South Korea is celebrating its first-ever Tony Award win, a landmark achievement underscoring the nation’s growing global cultural influence.
The Broadway production of Maybe Happy Ending, initially a South Korean hit, swept the Tony Awards, securing six wins including Best Musical. The musical, about a romance between two humanoid robots in Seoul, entered the ceremony with ten nominations.
This Tony win adds to South Korea’s impressive string of accolades in US entertainment. Following Squid Game‘s Emmy wins in 2022 and Parasite‘s four Oscars in 2020, and soprano Sumi Jo’s Grammy in 1993, this victory solidifies the nation’s cultural impact.
Lyricist Hue Park and composer Will Aronson, who collaborated on the musical’s score and book, won Tonys for their work. The pair, who met at NYU, originally wrote the musical in both English and Korean before its 2024 Broadway debut.
Online, excitement is palpable. “This is amazing! The Broadway version is even better,” one social media user enthused. Another added, “This feels like a dream come true for the Korean Wave. I’m as thrilled as when Parasite won the Oscars!”
Darren Criss, playing robot Oliver, won Best Lead Actor in a Musical, his first Tony Award. Helen J Shen starred as Claire. The production, already lauded with Outer Critics Circle and Drama League Awards, continues its winning streak.
Initially directed by Kim Dong-yeon, Maybe Happy Ending premiered in Seoul in 2016 to critical acclaim and has since enjoyed numerous revivals both domestically and internationally.
This success builds on the achievements of K-pop groups like BTS and Blackpink, further establishing South Korea’s cultural dominance. Social media users highlighted the show’s preservation of Korean cultural elements like Jeju Island, fireflies, and hwabun (plant pots) in the Broadway adaptation.
“I felt proud seeing it nominated, but the audience’s reaction made it even more special,” one user shared.
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