π§ Yul's Korea Audio Guide
Jongmyo Shrine
Narrated in English with Korean phrases by YUL of KVIBE IDOLS.
π΅ Background music: Still in That Spring (κ·Έ λ΄μ λ¨Έλ¬Όλ¬) β KVIBE IDOLS Β· Listen to the full song β
Full transcript
Annyeong, yeoreobun! It's Yul. A spooky... I mean, spiritual question: Where do Joseon kings live after they die? Right here. Welcome to Jongmyo Shrine.
When King Taejo made Seoul his capital, he built two things first: a palace for the living king, and Jongmyo, for the royal ancestors. Construction began in 1394. In Confucian Joseon, honoring ancestors was everything.
Now look at the main hall, Jeongjeon. It is long. Really long. It's called the longest traditional-style building in Korea. Why so long? Because over the centuries, as more kings passed away, more rooms were added! Today it holds the spirit tablets of 19 kings and 30 queens. A second hall, Yeongnyeongjeon, holds 16 kings and 18 queens.
Plot twist: this place is almost plain on purpose. No golden roofs, no fancy towers, just red pillars, dark roofs and a wide stone yard. It's meant to feel calm, solemn and eternal. UNESCO listed Jongmyo as World Heritage in 1995.
And it's not just a museum. Every year, on the first Sunday in May, descendants of the royal family perform Jongmyo Jerye, the royal ancestral ritual, with court music and sixty-four dancers in eight rows. UNESCO recognized the ritual and its music in 2001. The show goes on. Daebak!
Yul's tip! On most days you enter with a guided tour at set times, but on Saturdays you can explore freely. It's closed on Tuesdays.
Next, something livelier: an art street with a spiral mall and a very special coffee sign. Kaja!
