Palace Culture and the Role of Maid of Honor in the Daily Life of Korean Emperors at the End of the Joseon Dynasty, 1897-1910 (based on the memoirs of Maid of Honor Kim Myeongil)

This research paper analyzes the traditional palace life in Joseon and its westernization from 1897-1910. Kim Myeonggil, Empress Yun's maid of honor and the last court lady of Joseon, wrote a memoir, "Nakseongjae Area", which chronicles the landmark events of Korean history, the daily life of the monarchs, and the emergence and spread of European and Japanese innovations in the culture of the state. This study includes an introduction, two chapters of the main part, a conclusion, an appendix and a list of used literature. The first chapter reconstructs the biography of Kim Myeonggil and analyzes her memoirs as a historical source and literary monument. The second chapter contains information about the role of maid of honor in the daily life of emperors and how centuries-old traditions were gradually erased from the minds of ordinary people and monarchs. Keywords: Joseon history, women's literature, palace culture, westernization