As the cool autumn breeze sets in, a series of performances and experiential events will take place at the palaces and gardens. Gyeongbokgung Palace will showcase a concert combining traditional court music and ballet, while Changdeokgung Palace will open the previously restricted Prince's study. Traditional music performances will also be held at Seoul Forest.
According to the Cultural Heritage Administration, the 'Ballet x Sujecheon' concert will be held at the Jibokjae Hall in Gyeongbokgung from October 2 to 5 at 7 p.m.
This performance combines Sujecheon, a representative form of court music, with ballet, a prominent Western court dance. Now in its fifth year, the event has sold out every year since its inception in 2022.
More than 90 performers, including the K-Arts Ballet Company and the Sujecheon Project, will take part. The concert will feature three acts: 'Ballet Jeongjae,' which merges Sujecheon with classical ballet; 'Ballet Fantasy,' which intertwines romantic ballet with traditional music; and 'Ballet Binari,' which showcases ballet alongside traditional Korean percussion. Tickets will be available starting at 5 p.m. on the 11th, priced at 20,000 won.
At Changdeokgung, visitors will have the opportunity to explore the space where the Crown Prince studied and trained. From September 22 to November 8, the exhibition 'A Day in the Crown Prince's Life: Steps to Becoming a King' will take place in the Seongjeonggak and Gwanmulheon areas. This exhibition will present the learning journey of Crown Prince Hyomyeong (1809–1830) through displays, theater, and hands-on experiences.
Notably, the eastern pavilion of Seongjeonggak, 'Heeuru,' will be opened to the public for the first time, having previously been off-limits. Visitors can apply on-site from Tuesday to Saturday between 10:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Each session will accommodate a maximum of eight people for a 15-minute viewing.
The Seongjeonggak will recreate the study space where the Crown Prince and his teacher learned together. Every Saturday, a theatrical performance will depict the dialogues between Crown Prince Hyomyeong and his teacher. At Gwanmulheon, hands-on experiences will modernize the six arts (including archery, writing, and mathematics) that the Crown Prince mastered. Participants can try archery through VR and learn ancient calculation methods using traditional tools. There will also be a program to create bookmarks by writing passages from the 'Analects' and 'Great Learning.'
On Sundays, a program called 'Becoming Crown Prince Hyomyeong' will be held for elementary school students in grades 1 to 3. Participants will learn etiquette alongside actors portraying the Crown Prince and his teacher, and they will experience copying passages from the 'Great Learning' and playing traditional games. This program is free and requires advance reservation.
Seoul Forest will host traditional music performances as well. From September 11 to October 24, the 'Heritage Garden Music Concert' will take place every Friday and Saturday at the K-Heritage Garden. Fridays will feature fusion traditional music aimed at commuters, while Saturdays will offer folk songs and traditional music performances suitable for families. Admission is free and does not require a reservation.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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