Parts of this palace appear as the main palace in Bloody Heart/Red Heart (Bulg-eun Dansim/붉은 단심) (KBS2, 2022).

This palace was also seen in The King’s Affection/Yeonmo (연모) (KBS2, 2021).

— On Your Wedding Day (너의 결혼식) (2018).

As featured in ‘Korean Heritage Travelog’ with MONSTA X #1 (몬스타엑스 문화유산견문록 제1화) (문화유산 방문 캠페인, 2020). Sites featured were Injeongjeon Hall, Seonjeongjeon Hall, Nakseonjae Hall and Buyongjeong Pond.

Junhamnu Pavilion —literally meaning the ‘pavilion where every kind of principle of the universe gathers’— is a two-story building overlooking this pond; formerly used similar to today’s libraries

King Yeongjo (Lee Deok-hwa) and Yi San (Lee Jun-ho/Junho of 2PM) spend a day fishing at Buyongji Pond, with Juhamnu Pavilion at their backs in episode 7 of The Red Sleeve/The Red Sleef Cuff (옷소매 붉은 끝동) (MBC, 2021-22).

The aging King Yeongjo (Han Suk-kyu) is being accompanied by his grandson Yi San —future King Jeongjo— (Lee Je-hoon) while walking the area of this pond in final part of the final episode 24 of Secret Door (비밀의 문) (SBS, 2014).

This pond area was used as location shots for Jang Hee-bin/Royal Story (장희빈/Jangheebin) (KBS2, 2002-03) and Rooftop Prince/Attic Prince (옥탑방 왕세자) (SBS, 2012).

When the trio Song Man-bo (Lee Tae-ri), Do Chi-san (Choi Woo-sik) and Woo Yong-sool (Jung Suk-won) as well as Prince Lee Gak arrives in the 21st century and first thought to go towards the palace first in episode 2 of Rooftop Prince/Attic Prince (옥탑방 왕세자) (SBS, 2012), Hong Se-na (Jung Yoo-mi) drops them of at this gate. When demanding to open the door, a police patrol chases them from the gate.

(Side note: there was a theory by K-netizens stating that the fictional Yi Gak was actually King Gyeongjong of Joseon, Jang hee-bin’s son. Hence, Yi Gak going to Changdeokgung Palace makes sense, since in reality the main palace of Gyeongbokgung got burned down in 1592 during the first wave of the Japanese invasions and would not be rebuilt until the 19th century during the regency of King Gojong. For the meantime Changdeokgung Palace served as the main palace for around 300 years — Lr).

The Crown Prince Yi Chang (Ju Ji-hoon), as for him, is seen standing in this pavilion in Kingdom (킹덤/Kingdeom) (Netflix, 2019 — Season 1) and after the ceremonial institution of the Regency, Jo Hak-joo (Ryoo Seung-ryong) and his daughter the Queen-Regent (Kim Hye-jun, still in her robes) have a private conversation in the pavilion regarding power. The pond that is part of this pavilion is also the palace’s disposal area of zombie-infected personnel in Kingdom

This garden appears as parts of the palace in The Crowned Clown (왕이 된 남자) (tvN, 2019) where clown Ha Sun (Yeo Jin-Goo) and Queen Yoo So-woon (Lee Se-young) meet in episode 4.

The King’s eunuchs were leading Baek Man-geum (Choi Bok-sun’s erstwhile gambler husband played by Lee Moon-sik) for a private audience with King Sukjong (Choi Min-soo) at this pavilion in episode 2 of The Royal Gambler/Jackpot (대박) (SBS, 2016).

This garden was used a leisure place within the palace by the members of the royal families. It carries a multitude of different names such as Huwon, Biwon but also Bukwon, Geumwon.

Princess Lee Yeon-joo (Kim Ji-yeon/Bona of WJSN) visits her brother, King Seongjong of Joseon/Lee Hyul (Song Geon-hee), at the palace in episode 1 of Joseon Attorney/Joseon Attorney: A Morality/Joseon Lawyer (조선변호사) (MBC, 2023) and she finds him templating at this part of the palace.

This garden appears as parts of the palace in episode 1 of The Red Sleeve/The Red Sleef Cuff (옷소매 붉은 끝동) (MBC, 2021-22). Young (Lee Seol-a) and later adult Sung Deok-im (Lee Se-young) is seen running through it in episode 1.

This garden appears as parts of the palace in Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung (신입사관 구해령) (MBC, 2019) and Lee Rim (Cha Eun-woo) —accompanied by Heo Sam-bo (Sung Ji-ru)— crosses this garden when sneaking out of the palace in episode 2 (full episode 1) with the approval of his brother Lee Jin (Park Ki-woong) who appears unexpectedly.

Lee Hun/Ha Sun (Yeo Jin-goo) looks at his reflection and contemplates the Queen at Juhamnu Pavilion, in episode 6 of The Crowned Clown (왕이 된 남자) (tvN, 2019).

It is at the Yeonghwadang Hall [영화당] of this garden that Crown Prince Hyomyeong (Park Bo-gum) overhears a conversation between the King and his head eunuch in episode 2 of Moonlight Drawn by Clouds/Love in the Moonlight (구르미 그린 달빛) (KBS2, 2016).

