K-POP On Broadway - P/reviews & News Thread

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 3/22/22 at 1:03pm

The producers of KPOP, the new musical set in a Korean pop music factory, have scheduled a big announcement for next Wednesday, March 30, at the Korean Cultural Center in Manhattan. The invitation reads, "A worldwide musical phenomenon. A new Broadway musical. An international star. The announcement!"

Since its off-Broadway world premiere in 2017, KPOP has been aiming for a Broadway berth. In 2019, the producers announced a talent search for a pre-Broadway work session. A planned out-of-town tryout at Washington's Signature Theatre was scrapped due to the possibility of Covid-related disruptions (this turned out to be a good call, as the run would have coincided with the December-January Omicron spike). Still, an Equity casting notice went up on March 2 which made it explicit that the producers were casting for a Broadway run in fall 2022.

Conceived by Woodshed Collective and Jason Kim, with a book by Kim and music/lyrics by Helen Park and Max Vernon, KPOP takes audiences inside the inner sanctum of the Korean pop industry, where stars are groomed to be international sensations — and maybe even crack the ever-elusive American market. The show explores how far the performers (and the suits behind them) are willing to go to achieve their dreams.

The off-Broadway production (which starred Ashley Park and which our critic called "great fun") took place at A.R.T./New York Theatres and utilized the entire building in an immersive staging that divided the audience into small tour groups. Teddy Bergman directed that production and will helm the Broadway run. It is not clear yet whether the immersive element will carry over to the Broadway production, although there is one theater that would facilitate this kind of staging better than most, and the show currently there is only scheduled through July.

The Broadway production is rumored to be led by real-life K-pop star Luna, a member of the girl group f(x) who has starred in the Korean stage versions of Legally Blonde: The Musical and In the Heights.

Details are still emerging, and will likely be revealed on the 30th, but the recently launched website suggests that we'll definitely be seeing KPOP on Broadway this year.

https://www.theatermania.com/broadway/news/kpop-to-announce-broadway-run_93536.html

Updated On: 10/28/22 at 01:03 PM

[RippedMan]

Posted: 3/22/22 at 1:21pm

A Korean In The Heights? Color me confused. 

[ClydeBarrow]

Posted: 3/22/22 at 1:39pm

In the immortal words of The Weeknd, "here we go...again."

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 3/22/22 at 1:48pm

Who is the press agent for this? What a stupid pre-announcement of an announcement. Just send a press release announcing the f'n show.

HAMILTON held an event in the lobby of the Public to announce the Broadway transfer, but this ain't HAMILTON. Save the in-person events for a junket when rehearsals start or sometime closer to the start of previews. This is not going to help their sales or buzz.

[austinyourface]

Posted: 3/22/22 at 1:50pm

RippedMan said: "A Korean In The Heights? Color me confused."

It states it was a Korean production. This sort of casting is common in productions in Asia, where there is less “diversity” as Westerners would define it. 

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 3/22/22 at 1:51pm

Circle in the Square Theatre, Fall 2022

[ACL2006]

Posted: 3/22/22 at 2:12pm

ZZZZZZZZ

[seahag2]

Posted: 3/23/22 at 3:22pm

F(X) LUNA???? 

kpop stans and theatre goers are a lethal combination.... incoming BOTH kpop twt and bwayworld commenters screaming "flop" and deeply misunderstanding how the other community functions (toxicity and all)

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 3/23/22 at 3:25pm

I wonder if the immersive element of the show will be kept at Circle in the Square, as it was at Ars Nova.

Luna’s casting feels exactly like that of Josh Groban in Great Comet, Ars Nova’s other past Broadway tenant. It may seem like glossy star casting at first, but she may turn out to be just another one of the gang and fit in very well for a fine-tuned ensemble piece. 

Updated On: 3/23/22 at 03:25 PM

[RippedMan]

Posted: 3/23/22 at 3:26pm

They're smart to get some K POP stars in a K Pop musical. And with the success of Six, this could def. be a hit. Not sure how they made this into a book musical, but excited to see something new and fresh.

[seahag2]

Posted: 3/23/22 at 3:40pm

Agreed about Luna. Korean Idol training is actually very similar to training that conservatory musicians and actors receive in the west. This is definitely not the same quality of actor that stunt casting an American pop star would get you.

