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Wednesday, November 19, 2014

명약관화 (明若觀火)


It was a cold late autumn night when Gyeongbok Palace first opened its doors to visitors after sunset. The recently restored Gwanghwamun welcomed excited visitors with its pompous display of lights and colours befitting its royal standing. Gleeful crowd and enthusiastic photographers formed a steady stream into the palace ground for an experience that even the Joseon royalties could only dream of.

But what I remember fondly wasn't the alluring night scenery of Gyeongbok Palace; it was something better, a remark left by a friend after she read the posting on my night out at the palace. "You're in Korea?", she wrote. It was a simple question but I was full of gratitude. Thank you for remembering me.


Location: Gwanghwamun (광화문, 光化門)
Date: 10 November 2010

2 comments:

  1. I am always amazed by the transformation the area has taken in the past 6 years. However, for persons more senior than me, this must only be a tiny fraction of a long transition in Korean history. Remebering people and places is precious.

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