2021
也许美好结局
Maybe Happy Ending (어쩌면 해피엔딩) is a near-future love story about two obsolete helper-robots in Seoul, first staged in Korea and later developed into a global title with English-, Japanese-, and Chinese-language productions, culminating in a Tony-winning Broadway run. It is among the most internationally recognized Korean original musicals to date.
English:
Maybe Happy Ending
Korean:
어쩌면 해피엔딩
Country: China | Language: Chinese
Review
🔗 All images are linked to their original sources or articles. No copyright ownership is claimed.
ORIGIN
2016 (Seoul). Book and lyrics by Hue Park; music by Will Aronson; directed by Kim Dong-yeon. Original producers Daemyung Culture Factory and NEO Productions, later joined by The Wave, with subsequent seasons by CJ ENM and NHN Link. Premiered at DCF Daemyung Cultural Factory (Lifeway Hall). Developed through the Wooran Foundation lab program, followed by a 2016 reading in New York that led to the English-language version.
STORY
In a quiet corner of future Seoul, Oliver (Helperbot 5) and Claire (Helperbot 6) meet after being left behind by their former owners. As they share small rituals—charging batteries, paper-cup “phone” calls, and a road trip to find fireflies—they learn connection, memory, and love. Their bond deepens even as Claire’s hardware begins to fail, forcing both to confront endings and the question of whether to preserve or erase what was beautiful.
POSTER COLLECTION
Poster images are shown for documentation only. All rights belong to the original creators and producers.
KOREAN RUNS
2016 – premiere, Daemyung Culture Factory and NEO Productions, DCF Daemyung Cultural Factory 2 (Lifeway Hall). Subsequent revivals in 2017 (encore), 2018, 2020–2021, 2024, and 2025–2026 (10th-anniversary season). Multiple wins at the 2nd Korea Musical Awards including Best Small-Theater Musical.
GLOBAL STAGINGS & ADAPTATIONS
United States – Atlanta (2020)
English-language adaptation – American premiere at Alliance Theatre
Coca-Cola Stage, Jan 21 – Feb 16, 2020, directed by Michael Arden
Marked the first English-language staging and established the development pipeline toward Broadway. U.S. coverage emphasized the work’s Korean origin and cross-Pacific creative team.
Japan – Tokyo (2020)
Licensed Japanese-language adaptation – Toho Theatre Crea
Aug 11–30, 2020, starring Kenji Urai, Shoko Nakagawa, and Kana Hanazawa (alt.). Publicity highlighted the show’s Korean premiere and U.S. staging earlier the same year.
China – National (2021)
Licensed Chinese-language adaptation – produced by SAIC Shanghai Culture Square
Premiered in Shanghai with confirmed touring, including Xiamen Cangjiang Theater (Nov 13, 2021). Adaptation involved members of the original Korean creative team and was promoted as a high-quality Korean import title.
United States – New York (2024–2025)
English-language Broadway production – Belasco Theatre
Opened Nov 12, 2024 (previews from Oct 16), directed by Michael Arden and starring Darren Criss and Helen J. Shen. Won six Tony Awards in 2025, including Best Musical, Best Book, and Best Original Score—becoming the first Korean-authored musical to win Broadway’s top prize.
REFERENCES
Alliance Theatre – production listing for 2020 U.S. premiere
https://www.alliancetheatre.org/production/2020-21/maybe-happy-ending
Playbill – American premiere announcement and coverage
New York Theatre Guide – Broadway production information
https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/maybe-happy-ending
Reuters – Tony Award results confirming six wins
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/tony-awards-2025-winners-list-2025-06-08
SPICE Japan – Theatre Crea production announcement (Japanese)
https://spice.eplus.jp/articles/273907
Piaowutong – Xiamen Cangjiang Theater ticket listing for Chinese version
https://m.piaowutong.com/ticket/18/6841.html
American Theatre Magazine – article on Korean origins and U.S. development
https://www.americantheatre.org/2020/01/17/how-maybe-happy-ending-made-its-way-from-korea-to-atlanta
