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Korean-Created Musicals Abroad

This section highlights original Korean musicals that have crossed borders to premiere in the United States and United Kingdom. These productions represent Korea’s own creative storytelling, staged abroad as official exports or international premieres.

From large-scale historical works such as The Last Empress (명성황후) — which was presented at Lincoln Center and the West End — to contemporary originals like Maybe Happy Ending (어쩌면 해피엔딩), which began in Seoul in 2016 and later earned 10 Tony Award nominations on Broadway, Korean musicals continue to gain recognition on the global stage.

More recent titles, including The Great Gatsby and Arang (몽유도원), further demonstrate how Korean creators are shaping narratives that resonate internationally, while expanding the cultural reach of K-musicals.

Where available, this archive provides production details, timelines, media coverage, and reception abroad. In other cases, it records fragments of information to preserve and trace the evolving global journey of Korean-created musicals.

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Disclaimer on Poster Use: Posters featured in this archive are embedded solely for documentary and educational purposes. Each image links to its original source, and no copyright ownership is claimed.

몽유도원 (몽유도원도)

Arang

Musical Posters link

🟥 Korean Original

International Runs

2026 (Planned): New York, Lincoln Center, David H. Koch Theater

Philosophical story based on a Korean novel; poetic staging; reimagined with modern score

위대한 개츠비

The Great Gatsby

Musical Posters link

🟨 Chunsoo Shin
🟨 OD producer

International Runs

2024: Broadway Theatre, New York, USA
2025: London Coliseum, London, UK

Korean-developed Broadway production based on the American novel; by Shin Chun-soo

키키의 경계성 인격장애 다이어리

Kiki’s Borderline Personality Disorder Diary

Musical Posters link

🟥 Korean Original

International Runs

2024: Lilian Baylis Studio, London, UK

A confessional musical where Kiki confronts life with BPD, mixing honesty, humor, and music

마리 퀴리

Marie Curie

Musical Posters link

🟥 Korean Original

International Runs

2022: Gatsby's Mansion, London, UK
2024: Charing Cross Theatre, London, UK

Showcase Production in English

라흐헤스트

L’art Reste

Musical Posters link

🟥 Korean Original

International Runs

2023: New York (Workshop, Venue unknown)
2024: The Green Room 42, Manhattan

Musical about prominent Korean artists; Korean production staged abroad

크레이지 브레드

Crazy Bread

Musical Posters link

🟥 Korean Original

International Runs

2022: New York (reading, venue unknown)
2023: New York (reading, venue unknown)
2025: TheatreSouth at First Congo, Memphis, TN

Four bakers prepare to open “Crazy Bread,” sharing sorrows and growth while inviting audience reflection

케이팝

Kpop

Musical Posters link

🟦 Korean Theme

International Runs

2022: Broadway (Circle in the Square Theatre)

Broadway debut; closed early

어거스트 러쉬

August Rush

Musical Posters link

🟩 CJ Producer

International Runs

2014: NYC lab (Reading Performance)
2019: Paramount Theatre, Aurora, Illinois, USA

American musical adapted from the 2007 film; CJ ENM co-produced the original movie

닥터 지바고

Doctor Zhivago

Musical Posters link

🟨 Chunsoo Shin producer

International Runs

2006: San Diego, California
2011: Lyric Theatre, Sydney, Australia
2015: Broadway Theatre, New York

Short Broadway run; OD company and Lotte Entertainment

영웅

Hero

Musical Posters link

🟥 Korean Original

International Runs

2011: New York, Lincoln Center, David H. Koch Theater

About Korean independence activist An Jung-geun

명성황후

The Last Empress

Musical Posters link

🟥 Korean Original

International Runs

1997–1998: David H. Koch Theater, Lincoln Center (New York)
2002: Hammersmith Apollo Theatre, West End (London)
2003: Kodak Theatre (LA)
2004: Hummingbird Centre (Toronto)

First Korean musical staged in the West; milestone in global outreach

여신님이 보고계셔

The Goddess Is Watching

Musical Posters link

🟥 Korean Original

International Runs

2025: The Other Palace Studio, London (Planned)

Korean war musical of faith and humanity heads to London

프리다

Frida: The Last Night Show

Musical Posters link

🟥 Korean Original

International Runs

2024: Bing Theatre, Los Angeles

Presented by the USC School of Dramatic Arts; the Korean Cultural Center, Los Angeles

팬레터

Fan Letter

Musical Posters link

🟥 Korean Original

International Runs

2024: Lilian Baylis Studio, London, UK

Fan Letter (1930s Seoul) — writers uncover secrets of author Hikaru

하우스메이트

Housemates

Musical Posters link

🟦 Korean Theme

International Runs

2024: The Attic Studio @ The Tank, New York
2024: Libra Theatre Café, London (Camden Fringe Festival)

