SEOUL, Jan. 27 (Korea Bizwire) — In a significant restoration project, Heungbokjeon Hall at Seoul’s Gyeongbokgung palace, where King Gojong (r. 1863-1907) once received foreign envoys, will soon be adorned with traditional Korean decorative painting, returning the historic structure to its original splendor.
The Cultural Heritage Administration’s Royal Palaces and Tombs Center recently presented plans to restore the traditional dancheong (decorative colored patterns) to the Heungbokjeon area, according to an announcement made on January 26.
Heungbokjeon Hall, constructed during the extensive reconstruction of Gyeongbokgung in the 1860s, served as a significant diplomatic venue during King Gojong’s reign, hosting envoys from Germany, Japan, Italy, and France. The hall also holds historical significance as the location where Queen Sinjeong, mother of King Heonjong (r. 1834-1849) and the adoptive mother of King Gojong, passed away in 1890.
Though its name means “to bring forth good fortune,” Heungbokjeon was demolished during the Japanese colonial period. The current structure, situated between Gyotaejeon Hall and Hamhwadang Hall, was reconstructed between 2015 and 2018, but has remained unpainted.
The restoration project, scheduled to begin as early as April, will utilize traditional color schemes based on historical documents including the “Construction Daily Record,” “Annals of the Joseon Dynasty,” and “Daily Records of the Royal Secretariat.” The design has undergone expert consultation and will feature five traditional colors: blue, red, yellow, white, and black.
Specific architectural elements will receive distinct treatments: the pillars of Heungbokjeon and its corridors will be painted with traditional red earth pigment (seokganju), while roof elements such as rafters will feature linear decorative patterns. Expert consultants have advised considering precedents from other buildings in Gyeongbokgung and emphasizing thorough preparation to prevent future maintenance issues.
The Royal Palaces and Tombs Center plans to complete the dancheong restoration by the end of next year. Officials noted that the six-year delay since the hall’s reconstruction has allowed sufficient time for the wooden structures to dry properly, making this an appropriate time to apply the protective decorative painting.
Image credit: The Royal Palaces and Tombs Center / photonews@koreabizwire.com