Also seen in episode 1 of Jang Hee-bin (장희빈/Jangheebin) (KBS2, 2002-03).

— Chi-hwa-seon/Chwi-hwa-seon (취화선/Chwihwaseon) (2002) was filmed at the Bullomun Stone Archway [불로문] of this garden.

– Vogue Korea: Park Bo-gum’s Good Influence (‘박보검의 선한 영향력’) (July 23, 2020) was shot at several locations throughout this garden notably the Yeon’gyeongdang Hall [연경당], Jondeokjeong Pavilion [존덕정], Pyeom’usa House [폄우사], Bullomun Stone Archway [불로문], Aeryeonji Pond [애련지] and the Yeonghwadang Hall [영화당].

Then Queen Consort Cho (Kim Hye-jun) climbs the central steps of the Injeongjeon Throne Hall [인정전] in her minor ceremonial robes (소례복) as a Regency (수렴청정) is announced in Kingdom (킹덤/Kingdeom) (Netflix, 2019 — Season 1).

In the teaser for Kingdom (킹덤/Kingdeom) (Netflix, 2020 — Season 2), this throne hall is also seen.

In episode 1 of Jewel in the Palace / Dae Jang Geum (대장금) (MBC, 2003-2004), the procession of King Yeonsangun takes place in front of the Injeongjeon Throne Hall [인정전] and in episode 3, King Jungjong’s (Im Ho) procession takes place here too.

The scene of the restoration ceremony of Queen Inhyeon in Jang Hee-bin (장희빈/Jangheebin) (KBS2, 2002-03) took place at this throne hall.

Among others, Injeongjeon Throne Hall was seen during Deposed Prince Yeonsan-gun (Ahn Jae-mo)’s coronation ceremony in King and Queen/The King and the Queen (왕과 비 [王과 妃]) (KBS1, 1998-2000).

The Injeongjeon Throne Hall was also seen in The Red Sleeve/The Red Sleef Cuff (옷소매 붉은 끝동) (MBC, 2021-22); 500 Years of the Joseon Dynasty/Joseon Wangjo Ohbaek Nyeon (조선왕조 오백년) (MBC, 1983-1990).

— The courtyard is briefly featured inthe 3rd teaser (‘KBS 월화드라마 구르미 그린 달빛 티저3’) of Moonlight Drawn By Clouds/Love in the Moonlight (구르미 그린 달빛) (KBS2, 2016).

— The Throne/Sado (사도/思悼) (2015)
— Injeongmun [인정문] — the entrance gateway of Injeongjeon Throne Hall and Sukjangmun Gates [숙장문] —consisting part of Changdeokgung Palace’s “outer court” [외조 外朝]— are briefly featured in the film The Royal Tailor (상의원) (2014).
— Masquerade/ Gwanghae: The Man Who Became King (광해 왕이 된 남자) (2012)

Originally housing the Kyujanggak Royal Library & Archives (규장각, direct precursor of the modern Kyujanggak Institute for Korean Studies)
Now-adult King Jeongjo walks up the stairs (back turned towards the audience) towards the building in the final episode 24 of Secret Door (비밀의 문) (SBS, 2014).

Changdeokgung Palace [창덕궁/昌德宮] —literally ‘Prospering Virtue Palace’— is one of the palaces of the Joseon Dynasty (1392 – 1910) that still exists in present times, and is also one of the most well-preserved. Built in 1405 by Joseon’s third ruler King Taejong and rebuilt in 1610, it was the main palace for about 270 years and saw through the reign of 13 kings, who lived and discussed state affairs here.

The palace site is divided into two parts: the palace building area, and its royal garden area. The latter “takes up about sixty percent of the palace grounds” and was used by the royal family for leisure. The royal garden area is known under different names, but is usually referred to as Huwon [후원/後苑/Rear Garden] or Biwon [비원/秘院/Secret garden]. The Juhamnu Pavilion (Treasure No.1769) was built as the royal library in 1776 under King Jeonjo, and is located within the palace’s garden.

In 1997, Changdeokgung Palace was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 2012, the palace was selected as one of 100 regular filming locations for movies and dramas by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Seoul Film Council, and featured in the brochure The Places In Seoul Cinema Fell in Love With (영화가 사랑한 서울 촬영지 100선).

The palace is located in Seoul’s neighborhood Waryong [Waryong-dong/와룡동] — under the administration of Jongno-1.2.3.4 ga-dong/Jongno 1(il).2(i).3(sam).4(sa) [종로1.2.3.4가동] — in the Jongno District [Jongno-gu/종로구].

Address
99 Yulgok-ro, Waryong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
서울특별시 종로구 율곡로 99
(와룡동 2-71)
Geolocation: 37.579159, 126.991000

Getting here
Anguk Station [안국역], Seoul Subway Line 3, Exit 3
(15 min. walk)

— submitted by Sicarius the Queen of Melonia, updated by Marion KDL; last updated 01/04/2023
— Bloody Heart; King and Queen; 500 Years of the Joseon Dynasty; Vogue Korea Fashion Spread w/ Park Bo-gum; Kingdom II, The Royal Gambler; Rooftop Prince with side note and Secret Door; Jang Hee-bin; Kingdom; Jewel in the Palace; The Throne; Masquerade; Royal Tailor added by Lr
— The King’s Affection added by Mich KDL