2025 Korean Season Presents Curated Programme at Edinburgh Fringe, in Partnership with Assembly

1457, The Boy at Rest: A Musical Requiem for a Lost King

A poignant new musical, 1457, The Boy at Rest, brings to life the short and tragic story of Korea’s youngest king, Danjong. Crowned at just 12 years old, dethroned at 15, and dead by 17, his life was marked by love, betrayal, and sorrow.

Set in 1457 and based on true events, this poetic performance is reimagined through the eyes of dokkaebi—mythical Korean goblins rooted in regional folklore. These spirited figures guide the audience through the emotional journey of Queen Jeongsun’s grief, the loyalty of royal officials, and the intense political struggles of the Joseon Dynasty. The Neungmal Dokkaebi are said to live near King Danjong’s tomb in Yeongwol, Gangwon-do, silently guarding his memory. In this story, they become protectors of the boy king—helping hide and honour his remains in defiance of royal orders.

1457, The Boy at Rest blends traditional Korean drums and folk rhythms with modern melodies, creating a rich, emotional score. Humour, music, and myth come together in a powerful requiem that explores timeless themes of love, fate, and remembrance. The final song is not just an ending—it’s an invitation to reflect, grieve, and heal together.

Celebrating 27 years since Korean work first appeared at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the 2025 Korean Season returns with a specially curated programme in partnership with Assembly Festival. This year’s season features four distinctive productions. In addition, the third Seoul Arts Awards will take place on Monday, 11 August at 15:45 in the Assembly Ballroom, continuing the tradition of honouring outstanding Korean artists participating in the Fringe.

The 2025 Korean season includes:

• 1457, The Boy at Rest | Assembly George Square - Studio one | 31 Jul - 24 Aug

• Dream Space | Assembly George Square - The Crate | 31 Jul - 24 Aug

• The Land of Beat | Assembly Roxy - Central | 30 Jul - 24 Aug

• The Time Painter | Assembly George Square - Studio Three | 31 Jul - 24 Aug

This season selects and presents the best of Korean performances at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The promoters strive to keep the season fresh and unpredictable to enable them to keep surprising and delighting international audiences. The Korean Season enables East Asian work to develop and be presented on world stages to help broaden its appeal to audiences worldwide.

In addition to the Korean Season, on Monday 11 August at 15.45hrs, the third Seoul Arts Awards will be held in the Ballroom of the Assembly Rooms. This event includes highlights from the 2025 Korean season, and up to five awards will be presented to international work.

The Seoul Arts Awards were set up to celebrate and encourage a global cultural exchange of performing arts without language barriers.

Location: Assembly George Square - Studio One
Date: 31 Jul - 24 Aug (excluding 11 & 18)
Time: 14:45 hrs (1 hr)
Ticket: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/1457-the-boy-at-rest

©️1457, The Boy at Rest Production

©️Dream Space Production

Dream Space

Dream Space takes you to a magical world where the everyday turns into something amazing. With puppets, music, and movement, you’ll go on an exciting island adventure and meet a gentle, powerful whale.

This special show is for children aged 5 and up and mixes fun, wonder, and healing. Children will be inspired to dream, and adults may feel a bit of childhood joy return. As imagination and reality blend, the stage becomes a place where stories come to life. Come with us on a one-of-a-kind journey where dreams soar and anything can happen!

Dream Space was created by South Korean artist Jin-young Son and his team, SSAK. After witnessing the 2014 Seoul ferry tragedy, Son wanted to bring hope and healing to family audiences. He uses puppets to bring people together through imagination, laughter, and comfort.

“An unforgettable journey through emotion and imagination. A rare gem in Korea’s contemporary theatre.”
★★★★★ – Korea Theatre Festival

“Locally rooted, globally resonant. A poetic and powerful celebration of life through puppetry.”
★★★★★ – Gangbuk Foundation for Arts & Culture

AWARDS
2024 Invitation Performance Appointment Certificate, Gangwon Winter Youth Olympic Games
2023 Cheongchun Mic – Excellence in Performing Arts Award
2019 Certificate of Appreciation from Dobong-gu Mayor, Cultural City Dobong Planning Project
2018 Gold Prize, Incheon Children's Theatre Festival

Location: Assembly George Square - The Crate
Date: 31 Jul - 24 Aug (excluding 11 & 18)
Time: 13:25 hrs (50min)
Ticket: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/dream-space

©️The Land of Beat Production

The Land of Beat

The Land of Beat is a powerful show that brings Korea’s traditional rhythms to life with a modern touch. It tells the story of how these rhythms can connect people and bring energy and hope to the world.

Long ago, in a Korean music book from 1493 called Akhakgwebeom, it was said that music comes from the heavens and can move our hearts and souls. This performance brings that idea to today’s stage.

The show is based on traditional Korean drumming, but adds new ideas from today’s K-Culture. It mixes rhythm with nature, breath, and life, creating a powerful experience that speaks to people everywhere. You’ll see a mix of traditional drums, Korean folk dances, and modern stage effects. The sound of the drum crosses borders and speaks straight to the heart.

Serotonin Art Company is the group behind this performance. They create new works using traditional Korean music and dance. They started with a project called Miracle of the Drumbeat, where young people turned their lives around through playing drums.

Their work has grown from schools to big festivals and stages around the world. They are more than performers — they are cultural messengers, sharing the power of Korean rhythm.

Each artist brings their own story and emotions to the stage. With deep training in drumming and acrobatics, they create performances that are personal, moving, and full of life. The Land of Beat shows how rhythm, born from nature, can touch both the body and soul. It’s a powerful example of the spirit of K-culture today.

Location: Assembly Roxy - Central
Date: 30 Jul - 24 Aug (excluding 11 & 18)
Time: 14:15 hrs (1 hr)
Ticket: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/the-land-of-beat

©️The Time Painter Production

The Time Painter

The Time Painter is a special theatre show that uses everyday objects to tell a powerful story. It’s based on the 1980 Gwangju Uprising in South Korea, a time when students protested for freedom.

The story is about a mother who lost her daughter during the uprising. One day, while cleaning an empty theatre, she finds an apple and a blank piece of paper. This small moment brings back memories, and the stage slowly fills with the past.

The paper is the key object in the show. When it unfolds, it shines brightly and brings back scenes and people from that time. The paper gets wet, ripped, and crumpled — just like how our memories can be fragile and easily lost. The Time Painter is not just about history. It shows how memories can come alive on stage — how they move, breathe, and take shape. The audience is invited into this space, where the line between past and present, stage and real life, begins to blur. In this quiet, moving way, remembering becomes its own form of strength.

Awarded the Korean Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Prize in 2023.

“A production that subverted expectations, conventions, and preconceived notions with wit and elegance.”
★★★★★ – Korean Theatre, July 2020

Location: Assembly George Square - Studio Three
Date: 31 Jul - 24 Aug (excluding 11 & 18)
Time: 15:05 hrs (1 hr)
Ticket: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/the-time-painter