Akgongcheong Pavilion (Musicians' Pavilion)

Akgongcheong Pavilion, or the Music Office, served as the practice and rehearsal space for court musicians responsible for performing the Royal Ancestral Ritual Music at Jongmyo Shrine. The Akgongcheong Pavilion in Jeongjeon is situated between Jeongjeon Hall and Yeongnyeongjeon Hall. Unfortunately, the current building has undergone several transformations and does not precisely retain its original shape. Similarly, the Akgongcheong in Yeongnyeongjeon Hall, used by musicians like the Jeongjeon Akgongcheong, shares the same architectural structure and style. The incorporation of music at Jongmyo Shrine stemmed from the belief of Joseon rulers that music would significantly contribute to the good governance of the people and the country. The sequence of the Royal Ancestral Ritual Music at Jongmyo Shrine is interlinked like a vast epic poem. Musicians and dancers focused on performing to praise the establishment of Joseon, the remarkable rule and accomplishments of the kings, and to convey wishes for the dynasty's prosperity from their ancestors.