Reviewed · SEOUL PALACE TOURS
Gyeongbokgung palace family/group private photoshoot
At Gyeongbokgung, the palace itself becomes your portrait backdrop: forest paths, a lake, stone walls, traditional houses, and colonnaded streets all feature in this private session. Photographer Jun guides your group through the poses and settings, so you do not need to arrive knowing how to model in hanbok.
I like two things in particular: Jun has seven years of experience as a photographer and fashion model director, and the package includes more than 200 original photos per person plus 20 edited images. One thing to plan for is the extra hanbok rental cost, ₩20,000 per person, which is not included in the group price.
- Jun guides the posing: He helps you feel at ease and find the expressions and poses you want.
- A private session for your group: The price covers up to four people, with no other group joining.
- Hanbok and hair styling first: Allow about 30 minutes at Yes Hanbok to choose your outfit and style your hair.
- Several palace settings: The session includes nature-focused spots and palace architecture, from a forest road and lake to stone walls and traditional houses.
- A substantial photo package: You receive more than 200 JPEG originals per person and 20 selected images with skin, color, and tone edits.
- Bring rental money: Hanbok costs ₩20,000 per person and is paid separately.
A palace portrait session, not a rushed photo stop

Gyeongbokgung is a grand setting, but its scale can make it hard to know where to pause or how to frame a family portrait. This experience adds a photographer who leads the way and turns a palace visit into a planned photo session. You get time to work through different backdrops rather than taking one quick picture and moving on.
The activity lasts about two hours and is private for your party, up to four people. That format makes sense for a family, a couple, or a small group of friends who want pictures together without having to ask strangers to take them. It also gives Jun room to adjust the session to your group’s comfort level and the images you have in mind.
Jun is both a photographer and a fashion model director, with seven years of experience. That background matters if you feel self-conscious in front of a camera. You do not need to arrive with a list of poses: Jun’s role is to guide the shoot, and his calm, friendly manner has helped nervous children and adults relax.
Meet at Yes Hanbok near Gyeongbokgung Station

The session begins at Yes Hanbok, at 133-6 Sajik-ro in Jongno District. It is near Exit 4 of Gyeongbokgung Station on Line 3, a useful reference point when finding your way to the meeting spot. The activity ends back at the same location.
The first part of the visit is choosing your hanbok and getting your hair styled. Plan for about 30 minutes. This is not a detail to squeeze into the last minute: choosing an outfit you like is part of the fun, and it sets the look for the photographs that follow.
The rental fee is ₩20,000 per person and is not part of the $244.94 group price. If you are booking for four, the base experience works out to about $61 per person before rental. For a smaller group, the per-person cost is higher, so consider how much you value having a private photographer and a large set of images.
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Choosing hanbok without making it a chore

You choose the hanbok at the meeting-point shop, then have your hair styled before heading to the palace. The experience is built around wearing traditional Korean clothing in a historic setting, rather than simply getting formal portraits in everyday clothes. That combination gives the photos a clear sense of place and makes the palace visit feel like an occasion.
A family can make the outfit choice part of the shared experience, especially if children are involved. Keep in mind that the rental fee applies per person, so include it in your budget alongside the tour price. The provided details do not specify the full range of available styles, sizes, or hair options, so ask Yes Hanbok about those if you have a particular look or need in mind.
From palace paths to stone walls
The photography session takes about 60 to 90 minutes. Jun uses both nature-focused and architectural settings around Gyeongbokgung. The nature concept includes a forest road and lake; palace backgrounds include panoramas, stone walls, traditional Korean houses, and streets with pillars.
That variety is useful because it gives your gallery more than one visual mood. A quiet path or lake setting can suit relaxed family photographs, while a wall, house, or line of pillars gives the images a stronger architectural frame. Jun knows the palace’s photo spots and leads you through them, so you can spend your attention on the session rather than trying to scout every location yourself.
The palace is a public place, and the tour details do not promise that any area will be empty or reserved for your group. You may find that conditions change during the session. Jun has shown practical care when weather turned wet, including bringing an umbrella when rain began, but you should still dress for the forecast and avoid assuming that weather support is guaranteed.
If you are worried about looking stiff, say so at the start. Jun’s experience directing models is especially relevant here: he can help you find a comfortable pose instead of expecting you to perform like a trained model. For families with active children, keep expectations flexible. The aim is to capture happy moments, not to force everyone into a perfectly still pose for every frame.
What the photo package gives you
The included package is generous in volume: more than 200 original JPEG photos per person, shared by link, plus 20 selected images edited for skin, color, and tone. That is a useful distinction. The original files give you a broad record of the session, while the 20 edits offer a smaller set of polished images to share or keep as favorites.
The package does not specify how long delivery takes, how long the download link remains available, or whether you can request particular edits. Jun provides a briefing about the upcoming schedule and photo delivery when you return the hanbok. If delivery timing matters, ask about it before booking or confirm it with him at the meeting point.
The editing described is focused on skin, color, and tone. It is not presented as extensive retouching, so do not expect major changes to clothing, backgrounds, or body shape. For most people, that is a sensible balance: the images keep the palace and hanbok as the main event, while edits help the final selections look finished.
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Two hours, with a little room for conversation

