Nakseonjae of Changdeokgung Palace

Nakseonjae is located on the boundary between Changdeokgung Palace and Changgyeonggung Palace. In 1847 (the 13th year of King Heonjong's reign), King Heonjong of Joseon built Nakseonjae on the site of Nakseondang of Changgyeonggung Palace to welcome his concubine, Gyeongbin Kim. The following year, Seokbokheon and Sugangjae were built. Nakseonjae was used as King Heonjong's study and reception hall, Seokbokheon as Gyeongbin's residence, and Sugangjae as the residence of Queen Dowager Sunwon (King Sunjo's queen). Notably, this area was also where the last imperial family of the Korean Empire, including Empress Sunjeong (the last empress), Crown Princess Euimin (Princess Bangja), and Princess Deokhye, lived until their deaths.

The Nakseonjae area is modest in appearance, without dancheong (traditional decorative coloring), and a rear garden was created behind Nakseonjae. Between the buildings and the rear garden, small stone terraces were built in steps to plant flowers, with refined chimneys and oddly shaped rocks arranged among them. It is a representative garden that harmonizes the dignity of a palace with the charming coziness characteristic of a women's space.