THE EMPIRE OF LIGHT

About the show

What happens when a North Korean spy, living undercover in South Korea for 20 years, sees his meticulously constructed life fall apart in just 24 hours? Adapted from the critically acclaimed novel by Kim Young-ha, The Empire of Light focuses on a seemingly ordinary couple harbouring extraordinary secrets. Hailed as the “Korean Kafka”, Kim’s profound exploration of human nature is brought vividly to life with gripping intensity in this powerful play. The groundbreaking production stars Moon So-ri, the acclaimed actress who won the Marcello Mastroianni Award at the 59th Venice International Film Festival for her role in Lee Chang-dong's Oasis, among other international accolades, and who recently captivated audiences in the hit series When Life Gives You Tangerines on Netflix. She is joined by Ji Hyun-jun, one of South Korea’s most sought-after actors. Together, they deliver soul-stirring performances that capture the weight of their characters’ deepest struggles, earning praise from French critics as “calm giants of the stage”.