South Koreans are celebrating their first win within the Tony Awards, which they are saying highlights their nation’s standing as a cultural powerhouse.
The acclaimed Broadway manufacturing of Possibly Completely satisfied Ending, which debuted in South Korea nearly a decade in the past, received six Tonys, together with greatest musical.
Possibly Completely satisfied Ending is concerning the romance between two humanoid robots residing in an residence constructing on the outskirts of Seoul. It entered Sunday evening’s awards ceremony with 10 nominations.
The wins have given South Korea EGOT standing – recognition from the 4 most coveted awards in US leisure. Squid Recreation received Emmy awards in 2022 whereas Parasite received 4 Oscars in 2020. Soprano Sumi Jo received a Grammy in1993.
On Sunday, South Korean lyricist Hue Park and American composer Will Aronson took dwelling the Tony for greatest unique rating and greatest ebook of a musical.
Earlier than making their Broadway debut with Possibly Completely satisfied Ending in 2024, the ex-classmates at New York College had written the musical in each English and Korean.
“That is superb!” one submit on Threads reads. “I heard the Broadway model bought much more polished. I am so proud that Korea is turning into a real cultural powerhouse.”
“This seems like a dream come true for the Korean Wave,” reads one other submit. “I am simply as thrilled as when Parasite received the Oscars, Squid Recreation received the Emmys, and Han Kang acquired the Nobel Prize.”
Former Glee star Darren Criss, who performed one of many robots, Oliver, received greatest lead actor in a musical. It was his first Tony win.
The musical, which additionally stars Helen J. Shen as robotic Claire, was already on a streak this awards season.
It bagged a number of the prime prizes on the Outer Critics Circle Awards and Drama League Awards this yr.
First directed by Kim Dong-yeon, Possibly Completely satisfied Ending premiered in Seoul in 2016 in the past to a lot crucial acclaim. It has since been revived a number of instances in South Korea and overseas – in each Korean and English.
Possibly Completely satisfied Ending’s success comes as South Korean artists proceed to interrupt floor in leisure, particularly with Ok-pop acts like BTS and Blackpink dominating music in the previous few years.
It additionally serves as a window into Korean tradition, some social media customers say.
“It is superb that Korean parts like Jeju Island, fireflies, and hwabun (a plant pot) have been saved within the Broadway model too,” reads on submit on Threads.
“I already felt proud simply seeing it nominated, however watching the native viewers react so positively made it much more particular.”
