On Sunday, South Korean lyricist Hue Park and American composer Will Aronson celebrated a major win at the Tony Awards. They took home the awards for best original score and best book of a musical for their work on "Maybe Happy Ending." This musical is set to make its Broadway debut in 2024, and it was created in both English and Korean by the two former classmates from New York University.
Social media buzzed with excitement following their win. One user expressed pride in Korea’s growing influence in the arts, likening this moment to the success of other Korean cultural milestones like "Parasite" at the Oscars and "Squid Game" at the Emmys. Another post reflected on how this achievement feels like a significant moment for the Korean Wave in entertainment.
Darren Criss, known for his role in "Glee," won the Tony for best lead actor in a musical for his portrayal of Oliver, one of the robots in the show. This marked Criss’s first Tony win. The musical also features Helen J. Shen as robot Claire and has been on a winning streak this awards season, having already secured top honors at both the Outer Critics Circle Awards and the Drama League Awards.
"Maybe Happy Ending" originally premiered in Seoul in 2016 and received critical acclaim. It has been revived multiple times in South Korea and internationally, performed in both Korean and English. The musical’s success highlights the growing presence of South Korean artists in the global entertainment scene, especially as K-pop groups like BTS and Blackpink continue to dominate the music industry.
Fans have noted that the Broadway version retains important cultural elements from Korea, such as references to Jeju Island and traditional items like hwabun, a type of plant pot. Many audience members expressed pride not only in the nominations but also in the positive reactions from local viewers, making the experience even more special.