Hello, nice to meet you all! I'm Hong Yeongsik, your guide for the Jongno Modern Street Course 5. Have you ever heard my name? Haha. I heard that the theme for this Course 5 is 'The Path to Enlightenment.' The period leading to modernization in the late Joseon era is referred to as the Enlightenment Period, and it's during this time that a historical event unfolds, where I come into the picture. It's none other than the coup d'état, the Gapsin Coup, that took place in 1884.

Enlightenment. It feels refreshing. I didn't anticipate that I would have the opportunity to share my story about enlightenment with all of you again. It's a word to which I dedicated my brief life.

Oh, let me briefly explain the Gapsin Coup. After the Japan-Korea Treaty of 1876 opened a port to the world, the Joseon Dynasty faced a crucial decision. It had to choose between rapid and comprehensive modernization, like Japan, or a more selective approach focusing on military and industrial aspects, similar to the Qing Dynasty. My comrades and I closely observed the changes in the West and Japan. With a great mentor and supportive friends by my side, I believed that we could achieve something significant.

So, on the day the modern postal system, the Wujung Chongguk (Central Post Office), was opened, we saw it as an opportunity to seize power through a banquet. I'll explain more later, but the coup initiated by our Enlightenment Party failed just three days later.

Comrades who joined me in the Gapsin Coup, and those who opposed my stance, we all must have wrestled with many thoughts. It was a time of novelty and confusion, as it had been less than ten years since the country had opened its doors to the world.

Now, let's delve into the history after 1884. During that time, our dreams and perhaps aspects we hadn't considered coexisted. Some things progressed as quickly as we had envisioned, while in other aspects, progress was not as swift as we had hoped.

However, it's fortunate that the path towards enlightenment has consistently continued. Despite the hardships and the challenges to our country's sovereignty, the efforts to construct a new society never ceased. Although progress may have been slow and sometimes we had to make a long way around, it's heartening to have this moment to comfortably share these stories with all of you.

Wow, the thought of sharing these stories makes my heart flutter. With an excited heart, let's embark on the Jongno Modern Street Course 5, 'The Path to Enlightenment.