๐๏ธ The 1st Gwageo Examination for Foreign Residents in Korea
์์ธ์ ๋ณด
A thousand years of tradition. Closed in 1894. Open again for you.
For one extraordinary afternoon, foreign residents from around the world are invited to experience a modern recreation of the Gwageo, Koreaโs historic royal civil-service examination.
At Sungkyunkwan, the royal Confucian academy founded in 1398, you will put on traditional scholar robes, sit in a historic courtyard and take up the brush. Choose a beginner or intermediate task and experience Korean history not as a spectator, but as a participant.
No Korean-language ability is required.
Event information
๐
Date: Monday, October 5, 2026
๐ช Entry: From 12:00 PM
๐๏ธ Examination: 2:00 PM
๐ Venue: Sungkyunkwan, Seoul - Bicheondang/Myeongnyundang area (exact entrance to be confirmed by the organizer)
๐ฐ Registration fee: โฉ5,000
๐ฅ Capacity: Approximately 300 international participants
๐ Eligibility: Foreign residents in Korea
What is included
- A traditional scholar robe for the examination
- A choice between beginner and intermediate tasks
- A gift for every participant
- Cultural experiences and food booths during the afternoon
- Cultural performances after the examination
Awards
๐ 33 winners
๐ฐ โฉ10,200,000 in total prizes
- 1st - Jangwon: 1 winner, laptop worth approximately โฉ3,000,000
- 2nd - Bangan: 2 winners, โฉ1,000,000 each
- 3rd - Tamhwa: 3 winners, โฉ500,000 each
- 4th - Eulgwa: 10 winners, โฉ200,000 each
- 5th - Byeonggwa: 17 winners, โฉ100,000 each
Prizes are paid after statutory withholding.
When the brushes are set down
The celebration continues with Korean and international performances:
- The Scholarโs Spirit: brush performance, salpuri dance and scholar-robe fashion show
- World Rhythms: African percussion ensemble
- The Encounter: African percussion meets Korean samulnori
- Circle of Harmony: a ganggangsullae finale with the whole courtyard joining hands
This is a rare chance to enter one of Koreaโs most important historic spaces, meet people from around the world and bring a centuries-old tradition back to life.
๐ Advance registration is required.
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