Time Travel: That Night at Haenggung
October 3 (Sat) – October 11 (Sun), 2026, 7:00 PM, 8:00 PM, 9:00 PM (60 minutes)
Uhwagwan - Hwaryeongjeon - Naknamheon - Bongsudang - Yuyeotaek
An immersive, interactive time-travel experience that brings a day in King Jeongjo’s life in 1795 to life through cutting-edge media technologies, including installation art, light performances, laser art, projection mapping, and immersive sound, as visitors explore Hwaseong Haenggung.
※ A separate admission ticket for Hwaseong Haenggung Palace is required.
October 3 (Sat) – October 11 (Sun), 2026, 7:00 PM, 8:00 PM, 9:00 PM (60 minutes)
Uhwagwan - Hwaryeongjeon - Naknamheon - Bongsudang - Yuyeotaek
[Performance Introduction]
Hwaseong Haenggung awakens under the moonlight, and King Jeongjo’s dream comes to life once more.
Staged in the actual halls and courtyards of Hwaseong Haenggung, That Night at Haenggung is a nighttime site-specific media performance that reimagines King Jeongjo’s dreams and memories through a contemporary lens. Dance, song, and live traditional Korean music come together with media art, light, and immersive sound to transform the entire palace into a vast, dreamlike stage. As audiences walk through the palace at night, they embark on a unique journey through time where historic spaces and artistic imagination intertwine.
The dream King Jeongjo held over two centuries ago transcends time and lives on in the dreams we hold today.
[Story]
As soft moonlight settles over Uhwagwan, time within the long-slumbering palace begins to stir.
King Jeongjo’s dream of embracing all his people, like the moon that shines equally upon ten thousand streams, now becomes a single ray of light that seeps into every hall. The memories and longings harbored deep within the King’s heart unfold as a vivid fantasy before our eyes. At Hwaryeongjeon, the memory of Crown Prince Sado’s tragic death, etched deep within Jeongjo’s heart, comes back to life. Amid light and music, the intertwined wounds and sorrow find release at long last. At Naknamheon, King Jeongjo’s dream evolves into an aspiration for a new era, expressed through the dynamic movements of young scholars and brilliant arcs of light. At Bongsudang, Lady Hyegyeong-gung Hong is reunited with Crown Prince Sado, whom she had longed for throughout her life, and the two share the feelings left unspoken between them.
Finally, late into the night at Yuyeotaek, Jeongjo’s vision of transforming the world comes vividly to life. Through words, images, and light, his vision takes shape and reveals a new world where the people can finally all live in peace together.
[Synopsis by Chapter]
Chapter 1 Uhwagwan: Jeongjo’s Dream
Like the moon that shines impartially upon 10,000 streams, King Jeongjo’s wish to embrace all his people equally travels along the moonlight to Uhwagwan. Like the resilient plantain and the frost-enduring chrysanthemum, King Jeongjo’s unwavering resolve, unbroken despite countless trials, blooms through dance and light. At last, his dream becomes the moonlight of Mancheon Myeongwol (the moon that illuminates 10,000 streams) and spreads across every corner of the palace.
Chapter 2 Hwaryeongjeon: Sounds of Memory
Jeongjo’s memories, long asleep within his royal portrait, awaken to the sound of a clear voice. King Yeongjo’s anguish over having to drive his own son to his death, Crown Prince Sado’s pain and suffering, and Lady Hyegyeong-gung Hong’s long-held grief and sorrow intertwine as melodies played on different instruments. As Jeongjo embraces all these wounds, their divided hearts come together as a single piece of music that releases the sorrow they have carried for so long.
Chapter 3 Naknamheon: Gateway of Light
Seeking new talent, King Jeongjo holds the Byeolsi, a special civil service examination. Young scholars gather at Naknamheon like carp swimming upstream against a surging current. As the scholars overcome fear and press on toward their own paths, their powerful movements leave streaks of light across the night sky. Beyond the Dragon’s Gate, they soar like dragons. Amid a brilliant rain of Eosahwa (flowers bestowed by the king on those who passed the examination), King Jeongjo’s vision for a new era unfurls.
