Yeongwol's Original Musical Wins Global Touring Invitation
Creatrip Team
3 months ago
A community-based musical from Yeongwol, Gangwon Province, titled "1457, The Boy Falls Asleep" (about King Danjong), has been specially selected as South Korea's representative for the IC Award Global Touring Initiative 2026. The production by local troupe Siwa Byeol will tour major Chinese cities including Beijing, Harbin, Xi’an, Qingdao and Hong Kong, presenting performances and workshops. The invitation follows the show’s recognition at the Edinburgh Fringe and highlights its origins as an outdoor UNESCO World Heritage site performance at Jangneung (장릉) in 2023. Combining poetic text, traditional Korean rhythms, and careful direction, the musical dramatizes the tragic story of King Danjong (단종) and local Yeongwol figures and legends. Since its founding in 2021, Siwa Byeol has focused on community-rooted creations, arts education for children and youth, and participatory local productions, strengthening Yeongwol’s cultural identity. Local officials say the global invitation reflects the company’s deep commitment to their hometown and the growing cultural reach of regional arts.
