessing found in Joseon Royal Tomb.

Muninseok

Muninseok (문인석): Stone Civil Official Scholars made of stone erected on the left and right sides of the Jangmyeongdeung lantern that is arrange in either side to stand guards at the tomb mound. These stone Civil Official Scholar wear official ceremonial attires & wearing official headgears (bokdu – 2 tiered official headgear) & holding a staff (hol made by ivory or wood) in the King’s presence. Civil officials wore such ceremonial attire for audiences with the King & on holidays such as the Winter Solstice or the Lunar New Year. Muniseok are stone figures found in Joseon Royal Tombs

Juganpo

Juganpo are a set of bracket or bracket structure that is place between columns

Enrique Stanko Vraz’s Visit to SEOUL in 1901

Special exhibition in Seoul Museum of History Enrique Stanko Vraz’s Visit to SEOUL in 1901 which ran from 2011-04-14 ~ 2011-06-12

After the Joseon Dynasty opened its doors to foreign countries, diplomats and travelers from the Western world came to Hanyang, the capital of the country, which is now known as Seoul. While travelling throughout Joseon-era Korea, they recorded their impressions by taking photographs and writing books. This exhibition presents as yet never published and exhibited photographs of old Seoul, its people and landscapes made by Czech traveller E. St. Vraz during his visit to Korea.The exhibition also presents early Czech books and magazines on Korea published in before the World War II. This exhibition is co-organized by Naprstek Museum of Asian, African and American Cultures, part of the Czech National Museum, the Embassy of the Czech Republic, and Seoul Museum of History. This exhibition provides a unique opportunity to look back in the beginning of friendly ties and contacts between relations between the Czech Republic and the Republic of Korea. We do hope this exhibition will promote better understanding and further cultural exchange activities between the two nations.

A Granite Map of Injeongjeon in Changdeokgung Palace

A Map of the Changdeokgung palace & its other residence palaces complexes

Changdeokgung palace was said to be over 78 acres when it was the Royal Residence of King, Royal family residences & his Office

An insert of the other palaces residence

Jagyeokru – Self Striking Water clock

Korean Self Striking Water clock (Jagyeokru) was first built by Jang Yeongsil in 1434 because it announced the time automatically. In the older version someone had to change the water twice a day and watch it all day to measure the time. The time was announced by the sound of a drum or gong. That made it quite inconvenient. Learning of this, the great King Sejong of the Joseon dynasty ordered his official to invent a new & improved water clock mechanism. In 1434, Jang Yeongsil invented the more advanced water clock & named it ”Jagyeokru”. It was improved on the previous version because it announced the time automatically. As the water level rises, a buoy floats up as well. The buoy is connected to an automatic device that causes a metal bead to roll down. The movement of the rolling bead strikes the drum or gong, causing a sound that announces the time. In ancient times, one of the king’s duties was to let his subjects know the time for work and for rest. The Jagyeokru, which would announce the time without the aid of man, marked a key innovation of its era.

The Map of Korea

Ceremonial Drawing of the Joseon Dynasty 1

A look at a house in Korea during the 60s

The Alley of Seoul

An eatery in Seoul in the 70s

Fitting the tiles in the roof of a Hanok

The roof bracket of a tile roof

A dragon

Blue and White Cobalt Porcelain Bottle with Cloud and Dragon Pattern

This piece is typical of the porcelain produced at the state-run Ceramics Agency in the nineteenth century. The plump lower section lends this piece a sense of stability. A single line is painted around the edge of the foot. The body is adorned with a Chinese-style dragon pattern. In a strikingly dynamic pose, the dragon reaches forward with its four claws outstretched to capture the wish-fulfilling gem. The scales, beard, and hair give the dragon a realistic appearance but the exaggerated body and hair are more amusing than awesome. The areas around the dragon are fully decorated in cloud patterns.

