Set in the late 21st century in a futuristic Seoul Metropolitan, 'Maybe Happy Ending' tells the story of retired helper robots, Oliver and Claire, as they discover the most human emotion of all—love. The musical seamlessly blends futuristic themes with analog sensibilities and universal messages, earning it the title of a 'well-made original musical' and the love of audiences over the past decade.
The creative duo known as 'WillHyu,' consisting of Will Aronson and Hue Park, have been involved in the project since its inception in 2014, contributing to the script, lyrics, and music. After a sold-out trial performance at the Wooran Foundation in 2015, the musical premiered in 2016 and has continued to receive critical and audience acclaim through its fifth season in 2024.
The musical has garnered numerous accolades, including four awards at the 6th Yegreen Musical Awards and six at the 2nd Korean Musical Awards. In its latest season (2024), it achieved an impressive 99.4% average seat occupancy and a 9.9 audience rating, further solidifying its status.
Beyond Korea, 'Maybe Happy Ending' has made waves on Broadway. The WillHyu duo prepared for both Korean and American performances from the start, holding a workshop in New York in 2016, which led to a collaboration with Broadway producer Jeffrey Richards. This paved the way for its U.S. debut.
Following a trial run in Atlanta in 2020, the musical officially opened at Broadway's Belasco Theatre in 2024, offering a unique charm and emotional depth that captivated global audiences.
Since May, the Broadway production has been a sell-out success, receiving rave reviews from the press, including praise from The New York Times for its 'astonishment, joy, and heart-wrenching emotion,' and Time Out calling it a 'gift to Broadway.' The musical has created a deep cross-cultural resonance.
'Maybe Happy Ending' has also been honored at major Broadway awards, including the Drama League Awards, Outer Critics Circle Awards, and Drama Desk Awards. It made history as the first Korean original musical to win six Tony Awards, setting an unprecedented milestone in musical history.
As 'Maybe Happy Ending' returns to the stage for its 10th anniversary, the dedication and effort of the WillHyu duo to enhance the production's quality each season will be evident. The creators expressed their excitement and joy at bringing the original Korean production back, promising a warm stage for both returning and new audiences.
NHN Link, which invested in the Broadway production and is producing the 10th-anniversary Korean performance, stated, "The Korean production of 'Maybe Happy Ending' is a must-see guide before experiencing it on Broadway. This performance will offer a reunion with the cast from the past decade and deliver new emotions with upgraded direction and composition. We hope it will be a warm return for long-time fans and an unforgettable start for first-time audiences."
The 10th-anniversary performance of 'Maybe Happy Ending' will run until January 25, 2026, at the Doosan Art Center's Yeon-gang Hall, with casting announcements and the first ticket sales opening in September.
Reported by Dayeon Jeong, TenAsia light@tenasia.co.kr