Jongmyo Daeje, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage and the highest state ritual of the Joseon Dynasty, was held with solemn grandeur on Saturday, May 3, despite intermittent drizzle during the holiday period. This year's event carries particular significance as it expanded public access beyond the Jongmyo Shrine grounds.
Jongmyo Daeje is a core state ritual held at Jongmyo Shrine, where the spirit tablets of the kings of the Joseon Dynasty and the Korean Empire have been enshrined for more than 600 years. It is the largest-scale ritual personally performed by reigning monarchs. Suspended during the Japanese colonial period, the ceremony was restored in 1969 in the style of the Korean Empire. It is held annually on the first Sunday of May.
As a comprehensive ritual combining rites, music (Jongmyo Jeryeak), and dance (Ilmu), it was inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2001 in recognition of its value.
The event began at 10 a.m. with a ritual held at Yeongnyeongjeon Hall within Jongmyo Shrine. Following the historical route taken by past kings to Jongmyo, the royal procession departed from Gwanghwamun Gate at Gyeongbokgung Palace at 11 a.m. to the sound of Daechwita, a traditional military march, passing through Sejongno Intersection and Jongno 1-, 2-, and 3-ga over a roughly 2.2-kilometer route to reach Jongmyo.
From 2 p.m., the main ritual was held at Jeongjeon Hall of Jongmyo with approximately 1,000 attendees, including citizens and key guests. Lee Gwi-nam, chairman of the Jongmyo Daeje Organizing Committee, said in his opening remarks, "I hope this will be a special time to experience together the grand ritual and ritual music at the beautiful and majestic Jongmyo, which has been recognized by the world."
The ritual was particularly solemn. From Chwiwi, the process of ritual officiants taking their designated places before the ceremony begins, to the offering of prepared food and wine and the burning of the ritual text, every step was performed in accordance with strict etiquette and procedure. Music praising the virtues of the ancestors, centered on "Botaepyeong" and "Jeongdaeeop," resonated through the grounds, accompanied by the restrained movements of the Ilmu line dance.
This year, a large screen was installed at Heungnyemun Plaza inside Gyeongbokgung Palace to convey the scene to the general public. It was the first time the ceremony has been broadcast on a large outdoor screen outside Jongmyo. General seating on the Woldae terrace of Jeongjeon Hall was expanded from 590 to 620 seats, and public viewing of the spirit chambers was also permitted for general visitors.
The event was also streamed live online through the Korea Heritage Service YouTube channel, as in previous years. Screens were also installed outside Jeongjeon and Yeongnyeongjeon Halls of Jongmyo.
The expanded access comes as it is difficult for large numbers of people to view Jongmyo Daeje within the limited space of the shrine. Amid ongoing controversy between Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon's city government and high-rise redevelopment plans in front of Jongmyo, the move is seen as an effort to bring the national heritage site closer to the public.
"Just as Jongmyo has remained close to citizens in the heart of the city, we will continue to develop Jongmyo Daeje into a cultural asset that the public can enjoy as part of their daily lives," said Heo Min, administrator of the Korea Heritage Service.