A regular Dragon only has 4 claws while the Imperial dragon has 5 claws to represent Son of heaven usually assigned to the Emperor of China but the Joseon King does wear the embroidery Imperial 5 claw Dragon on his Gollyongpo robes

Ceremonial Drawing of the Joseon Dynasty 2

Ceremonial Drawing of the Joseon Dynasty 3

Irworobongdo – Folding-screen of the Sun, Moon and the Five Peaks

Irworobongdo is a folding-screen of the Sun, Moon & the Five Peaks with Pine trees usually found behind the throne. The Joseon throne is known as the Peacock Throne

King Yeongjo (1694-1776)’s essay about his visit to his mother’s birthplace circa 1770

Joseon Royal Seal (Eobo)

Royal Voucher for mobilisation troops (Byeong Bu)

Scene from Dong Yi – In Episode 6, Seo Yong Gi received the Byeong Bu pass to him by a passerby that was handed to him by Sukjong

Gerry on the Peacock Throne (Eojwa) with Irworobongdo folding screen behind

Jackie on the Peacock Throne (Eojwa) with Irworobongdo folding screen behind

Special exhibition in Seoul Museum of History Enrique Stanko Vraz’s Visit to SEOUL in 1901

IMG_1821
Model of the Hanok house in Bukchon

Outside Seoul Museum of History

On the way to Gyeonghuigung palace

Gyeonghuigung Palace is admission Free. It is closed on Mondays & was use as a location for the drama Hwangjini. Gyeonghuigung palace is just next to Seoul Museum of History

In front of Sungjeongmun at Gyeonghuigung Palace

Gyeonghuigung palace (Palace of Serene Harmony) was built circa 1617 during the 9th year reign of King Gwanghaegun is one of the 5 representative palaces of the Joseon Dynasty. After it was built, it was named Gyeongdeokgung Palace but alter during the reign of King Yeongjo, it was name Gyeonghuigung Palace. Gyeonghuigung Palace was also known as Seogwol (literally Palace in the West) as to compare Donggwol is known as Palace in the East which compose as Changdeokgung Palace & Changgyeonggung Palace. In addition to Sungjeongjeon the throne hall of Gyeonghuigung palace & Jajeongjeon for Royal audience then the sleeping quarters of Yungbokjeon & Hoesangjeon then buildings like Heungjeongdang & Jangnakjeon. It is said that Gyeonghuigung has about 100 halls complex but most of which were burnt down in two separate conflagrations, one during the 29th year of the reign of King Sunjo (1829) and the other during the 20th year of the reign of King Gojong.

We then proceed to the National Palace Museum of Korea, which is adjacent to Gyeongbokgung palace. You can access National Palace Museum from Line 3 Gyeongbokgung Station Exit 5, walk about 5mins. Hours are 09:00-18:00. There is an admission of W2,000 but the say we went, admission to the National palace Museum was Free

While walking towards the National Palace Museum of Korea, we pass by the Sejong Centre of Performing Arts

Jackie curious what book he is reading

Art Garden – Exhibition held in the Sejong Centre of Performing Arts

Art Garden Exhibit 1

Art Garden Exhibit 2

We passed by Gwanghwamun & they has the Changing of Guards

Gwanghwamun

Changing of Guard in Gwanghwamun

Haechi @ Gwanghwamun

The fabled Haechi, a lion-like horned creature, has been chosen as the symbol representing Seoul

National Palace Museum of Korea

Inside the Gyeongbokgung Palace wall with Gwanghwamun behind

Signage of the National Palace Museum of Korea

Museum shops in the National Palace Museum sell authentic souvenior that worth some interest to look at & purchase

The Family tree of 19th Joseon King Sukjong

Details of the Family tree of 19th Joseon King Sukjong

Here it is said that Royal Noble Consort Sukbin of Choe Clan has 3 sons

Details of the Family tree of 22nd Joseon King Jeongjo

Details of the Family tree of 4th Joseon King Sejong the Great

Outer case & silver seal bestowed to Jeongjo from his grandfather Yeongjo

Will of Admonition to Jeongjo from his grandfather Yeongjo

The Memorial Tablet Shrine of Sejong the Great & Queen Soheon

This is a replica sample of what you will actually seen in Jongmyo Shrine

The signage of the Royal Palace Kitchen (Suragan)

