A reenactment of the memorial ceremony for the kings and queens of the Joseon Dynasty will take place May 5 at Jongmyo Royal Shrine. According to Confucian tradition, the royal family would perform elaborate rituals here five times each year to pay respect to their ancestors. The tradition still holds today in the form of Jongmyo Royal Shrine Ritual, which is designated as Cultural Property No. 56 in Korea and is said to be the oldest complete ceremony in the world. Jongmyo Jeryeak, the musical part of the ceremony, is produced by instruments, songs, and dances that originated over 600 years ago.

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A number of cheap eateries are lined up along the shrine compound, offering a square meal at around KRW 3,000, a great deal for the retired seniors who like to visit there.

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The Insa-dong area, a prime destination for shoppers, diners, and international tourists, is just one block west of the royal shrine.

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Jongmyo Park, right in front of Jongmyo Shrine, is a major hangout for senior citizens in Seoul and a place for them to play board games and engage in other entertainment.

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T. 02-765-0195, http://jm.cha.go.kr
(157 Jongno, Jongno-gu, Seoul ㅣ서울시 종로구 종로 157 )

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Jongno 3-ga Station 종로3가역 (Line 1, 3, 5), Exit 8 or 11

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Two prominent exhibits are underway till April 21. In Memory of Landscape I Have Never Seen, a high-profile collection from the National Gallery in Prague showcases 107 pieces of carefully selected paintings from 28 different Czech artists. A group of modern masterpieces from Korea is also on display, featuring Lee Jung-sup, Park Soo-keun, and Kim Whan-ki,among many other artists. Admission is 12,000 won and free, respectively.

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Ohyang Jokbal 오향 족발 (T. 02-753-4755) serves five-spice pigs trotters that are immensely popular due to its secret recipe, which seeks to reduce the intense smell of the meat using five different spices.

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The nearby Jongno area is a major shopping district, and Namdaemun Market is within walking distance.

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The museum is part of Deoksugung Palace, which vividly contrasts modern Seoul with traditional Korea. Built during the mid-15th century, it is the smallest of Seoul’s palaces.

FYI>
www.moca.go.kr
T. 02-2188-6000
(102 Seosomun-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul | 서울시 중구 서소문동 102)

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City Hall Station 시청역 (Line 1, 2), Exit 8

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