As the residence of the last king of Korea, the Deoksugung Palace embodies the wishes of the people for the king’s prosperity. To stand against the political pressure from Japan, King Ko-jong closely interacted with many officials from western countries, such as Great Britain and Russia. As a result, parts of the palace’s architecture are heavily influenced by Russian and European designs. The Jeonggwanheon, previously used as a place to drink tea and coffee, was designed by a Russian architect. The Seokjojeon Palace was the last construction by King Ko-jong, and showcases a unique combination of traditional Korean buildings and ancient Greek architecture.
It is at this grand location where a classical concert is held every last Wednesday of the month. The concerts are free, but you must reserve your spot online, which you can do starting from seven day prior to the concert date. Seniors over 65 and foreigners can reserve tickets on-site with identification, but only ten tickets are available.