The signage of the Royal Hospital Naeuiwon

Quart-Tiger Sword and Tri-Tiger Sword of King Taejo

Grand Ceremonial Skirt Pattern Hot Stamp

Scene taken from Yi San of the sample of the Ceremonial Skirt

The Spirit of Seong Song Yeon coming to see the ailing Jeongjo

Tang Ui – Ceremonial Jacket worn by Consorts 1

Tang Ui – Ceremonial Jacket worn by Consorts 2

Door Screen

Emperor Gojong’s Automobiles

We then went to have lunch near Gyeongbokgung palace – Jeonju Bibimbap

Jeonju Bibimbap restaurant

Our Bibimbap order

Close up on our Dolsot Bibimbap

Then we walk back towards Gwanghwamun Square towards KNTO in Jonggak

Walking on the grass patch in Gwanghwamun Square

Hangeul Alphabet at the base of Sejong the Great statue

Below Gwanghwamun Square there is a basement that tell the story of Sejong the Great

The story of Sejong the Great

Portrait of Sejong the Great

There was art competition by the children.

Sejong the Great cracking his head to create a written language for his people

Singijeon

Under Sejong Military policy, Singijeon was made in 1448, 30th year of Sejong the Great reign. Singijeon literally means Gods Machine Arrow is a multi launcher rocket system that is mounted by rocket arrow that has a pouch containing gunpowder that is store inside of them. Once out of the launcher, the fire-arrows were set to detonate automatically near the target area. This ancient Korean arsenal was made into a movie in 2008 “Singijeon – The Divine Weapon”.

Korean Stone Carillon – Pyeongyeong & Korean Bell Carillon – Pyeonjong

Pyeongyeong & Pyeonjong are 16 polished stones or bells are suspended in two rows and tuned by varying its thicknesses & are consider ritual ceremonial musical instrument in Korean Royal Music

While in KNTO to do some reservation for dinner & the use of free internet service, there is a little store that sells k-drama memorabilia

Gil Ra Rim’s cat in Secret Garden

Scene taken from Secret Garden

Pig Rabbit from You’re Beautiful

Jang Geum Seok creation of Pig Rabbit

In the drama You’re Beautiful “Pig-Rabbit” was arose out of a nickname that Jang Geun Seok‘s character had for Park Shin Hye; the plush version was created when he cannibalized two stuffed animals in Episode 9 to produce a bunny with a pig snout that made her very happy to see the plush toy

We decided to go to the location for the drama “Lie to Me” – A Twosome place Dessert Café. The outlet is said to be the Gangnam Branch. Take Line 2 Gangnam Station Exit 4 walk 100m ahead

A Twosome place Dessert Café frontage

A Twosome place Dessert Café Side entrance

Scene taken from Lie to Me

Staircase to the 1st floor – Location where Hyeon Gi Joon waves to Goo Ah Jung

Scene taken from Lie To Me “Yeobo, I am here”

A Twosome place Dessert Café Windows

Scene taken from Lie To Me

Our orders in A Twosome place Dessert Café Side

A Twosome place Dessert Café Side macaroons & coffee

Then we adjourn for dinner after A Twosome place Dessert Café to Jaksal Chicken

Jaksal Chicken is located Line 8, Seokchon Station Exit 7. If you come out Seokchon station Exit 7, go straight forward about 50 meters, make right turn to first side street, the corner is a Korean restaurant with a car park frontage then go another 50 meters from there, you can see the red & yellow signboard on left side.

Door open at Jaksal Chicken during the Summer

Our Jaksal Chicken Order

A photo with the waiter who waited on our table

We then return to back to the hotel