Royalty is in vogue in Korea a year after the death of the last heir to its nonexistent throne, fueled by the success of the soap opera "The Palace", ("Princess Hours") which imagines the everyday woes of a fictional Korean royal family in the 21st century. Royal weddings are especially popular since spring is traditionally the season for tying the knot.
Joining Two Royal Houses
The wedding procession of King Kimsuro of the peninsula's ancient Kaya kingdom and Princess Heo Hwang-ok of India's Ayuthaya, the first-ever international royal marriage in Korea, will be reenacted in Insa-dong on Saturday. The event is part of Gimhae City's Garak Cultural Festival, a celebration of traditional culture that marks its 30th anniversary this year. Actors dressed up as the king and his bride will be attended by some 150 followers in traditional Kaya costume. As well as the A.D. 48 wedding, a performance will tell the story of King Kimsuro's founding of the kingdom. A hands-on element allows visitors to sample Gimhae's traditional "janggun" tea, which Heo is said to have brought with her from foothills of the Himalayas, or try on the costumes worn by Kaya kings, queens and ministers.
Choosing a Queen
A Chosun-era event to select the dynasty's queens will be organized by Seoul City at Unhyun Palace on Sunday. For centuries, the royal house first banned all eligible single women and girls in the country from getting married while the court studied their family history to whittle the list down to some 30 candidates. They would then undergo three further stages to determine who will be queen. The queen thus chosen will then play the last Empress Myeongseong, or Queen Min, in a recreation of her marriage to King Gojong.
Those looking to tie the knot in style may like to consider a royal wedding ceremony of their own. 'A group dedicated to preserving the spiritual essence of Korea's Civil Movement' is accepting bookings for Chosun Dynasty royal weddings. The ceremony is slightly adapted to modern circumstances but based on thorough historical research. Discreetly simplified, the ritual nonetheless retains the authentic glamour and solemnity of the past. The couple's parents are put through rehearsals to lead the ceremony, and friends can take part in the roles of prime minister, generals, ladies in waiting and courtiers.
In a similar vein, Suwon in Gyeonggi Province is opening the Hwaseong Haenggung or temporary palace there from April for wedding ceremonies in the style of unions between Chosun Dynasty princes and princess. The ceremonies start at 11 a.m. at weekends. They are organized by the Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Foundation, and couples will be charged some W120,000(US$120) for a two-hour ceremony.
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