South Korea is celebrating a landmark achievement with the first-ever Tony Award win, marking the nation’s ascent as a cultural powerhouse on the global stage. The celebrated Broadway production of Maybe Happy Ending clinched six prestigious Tonys, including the coveted title of best musical.
A groundbreaking story of romance
Maybe Happy Ending, which tells the tale of a romance between two humanoid robots residing in an apartment complex on the outskirts of Seoul, arrived at the awards with ten nominations. The musical has garnered widespread acclaim since its debut in South Korea nearly a decade ago.
The success at the Tony Awards adds to South Korea’s accolades in the realm of U.S. entertainment, as the nation has now secured victories in the four most prestigious award ceremonies. Notable achievements include Squid Game winning Emmy Awards in 2022, Parasite taking home four Oscars in 2020, and soprano Sumi Jo winning a Grammy in 1993.
Collaborative triumphs
On the night of the awards, South Korean lyricist Hue Park and American composer Will Aronson were recognized with the Tony for best original score and best book of a musical. The duo, who first met as students at New York University, crafted the musical in both English and Korean before making its Broadway debut in 2024.
“This is amazing!” one enthusiastic post on Threads declared. “I heard the Broadway version got even more polished. I’m so proud that Korea is becoming a true cultural powerhouse.”
Former Glee star Darren Criss, who portrayed the robot Oliver, celebrated his first Tony win by taking home the award for best lead actor in a musical. The cast also features Helen J Shen, who played the role of robot Claire. The musical has been on an award-winning streak this season, securing top honors at both the Outer Critics Circle Awards and the Drama League Awards.
Originally directed by Kim Dong-yeon, Maybe Happy Ending premiered in Seoul in 2016 to critical acclaim and has since enjoyed multiple revivals in South Korea and internationally, performed in both Korean and English.
The musical’s success is part of a broader trend where South Korean artists continue to make significant strides in the entertainment industry, exemplified by the global dominance of K-pop acts such as BTS and Blackpink in recent years.
Some social media users reflect on the cultural significance of the musical, noting, “It’s amazing that Korean elements like Jeju Island, fireflies, and hwabun (a plant pot) were kept in the Broadway version too.”
One individual shared, “I already felt proud just seeing it nominated, but watching the local audience react so positively made it even more special.”