Woori Han’s witty tale of friendship and culture clash

유앤잇

You & It

Musical Posters link

🟥 Korean Original

International Runs

2023: Wonderville Theatre, London (Showcase as You&AI)
2024: Wonderville Theatre, London
2024: Assembly Checkpoint, Edinburgh Festival Fringe

A poignant Korean musical about love, loss, and AI humanity

레드북

Red Book

Musical Posters link

🟥 Korean Original

International Runs

2022.12.05: Seven Dial Playhouse, London (reading)
2023.11.10: The Other Palace (showcase)

Two showcase/reading performances in English

광주

Gwangju The Musical

Musical Posters link

🟥 Korean Original

International Runs

2022: 787 Seventh Theater, New York, NY

Gala concert of the musical

오페라 도산

Musical Dosan

Musical Posters link

🟥 Korean Original

International Runs

2019: Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA
2019: Korean Cultural Center, Los Angeles
2019: Wilshire Ebell Theatre, Los Angeles
2022: La Mirada Theatre, La Mirada, CA
2024: Wilshire Ebell Theatre, Los Angeles

A Korean original musical collaboratively developed by Korean-American artists in Southern California

내 말이 들리면 소리쳐

Holler If Ya Hear Me

Musical Posters link

🟨 Chunsoo Shin producer

International Runs

2014: Palace Theatre, Broadway, New York, USA

Short Broadway run; OD company

천국의 눈물

Tears of Heaven

Musical Posters link

🟥 Korean Original

International Runs

2009: Manhattan, USA (venue unknown)

Two Broadway workshops

양반전

The Tale of a Korean Aristocrat

Musical Posters link

🟥 Korean Original

International Runs

1987: Los Angeles (America Music Center), San Francisco (San Francisco Opera House), Sacramento, San Diego, and Culver City, USA

Cultural exchange pre-Seoul Olympics; invited to Japan in 1991

1457, 소년 잠들다

1457, The Boy at Rest

Musical Posters link

🟥 Korean Original

International Runs

2025: Studio One at Assembly George Square Studios

Tragic musical retelling King Danjong’s fall and quiet courage

스웨그에이지: 외쳐, 조선!

Swag Age: Shout Out, Joseon!

Musical Posters link

🟥 Korean Original

International Runs

2024: Lilian Baylis Studio, London, UK
2025: Gillian Lynne Theatre, London

West End debut in a concert performance (Sep 2025) with Yang Hee-jun as Dan and Kim Soo-ha as Jin

아리아라리

Ari: The Spirit of Korea

Musical Posters link

🟥 Korean Original

International Runs

2023: Adelaide Festival, Australia (official invitation)
2024: Edinburgh Festival Fringe, UK (official invitation; Korean Season at the Fringe)

Adelaide (2023) and Edinburgh (2024) showcases of Jeongseon Arirang with music and dance

런던 레코드

London Record

Musical Posters link

🟥 Korean Original

International Runs

2024: The Other Palace Studio, London

Interactive Korean musical London Record debuts in the West End

마이 버킷 리스트

My Bucket List

Musical Posters link

🟥 Korean Original

International Runs

2022: London Showcase (K-Musical Roadshow; venue not specified)

Two young men facing death rediscover hope through friendship

인사이드 윌리엄

Breaking the Quill

Musical Posters link

🟥 Korean Original

International Runs

2022: London Showcase (venue not specified)
2024: The Other Palace Studio, London (English workshop showcase)

Hamlet, Juliet, and Romeo escape their scripts as Shakespeare struggles to finish his masterpieces

어쩌면 해피엔딩

Maybe Happy Ending

Musical Posters link

🟥 Korean Original

International Runs

2020: Alliance Theatre, Atlanta, USA
2024: Belasco Theatre, Broadway, New York, USA

Original Korean musical; 6 Tony Awards including Best Musical (2025)

인터뷰

Interview

Musical Posters link

🟥 Korean Original

International Runs

2017: St. Clement's Theatre, New York

Psychological thriller unmasking a decade-old murder

선피쉬

Sunfish

Musical Posters link

🟦 Korean Theme

International Runs

2011: Stoneham Theater, Boston, USA

Based on Korean folktale 'Sim-Chung'; cultural bridge

두번째 태양

Another Sun

Musical Posters link

🟥 Korean Original

International Runs

2008: New York City Center, New York
2010: Sadler’s Wells Theatre, London

Mythic Korean musical retelling Dangun’s legend of love, greed, and humanity

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