Chapter 4 Bongsudang: Reunion
A grand banquet celebrating Lady Hyegyeong-gung Hong’s 60th birthday takes place at Bongsudang. Amid the magnificent festivities, a longing buried deep within her heart blooms like peach blossoms. Beyond the soft glow of the blossoms appears Crown Prince Sado in the glory of his youth. Reaching out to each other, the two finally share the feelings they had left unspoken. This brief reunion amid falling peach blossoms becomes a warm comfort that soothes the longing she has carried for so long.
Chapter 5 Yuyeotaek: Saebit Hongmin
Late at night at Yuyeotaek, Jeongjo searches through books for a way to save his people. His thoughts ring out in a powerful voice. Before his eyes, the wisdom to change the world and his dream of a strong nation begin to take shape. As the voices of his people answer from all around, King Jeongjo firmly renews his resolve to move toward a world of Ininhwarak, a philosophy of all people living together in harmony and joy.
[Credits]
<Creative Team>
Director – Cho Hyeongje / Playwright – Kang Boram / Music – Kim Taegeun, Jang Yunhee / Planning Director – Ha Namgyeong / Production Director – Song Jaeseong / Producer – Lee Ranhee / Choreography – Gu Seulgi / Costume Design – Kim Mijeong / Props – Kim Eunyoung / Video Production – Saengdonggam / Makeup – Lee Sumin / Assistant Director – An Heegyeong / Assistant Choreographer – Kim Youngpil / Stage Manager – Kang Hyeonho
<Cast>
Chapter 1. King Jeongjo (Dancer) – Shin Donghwa
Chapter 2. Mansin (Jeongga) – / Yeongjo (Ajaeng), Jeongjo (Daegeum), Lady Hyegyeong-gung Hong (Gayageum), Crown Prince Sado (Piri)
Chapter 3. Scholars (Dancers) – Kim Gangsan, Kim Gyeongdong, Kim Yutae, Bang Seonghyeon, Yun Chan, Jeong Cheol-ung, Hwang Se-ung
Chapter 4. Crown Prince Sado (Dancer) – Kim Youngpil / Lady Hyegyeong-gung Hong (Dancer) – Kim Dana
Chapter 5. King Jeongjo (Vocalist) –
October 3 (Sat) – October 11 (Sun), 2026, 7:00 PM, 8:00 PM, 9:00 PM (60 minutes)
Uhwagwan - Hwaryeongjeon - Naknamheon - Bongsudang - Yuyeotaek
[Performance Introduction]
Hwaseong Haenggung awakens under the moonlight, and King Jeongjo’s dream comes to life once more.
Staged in the actual halls and courtyards of Hwaseong Haenggung, That Night at Haenggung is a nighttime site-specific media performance that reimagines King Jeongjo’s dreams and memories through a contemporary lens. Dance, song, and live traditional Korean music come together with media art, light, and immersive sound to transform the entire palace into a vast, dreamlike stage. As audiences walk through the palace at night, they embark on a unique journey through time where historic spaces and artistic imagination intertwine.
The dream King Jeongjo held over two centuries ago transcends time and lives on in the dreams we hold today.
[Story]
As soft moonlight settles over Uhwagwan, time within the long-slumbering palace begins to stir.
King Jeongjo’s dream of embracing all his people, like the moon that shines equally upon ten thousand streams, now becomes a single ray of light that seeps into every hall. The memories and longings harbored deep within the King’s heart unfold as a vivid fantasy before our eyes. At Hwaryeongjeon, the memory of Crown Prince Sado’s tragic death, etched deep within Jeongjo’s heart, comes back to life. Amid light and music, the intertwined wounds and sorrow find release at long last. At Naknamheon, King Jeongjo’s dream evolves into an aspiration for a new era, expressed through the dynamic movements of young scholars and brilliant arcs of light. At Bongsudang, Lady Hyegyeong-gung Hong is reunited with Crown Prince Sado, whom she had longed for throughout her life, and the two share the feelings left unspoken between them.
