This is a scene from "The Emperor’s Dining Table," an interactive program exclusively for foreign visitors, on May 1, 2025, at Deoksugung Palace in Seoul's Jung-gu District. (Lee Jeongwoo)

By Margareth Theresia

Ticket sales have begun for programs exclusively for foreign visitors to the Spring K-Royal Culture Festival, which opens on April 25.

The Korea Heritage Service announced the launch of ticket reservations on March 16 on the domestic tourism platform Creatrip (www.creatrip.com).

The number of programs exclusively for foreign visitors was expanded to six including performing arts, evening events and culinary experiences, reflecting the surge in global demand punctuated by the number of attendees last year reaching 1.37 million.

The festival's opening ceremony on April 24 at Gyeongbokgkung Palace will feature a large-scale performance of cultural heritage genres such as royal court dance, media facade, Hanbok (traditional clothes) fashion show, and combination of gugak (traditional music) and electronic dance music. The first 300 foreign visitors who reserve can attend this event free.

The debut of "The Dance of Crown Prince Hyomyeong and the Moon" from April 28-30 at Changdeokgung Palace will be in English to allow an interactive experience in the art world pursued by the royal court of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910).

The popular "Awakening the Morning Palace" from April 28 to May 3 will have sessions exclusively for foreign visitors. A royal court music show featuring 100 traditional musicians from May 1-3 will be accompanied by commentary in English.

At Deoksugung Palace, "The Emperor's Dining Table" from May 1-3 will feature twice daily the imperial court entertainment of the Korean Empire (1897-1910) through cuisine. Attendance is limited to 20 people per session and requires reservations.

An evening performance of Jongmyo Jeryeak, or the music of royal ancestral rituals, from April 28-30 will present the value of such music -- a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Foreign visitors can see this free through reservations.

More information on these programs at the festival is available on Creatrip's website.

margareth@korea.kr