[KevinKlawitter]

Posted: 8/22/22 at 2:48pm

Complete casting announced

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 8/22/22 at 2:50pm

Good for Zachary Noah Piser!

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 8/22/22 at 10:06pm

I know absolutely nothing about the K-POP world or if any of these K-POP stars are a meaningful draw. Will be interesting to see if this has crossover interest with Broadway audiences. I guess they're hoping to sell a lot of high-priced tix in that small theatre?

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 8/23/22 at 1:18am

It’s seems pretty stacked - I don’t know the KPop world at all - but they’ve got a lot of - I’d assume - names. So curious how this is staged, the music, etc. Seems like it has really transformed. 

[YvanEhtNioj]

Posted: 8/23/22 at 3:16pm

Not since SIX have I been this excited for a show. A 30 year old black man who loves K Pop..who'da thunk it. lol 

[RippedMan]

Posted: 8/23/22 at 3:33pm

Have we seen any sketches or any inklings to how it will be staged? Designed? 

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 8/24/22 at 1:05am

I’m so intrigued to see how this has changed from its Off-Broadway incarnation. The out-of-town tryout was canceled, so we didn’t get to see how it’s been rewritten/restructured. Since they’re selling actual seats to this, it won’t be the walking tour of the K-pop factory like it was at Ars Nova. This will probably be a show that must be seen to be fully grasped. The production Off-Broadway was one of the most fun nights I’ve had at the theatre, very deep and insightful while experiencing a full-on concert. I certainly hope it finds an audience.

I can’t wait to see more content now that rehearsals have started.

[Hamilfan2]

Posted: 8/24/22 at 10:16am

RippedMan said: "Have we seen any sketches or any inklings to how it will be staged? Designed?"

I’ve seen the set design, and without spoiling too much I’ll just say it’s very different from the Off-Broadway set design and very modern.  It’s pretty cool, it essentially looks like a concert stage and it’s a standing set the entire show (although there are moving elements to it).  Lots of LEDs and projection design, it will be cool :)

[RippedMan]

Posted: 8/24/22 at 1:31pm

Sounds cool. I kind of pictured a concert set up with various elements flying in for the "scenes." 

Which is how I think the Cher show should have been set up. So I'm excited.

[Moreski93]

Posted: 8/24/22 at 1:48pm

Hamilfan2 said: "RippedMan said: "Have we seen any sketches or any inklings to how it will be staged? Designed?"

I’ve seen the set design, and without spoiling too much I’ll just say it’s very different fromthe Off-Broadway set design and very modern. It’s pretty cool, it essentially looks like a concert stage and it’s a standing set the entire show (although there are moving elements to it). Lots of LEDs and projection design, it will be cool :)"

So I’ve been holding off on buying my tickets because I’ve been burned by my seats in circle in the square before. Would you say the sides or siting in the actual circle part of the theatre will be better seating?

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 8/24/22 at 7:14pm

Most of the shows are either in the round or a thrust so I’ve never had a bad seat. I’ve sat all over and always had a great view. I’d imagine for this just be as Center as possible. 

[Hamilfan2]

Posted: 8/24/22 at 10:41pm

Moreski93 said: "Hamilfan2 said: "RippedMan said: "Have we seen any sketches or any inklings to how it will be staged? Designed?"

I’ve seen the set design, and without spoiling too much I’ll just say it’s very different fromthe Off-Broadway set design and very modern. It’s pretty cool, it essentially looks like a concert stage and it’s a standing set the entire show (although there are moving elements to it). Lots of LEDs and projection design, it will be cool :)"

So I’ve been holding off on buying my tickets because I’ve been burned by my seats in circle in the square before. Would you say the sides or siting in the actual circle part of the theatre will be better seating?"

I agree with the poster who said there’s not a bad seat in the house.  However my person preference would be on the curve!  That’s where I’ve sat for the past 2 productions at Circle and never been disappointed with the view :)

[RestingOtter]

Posted: 8/25/22 at 1:39pm

Fyi, $19 tickets at the box office right now (just got mine, front row)

[YvanEhtNioj]

Posted: 8/25/22 at 4:30pm

$19? is it not selling well?