The Secret Behind the Gwigung Craze! Why Is Everyone Falling for Gwigung? 🏯

Exploring the Charm of Gwigung, a Secret Space of the Joseon Royal Family That Has Been Reborn as a Healing Trend in the 21st Century

What Is Gwigung That Makes It So Hot?

These days, if you scroll through Instagram, you’ll see #Gwigung trending everywhere. At first, I thought, “What is this?” but it turns out it refers to the palaces where kings and queens of the Joseon Dynasty took their leisure! 🧐 Initially, it was a term known mainly to history buffs, but it has now been reborn as a symbol of a ‘sanctuary for the heart’ among the general public.

Especially among the MZ generation, the phrase “Today is Gwigung mode~” has spread like wildfire. My friend often declines plans by saying, “I’m going to have some Gwigung time this weekend,” which is quite amusing! Isn’t it fascinating how a historical space has become intertwined with modern lifestyle trends? 🤩

Hidden Stories of Gwigung in History 📜

Gwigung (閨宮) originally refers to the space in the Joseon royal court where the king and queen took a break from official duties. Notable examples are the Gangnyeongjeon of Gyeongbokgung and the Daechungjeon of Changdeokgung! 🏛️ What is interesting is that these spaces were not just bedrooms; they were places where the royal family’s private life unfolded.

According to historian Professor Kim Young-soo, in Gwigung, the king enjoyed personal hobbies such as composing poetry or painting instead of holding official meetings with ministers. In modern terms, it was a space for ‘work-life balance’! There’s something relatable about that to us in the 21st century, right? 😉

Why Is Gwigung Popular Now? 3 Key Points 🔑

1️⃣ The Digital Detox Trend: For modern individuals worn out from their smartphones, the concept of an ‘offline sanctuary’ hits the spot. The tranquility and peace that Gwigung offers effectively alleviate social media fatigue!

2️⃣ The Evolution of Home Cafe Culture: This correlates with the trend of wanting to spend special time at home. More and more people are calling their coffee breaks while playing classical music ‘Gwigung time’ ☕🎶

3️⃣ Influence of Hallyu: Beautiful palace scenes often featured in popular Hallyu content like Netflix’s and have heightened interest in traditional spaces!

Real Gwigung Experience (Reviews Revealed!) ✨

This past weekend, I visited Gyeonghui Pavilion at Gyeongbokgung, and surprisingly, there were many people! Even on a weekday around 3 PM, there was a queue to enter! 😂

Especially, I noticed many young women taking photos in hanbok, happily exclaiming, “I just got my life shot!” Personally, my favorite moment was sitting by the pond, reading a book while enjoying the breeze. It felt like I was a royal from ancient times! 👑

How to Create a Gwigung Atmosphere at Home 🏡

You don’t have to go to a palace to create a Gwigung atmosphere at home! Here are some tips I’ve personally tried:

• 🕯️ Candlelight: Soft lighting completely transforms the atmosphere of your space.
• 🌿 Small Bonsai: Having just one small plant can bring out an Eastern charm.
• 🎵 Traditional Instrument Music: Try playing music from instruments like the gayageum or daegeum as background music.
• 🍵 Traditional Tea Set: Even the simple process of preparing tea can become a special experience.

I set this up and enjoyed my weekend mornings reading books while sipping tea, which I call ‘Mini Gwigung time.’ You should give it a try too! 😊

Top 3 Places You Must Visit Related to Gwigung 🎌

1. Changdeokgung Secret Garden: The beauty of the Biwon, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is breathtaking! Especially, Naksonjae is famous as a great photo spot.

2. Gyeongju Donggung and Wolji: This site from the Silla period is stunning at night when lit up 🌙

3. Bukchon Hanok Village: As a densely populated area of traditional hanok where people live, you can feel the vibrant traditional atmosphere. Just strolling through the alleyways can be a healing experience!

How to Create Your Own Gwigung (Epilogue) 💭

In fact, the true charm of the Gwigung craze lies in the message that ‘anyone can create their own sanctuary.’ It doesn’t have to be a palace-like space; anywhere you feel comfortable can be a Gwigung!

These days, I’ve turned my small balcony into a ‘mini Gwigung.’ Just laying down a blanket and a few cushions can create a delightful space. Where do you feel the most comfortable? If you have a special Gwigung spot, please share it in the comments! 💕

How do you enjoy Gwigung? If you have a special Gwigung experience, please brag about it in the comments! I’ll be sure to visit it myself! 😂