Finally, late into the night at Yuyeotaek, Jeongjo’s vision of transforming the world comes vividly to life. Through words, images, and light, his vision takes shape and reveals a new world where the people can finally all live in peace together.
[Synopsis by Chapter]
Chapter 1 Uhwagwan: Jeongjo’s Dream
Like the moon that shines impartially upon 10,000 streams, King Jeongjo’s wish to embrace all his people equally travels along the moonlight to Uhwagwan. Like the resilient plantain and the frost-enduring chrysanthemum, King Jeongjo’s unwavering resolve, unbroken despite countless trials, blooms through dance and light. At last, his dream becomes the moonlight of Mancheon Myeongwol (the moon that illuminates 10,000 streams) and spreads across every corner of the palace.
Chapter 2 Hwaryeongjeon: Sounds of Memory
Jeongjo’s memories, long asleep within his royal portrait, awaken to the sound of a clear voice. King Yeongjo’s anguish over having to drive his own son to his death, Crown Prince Sado’s pain and suffering, and Lady Hyegyeong-gung Hong’s long-held grief and sorrow intertwine as melodies played on different instruments. As Jeongjo embraces all these wounds, their divided hearts come together as a single piece of music that releases the sorrow they have carried for so long.
Chapter 3 Naknamheon: Gateway of Light
Seeking new talent, King Jeongjo holds the Byeolsi, a special civil service examination. Young scholars gather at Naknamheon like carp swimming upstream against a surging current. As the scholars overcome fear and press on toward their own paths, their powerful movements leave streaks of light across the night sky. Beyond the Dragon’s Gate, they soar like dragons. Amid a brilliant rain of Eosahwa (flowers bestowed by the king on those who passed the examination), King Jeongjo’s vision for a new era unfurls.
Chapter 4 Bongsudang: Reunion
A grand banquet celebrating Lady Hyegyeong-gung Hong’s 60th birthday takes place at Bongsudang. Amid the magnificent festivities, a longing buried deep within her heart blooms like peach blossoms. Beyond the soft glow of the blossoms appears Crown Prince Sado in the glory of his youth. Reaching out to each other, the two finally share the feelings they had left unspoken. This brief reunion amid falling peach blossoms becomes a warm comfort that soothes the longing she has carried for so long.
Chapter 5 Yuyeotaek: Saebit Hongmin
Late at night at Yuyeotaek, Jeongjo searches through books for a way to save his people. His thoughts ring out in a powerful voice. Before his eyes, the wisdom to change the world and his dream of a strong nation begin to take shape. As the voices of his people answer from all around, King Jeongjo firmly renews his resolve to move toward a world of Ininhwarak, a philosophy of all people living together in harmony and joy.
[Credits]
<Creative Team>
Director – Cho Hyeongje / Playwright – Kang Boram / Music – Kim Taegeun, Jang Yunhee / Planning Director – Ha Namgyeong / Production Director – Song Jaeseong / Producer – Lee Ranhee / Choreography – Gu Seulgi / Costume Design – Kim Mijeong / Props – Kim Eunyoung / Video Production – Saengdonggam / Makeup – Lee Sumin / Assistant Director – An Heegyeong / Assistant Choreographer – Kim Youngpil / Stage Manager – Kang Hyeonho
<Cast>
Chapter 1. King Jeongjo (Dancer) – Shin Donghwa
Chapter 2. Mansin (Jeongga) – / Yeongjo (Ajaeng), Jeongjo (Daegeum), Lady Hyegyeong-gung Hong (Gayageum), Crown Prince Sado (Piri)
Chapter 3. Scholars (Dancers) – Kim Gangsan, Kim Gyeongdong, Kim Yutae, Bang Seonghyeon, Yun Chan, Jeong Cheol-ung, Hwang Se-ung
Chapter 4. Crown Prince Sado (Dancer) – Kim Youngpil / Lady Hyegyeong-gung Hong (Dancer) – Kim Dana
Chapter 5. King Jeongjo (Vocalist) –