Now in its ninth year, A Festival of Korean Dance returns to The Place with an expanded UK tour featuring five leading dance venues.
Presented by the Korean Cultural Centre UK and The Place, the 2026 programme brings together acclaimed and emerging Korean companies, including Korea National Contemporary Dance Company (KNCDC), 99 Art Company and newcomers Ryu and Friends.
Opening on 13 May, the festival launches simultaneously at The Place in London and Tramway in Glasgow. At The Place, 99 Art Company will present Abyss & Ekah, a double bill exploring the power of art to connect and drive change.
The company will also tour Burnt Offering to Pavilion Dance South West on 15 May and Dance City Newcastle on 18 May. The Seoul Arts Award winning production blends traditional dance with ritualistic repetition to reveal meaning and beauty in everyday routines.
Ryu and Friends make their UK debut with GRAVITY, performed first at Tramway on 13 May then at The Place on 15 May. An eleven‑strong ensemble is swept up by invisible forces in a piece examining the harmony, chaos and interconnectedness of matter across the universe.
KNCDC will close the festival with Voyage & Hakkō at Lowry from 26 to 27 May before returning to The Place from 29 to 30 May. Voyage, created by 2025 Olivier Award nominee Young-doo Jung, follows a spacecraft inspired by the 1977 Voyager probe. Hakkō, choreographed by Ryu Suzuki, offers a meditative reflection on breath, energy and endurance.
Jaeyeon Park, Senior Producer at the Korean Cultural Centre UK, said, “As the festival celebrates its 9th year, it is a pleasure to open simultaneously at The Place in London and Tramway in Glasgow. Audiences can look forward to the return of 99 Art Company with Abyss & Ekah, alongside the UK debut of Ryu and Friends, whose GRAVITY brings explosive physical energy to the stage. Korea National Contemporary Dance Company also returns with a striking double bill, featuring Voyage by Olivier Award–nominated choreographer Young-doo Jung and the meditative intensity of Hakkō. Following its powerful reception in London, we are excited to see whether Burnt Offering will resonate just as deeply with audiences in Bournemouth and Newcastle.”
Christina Elliot, Head of Programming and Producing at The Place, said, “A Festival of Korean Dance is always a highlight of our theatre season as we celebrate the artistry and skill of Korea’s finest dancers and choreographers, inviting some festival favourites back as well as introducing new artists to the UK. This year we’re delighted to showcase two new works from 99 Art Company, following their sensual feast, Burnt Offering, which captivated audiences in 2024. Ryu and Friends make their UK debut with GRAVITY, a bold riot of energy and precision, and the festival concludes with Korea National Contemporary Dance Company with a contrasting double bill which plays with lush musicality, intense rhythms and moments of stillness and minimalism. Each of the works, in different ways, address the emotions which can threaten to overwhelm, whilst seeking beauty, clarity and joy.”
The festival continues its long-standing partnership between The Place and the Korean Cultural Centre UK, first established in 2018. Its growing popularity aligns with the global rise of Hallyu, spotlighting Korea’s international cultural influence.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
