Tomb of King Sejong the Great in Yeoju

Posted on March 28, 2012 by dramasrok

The tomb of King Sejong the Great (Yoengneung) is in Yeoju, about an hour away from Seoul by bus. We went last weekend and even though it was coming to the end of March, it was still cold – minus 2 and very windy. It even snowed for a bit on the way too. But while we were there the sun came out. It seems to be a popular place for school / church trips and there was a constant stream of people arriving – families, adjummas, groups of kids. And as we were leaving, a huge (and I mean HUGE) party of children and adults with megaphones arrived. But we were on our way out by then. Good timing.

The tomb is up on a hill surrounded by pine trees following geomantic rules Continue reading “Tomb of King Sejong the Great in Yeoju” »

Jongmyo Shrine

Posted on March 6, 2012 by dramasrok

Jongmyo Shrine – the National Shrine
UNESCO World Heritage list 1995

Since reading up about the Joseon kings, I realised that I hadn’t even been to Jongmyo Shrine in Seoul where the tablets of Joseon kings and queens are enshrined and memorial services held for them. Apparently, out of all the Confucian states in Asia, Korea is the only one that has preserved its royal shrine and continues to conduct royal ancestral rites. And these ceremonies are carried out here at Jongmyo Shrine.

Jongmyo Jerye, the Royal Ancestral Rite, was the most important state ritual. It was conducted by the King 5 times a year at Jeongjeon (the main hall) and twice a year at Yeongnyeongjeon (a smaller hall built later when Jeongjeon couldn’t accommodate any more tablets). The crown prince and high ranking civilians and officials attended the ceremony which also involved instrumental music, singing, and dancing. These days Jongmyo Jerye is performed once a year on the first Sunday in May. (I bet it gets pretty crowded but I might try going this year.) King Taejo (the first king of Joseon) made Hanyang (Seoul) the capital of Joseon and then started the construction of the shrine which was completed in 1395.

detail of the roof of the entrance to Jongmyo Shrine Continue reading “Jongmyo Shrine” »

Study Korean Through Drama: DRT ep10 천륜 filial piety

Posted on March 3, 2012 by dramasrok

Karion, the butcher in Banchon is arrested after his knife is found in a scholar’s room attached to a threatening letter. But everyone is shocked because Karion has gained the King’s trust and often comes and goes from the palace. Could he really have something to do with the murders that are happening in the palace? Chae Yoon believes he is innocent but is worried that Karion is being framed and will not get justice because he is only a lowly butcher. Meanwhile Jo Mal Seng (who has been trying to catch Milbon for years and is DETERMINED to find them) questions Karion in the prison cell. He starts off gently as though he sympathises with Karion, but even though his voice is soft there is a tense atmosphere throughout the scene. He sounds TOO soft and understanding, and so it feels like he could turn nasty at ANY second … (the Korean script has been checked by a native speaker)