The stated schedule includes about 30 minutes for hanbok and hair, 60 to 90 minutes for photography, and around 20 minutes to return the clothing and hear about photo delivery. Together, those blocks can run a little over two hours at the upper end, so it is wise not to schedule a tight appointment immediately afterward.
Jun also shares Korean travel information and tips during the experience. That informal exchange can be a useful bonus if you want local pointers while you are in Seoul, though it is not a separate sightseeing tour. The main purpose remains the photoshoot, and the time is shaped around clothing, photography, and returning the rental.
The activity is offered as a mobile ticket, and confirmation is received at booking. It is near public transportation, and most people can participate. The session is private, but the provider does not state that the palace itself is private or closed to other visitors.
Is $244.94 good value for your group?
At $244.94 for up to four people, the base price is easiest to justify when your group uses the full capacity. For four, that is roughly $61 each before hanbok rental. For two, the price per person is about twice as much, though you still get a private photographer and the same included photo package.
The value is not just the time with Jun. You are also paying for guided posing, help finding varied palace settings, a large set of original images, and 20 selected edits. If you already have a friend who takes strong portraits and you only want a few casual pictures, this may be more service than you need. But if a family photo with everyone in hanbok is important to you, having a photographer who can direct the group is a real advantage.
The activity is booked on average 36 days in advance, so it is sensible to plan ahead if you have a fixed date. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time; cancellations inside that window are not refunded, and changes made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted. The cut-off uses local time in Seoul.
Who should book this photoshoot?
I would look closely at this option if you are traveling with children, want a proper family portrait, or feel awkward posing without direction. Jun’s friendly approach has helped nervous daughters and active children settle into the session, and families have praised the natural, relaxed feel of his process. That is a strong fit for people who want the outing to feel enjoyable, not like a stiff studio appointment moved outdoors.
It also suits couples or friends who want a private set of pictures in hanbok and appreciate having someone else handle the camera and location choices. The best reason to book is not simply the number of files. It is the chance to enjoy the palace together while a photographer takes responsibility for composing the pictures.
Think twice if you are on a very tight budget, do not want to rent hanbok, or prefer to explore the palace without a set schedule. The rental is an extra cost, and much of the two hours is devoted to styling, photography, and returning the clothing. But if you want a lasting record of your visit in traditional dress, this private session offers a thoughtful mix of guidance, variety, and usable photos.
FAQ
How long does the photoshoot last?
The experience lasts about two hours. The schedule includes roughly 30 minutes for hanbok and hair, 60 to 90 minutes for photography, and around 20 minutes to return the hanbok and hear about photo delivery.
How much does the experience cost?
The listed price is $244.94 per group for up to four people. Hanbok rental is extra at ₩20,000 per person.
Where do we meet?
Meet at Yes Hanbok, 133-6 Sajik-ro, Jongno District, Seoul. It is near Exit 4 of Gyeongbokgung Station on Line 3.
Where does the activity end?
It ends back at the Yes Hanbok meeting point.
Is the photoshoot private?
Yes. It is a private activity for your group, with a maximum of four people included in the stated group price.
What is included in the photo package?
You receive more than 200 original JPEG photos per person, shared by link, and 20 selected photos edited for skin, color, and tone.
Is hanbok rental included?
No. Hanbok rental costs ₩20,000 per person and is not included in the experience price.
Does the session include hair styling?
Yes. The schedule allows about 30 minutes to choose a hanbok and style your hair at the meeting-point shop.
What is the cancellation policy?
You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the experience are not accepted for a refund or change.
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