Today, I went to Gyeongun Palace, it is a unique place because it has western style buildings, unlike other palaces. Gyeongun palace was originally the house of the older brother of  King Seongjong. It became the main palace of the Joseon Dynasty after the Imjin war. King Gojong moved there and announced the change of the name of Joseon to Daehanjeguk and made himself Emperor in October 1897. Junghwajeon was the most important building because it was the place for the official receiving of foreign envoys.

Inside, the throne is beautifully decorated. Seokeodang is the only two story building in the palace. It  also does not have dancheong. Jeukjodang  was the place for coronations. King Gojong stayed in Junmyeongdang and received foreign ministers as guests there. Hamneongjeon was used as the king's sleeping place. King Gojong died there. Deokhongjeon was the reception hall for foreign guests. Seokjojeon is a western style stone building. It has a living room for officials, a reception hall, and a bedroom for the King and queen. Jeonggwangheon was the place Gojong relaxed. It shows both Korean and western architecture designs. The story that most interested me is the story about Gojong and coffee. Inside Gojong always enjoyed drinking coffee. When coffee was imported to Korea for the first time,people didn't know how to drink it because it was so rare. So when Gojong and his officials drank coffee,the official poured the hot coffee into small liquor glass and drank it down. I think the way they drank coffee was not likethe king and his officials. If they just drank it down like alcoholic drink, it would not show dignity of the King.

Great work, thanks for telling me what you think, and writing a good essay, Logan