2025 Deoksugung Palace's Seokjojeon at Night (Second Half): Comprehensive Guide to Reservations, Schedule, and Programs
A special journey into the night of the Korean Empire imperial family in the autumn of 2025! This guide provides everything about the Deoksugung Palace's Seokjojeon at Night event for the second half of the year, including reservation methods, lottery schedule, programs, discount information, and important notices.
2025 Deoksugung Palace's Seokjojeon at Night (Second Half) Complete Guide: From Reservation to Viewing
On a serene autumn night, a special time travel unfolds at Deoksugung Palace's Seokjojeon, steeped in the history of the Korean Empire imperial family. Deoksugung Palace's Seokjojeon at Night, which has become an official event after its trial run in 2021 received enthusiastic response, returns to us in the second half of 2025.
From a time travel to Seokjojeon guided by a palace attendant, a night tour of Seokjojeon with a professional commentator, a terrace cafe experience tasting the gabaecha (coffee) that Emperor Gojong loved amidst classical music, to watching a musical telling the stories of the Korean Empire imperial family. Prepare perfectly for everything from complex reservations to viewing with this one guide.
1. Event Overview: When and Where Will It Be Held?
Event Name: 2025 Deoksugung Palace's Seokjojeon at Night (Second Half)
Period: From September 10 (Wed) to October 26 (Sun), 2025 (Operated every Wednesday to Sunday during the period)
Time:
1st Session: 18:15 – 19:45
2nd Session: 18:50 – 20:20
3rd Session: 19:25 – 20:55 (Approximately 90 minutes per session)
Venue: Deoksugung Palace Seokjojeon
Participants: 18 people per session (Total 54 people per day)
Viewing Age: 7 years old and above (Born before 2018)
For safety reasons, preschool children (born after 2019) are not permitted to participate.
Teenagers (born between 2007 and 2018) must be accompanied by a guardian.
2. Reservation Information: How to Make a Reservation? (Most Important!)
Deoksugung Palace's Seokjojeon at Night operates on a 100% pre-reservation basis, and participation is possible through a "Priority Reservation Ticket Lottery System." You must first win the reservation ticket lottery to get a chance to purchase tickets.
Reservation Fee: 26,000 KRW per person
Reservation Website: Ticketlink (www.ticketlink.co.kr)
Reservation Procedure:
Reservation Ticket Lottery Application (Free)
Winner Announcement
Priority Reservation for Winners (First-come, first-served seat selection and payment)
General Reservation for Remaining Seats (First-come, first-served)
Detailed Reservation Schedule
Reservation Ticket Lottery Application: From 14:00 on August 20 (Wed) to 23:59 on August 26 (Tue), 2025
Winner Announcement: 17:00 on August 28 (Thu), 2025 (Notice on website and individual text message)
Priority Reservation for Winners: From 14:00 on August 29 (Fri) to 23:59 on September 2 (Tue), 2025
General Reservation for Remaining Seats: From 14:00 on September 3 (Wed), 2025
Phone Reservations (Ages 65 and above, Persons of National Merit, Persons with Disabilities)
Target: Born before 1960, Persons of National Merit, Persons with Disabilities
Reservation Date: From 14:00 on September 3 (Wed), 2025
Method: Ticketlink Call Center (☎1588-7890, Weekdays 10:00–19:00)
Note: Proof of documentation (ID card, Merits Card, Welfare Card, etc.) must be verified on-site. The principal of personal participation applies.
3. Program Information: What Will You Experience?
① Seokjojeon Night Tour
This is a time to stroll inside the lantern-lit Seokjojeon with a commentator, glimpse into the living spaces of the Korean Empire imperial family, and hear the special stories within.
② Terrace Cafe Experience
This is a time to enjoy imperial desserts while listening to classical music at a special cafe set up on the exotic second-floor terrace of Seokjojeon.
Desserts: Oryatkkot Castella, Petit Financier, Black Sesame Sable (3 types provided)
Beverage (Choose 1): Gabae (coffee), Warm Ginger Tea, Sangsimja Tea (Mulberry Tea) selected at the time of reservation
③ Reception Room Musical Viewing
A creative musical unfolds in the Seokjojeon reception room. Through the stories of Emperor Gojong, Emperor Sunjong, and Empress Sunjeonghyo in agony after sending special envoys to The Hague, you can feel the dreams and pains of the Korean Empire.
④ Life Palace Shot Commemorative Photo Shoot
This is a self-photobooth commemorative photo shoot time where you can capture special moments with props from the Enlightenment period against the beautiful night view of Seokjojeon.
4. Discount Information
50% Discount for Persons with Disabilities and Persons of National Merit
**Persons with severe disabilities (formerly grades 1-3):**本人 and one companion
**Persons with mild disabilities (formerly grades 4-6):**本人 only
**Persons of National Merit:**本人 only
Notes:
Discounts must be applied at the time of reservation, and a refund of the difference is not possible on-site.
Proof of documentation such as a welfare card or merits card must be verified on-site. (Participation not possible if not brought)
5. Please Check! Important Notes
Identity Verification: The original ID of the reservation holder and reservation details must be verified on-site. Transfer to another person is generally not permitted. (However, exceptional allowance if family relationship can be proven)
Cancellation/Refund: 100% refund is possible for cancellations made before 17:00 on the day before the event; cancellations and changes are not possible thereafter.
Elevator Unavailability: The Seokjojeon elevator will not be operating during the event period due to repair work. Those who have difficulty using stairs must consider this when making a reservation.
Operation in Case of Rain: The event will proceed as scheduled without cancellation even if it rains.
No Parking: Deoksugung Palace does not have parking available, so using public transportation (City Hall Station Line 1, 2) is recommended.
Concluding Remarks
Deoksugung Palace's Seokjojeon at Night is more than just a viewing; it's a program that offers deep emotion as if you are stepping directly into a page of history. Fierce competition for reservations is expected, but we hope you succeed by referring to this guide. Create unforgettable autumn night memories at Seokjojeon, where the breath of the Korean Empire lives on.