Deoksugung Palace History Guide: The Tragic Korean Empire Story

Hello, and welcome! Today, we’re taking a detailed tour of Deoksugung Palace in Seoul, which is personally my favorite among Korea's five grand palaces. Deoksugung offers a unique charm, standing in beautiful harmony with modern skyscrapers—a vivid juxtaposition of the past and the present. Yet, this palace holds a profound and tragic history, from its start as a temporary royal residence after the Japanese invasions to its role as the centerpiece of the Daehan Empire (Korean Empire) during the tumultuous era of colonization. Video Highlights 👉Observatory View: A panoramic look at Deoksugung from the Seoul City Hall Annex. 👉A Palace of Crisis: How Deoksugung became a temporary palace after the 1592 invasions. 👉The Heart of the Empire: Exploring Junghwajeon, the main hall, reflecting the nation's financial and political decline. 👉Western Architecture: The striking European-style Seokjojeon Hall, built just before Korea fell to Japan. 👉Architectural Diversity: The unique blended styles of Jeonggwanheon and the two-story private residence, Seok-eo-dang. 👉Diplomatic Vortex: Tracing the complex foreign relations surrounding the palace, including the Russian and British Legations. 👉The Stone Wall Path: Walking the famous Deoksugung Doldam-gil (Stone Wall Road), a popular yet historically ironic dating spot. 👉End of the Tour: Visiting the former Russian Legation site (where King Gojong sought refuge) and ending at Gwanghwamun Square. Join me as we explore the palace's diverse architecture and the fascinating, yet often heartbreaking, history tied to each spot, following the footsteps of the Korean Empire’s complex struggle for survival. Thank you for watching! 🙏 Please subscribe and like to support the channel! [Timestamps] 0:00 Observation deck. 0:46 Daehanmun, the main gate of the palace. 1:37 Hamnyeongjeon, the king's bedroom. 3:17 Junghwajeon, the central building. 4:43 Seokjojeon, the European-style palace. 6:07 Jeokjodang, the king's office. 7:07 Jeonggwanheon, the royal storage. 8:06 Dondeokjeon, the exclusive residence for VIPs. 8:56 Seokeodang, the royal family's private residence. 9:28 Exiting the palace. 10:03 Deoksugung Stone Wall Road. 11:36 North area of ​​Deoksugung Palace. 12:08 Joseon Savings Bank director's residence. 12:51 King Gojong's Road. 13:20 Former Russian Embassy. 14:32 Gwanghwamun Square intersection. 14:50 Admiral Yi Sun-sin statue. #Deoksugung #DeoksugungPalace #SeoulTravel #SeoulPalaces #KoreanEmpire #Seokjojeon #KoreaHistory #AsianHistory #Gojong #Gwanghwamun #SeoulLandmark #PalaceTour #Koreanculture