Awakening the Morning Palace: A Stroll Through Stillness at Changdeokgung

Imagine Changdeokgung Palace at 8 in the morning, with no other soul in sight, just you, the administrative staff, and the feline inhabitants of the palace grounds. Besides a beautiful insight into the history of Changdeokgung offered by our guide, Fabien Yoon, one of the biggest perks of participating in the "Awakening of the Morning Palace" was having the usually crowded palace only for ourselves.

Our fearless group gathered in the cloudy morning light despite the imminent threat of rain. There was even a quiet excitement among us—something sacred about entering a palace before the city had fully awakened. As we passed through the gate of Changdeokgung, a sudden hush enveloped us. The modern world faded away. No car horns, no footsteps, no hum of city life. Just stillness.

This extraordinary experience was made possible by the K-Culture Royal Festival, a celebration of Korean heritage that opens the doors to immersive cultural encounters. Held across Seoul’s five grand palaces, the festival offers everything from royal processions and traditional music to exclusive guided tours—like our very own "Awakening the Morning Palace."

Our guide for the morning Fabien Yoon - French actor and broadcaster, also a guest docent at the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History - brought the palace’s stories to life with an infectious passion for Korean history. His presentation was both entertaining and rich with detail, but also very easy to understand. With every anecdote and historical insight he told, his enthusiasm drew us in, bridging centuries with ease. We found ourselves seeing the palace not just as visitors, but as students of a living history.

The gifts for the participants (personal archive)

Adding to the richness of the experience, we were treated to beautifully presented traditional Korean desserts, subtle and elegant in both taste and appearance. Each participant received a carefully designed event brochure, a keepsake as refined and thoughtful as the tour itself. And, to capture the moment, we were given a physical photograph of our group with our guide—taken in the tranquil beauty of the Secret Garden, a setting that felt like something from a dream.

The tour was more than informative—it was inspiring. In the quiet of Changdeokgung, we didn’t just learn about the past. For one unforgettable morning, we lived it.