KPOP Reviews

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 11/26/22 at 8:05pm

THE EXHILARATING ENERGY OF A STADIUM CONCERT MEETS THE TALENT AND PASSION OF YOUR FAVORITE MUSICAL IN KPOP!

Packed with pulse-pounding new music and electrifying choreography, this original musical explores the relentless discipline, raw talent, and commercial ambition behind the international sensation. As global superstars put everything on the line for a special one-night-only concert, they face struggles both cultural and personal that threaten to dismantle one of the industry’s hottest labels. Featuring a cast of K-pop and musical theater stars, it's a multimedia experience unlike anything else on Broadway.

KPOP, after starting previews in October, celebrated an opening night at Circle In The Square on November 20. The official opening and reviews are scheduled for November 27, 2022.

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 11/26/22 at 8:24pm

I hope the critics agree with me this time once again, just like they agreed with me when it comes to Strange Loop and LEA in Funny Girl. I hope they get it. But if not, oh well, life goes on.

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 11/26/22 at 8:34pm

I know the show has changed somewhat since I saw it a month ago, but I hope the critics take the show for what it is: a fizzy, exuberant blast with at least some attempted substance beneath. 

I seem to recall the Ars Nova production received some good notices. 

[DCS]

Posted: 11/26/22 at 8:37pm

The Ars Nova production did receive good reviews...what's playing at Circle In The Square is NOT the Ars Nova production.  Several friends I know who saw both, loved it at Ars Nova and hated the show at Circle (a few even left at intermission).  We shall see what the critics think.

[BOM]

Posted: 11/26/22 at 9:23pm

Would great reviews even make a difference at this point? Kimberly opened to raves and is still struggling...

[Robbie2]

Posted: 11/26/22 at 9:53pm

DCS said: "The Ars Nova production did receive good reviews...what's playing at Circle In The Square is NOT the Ars Nova production. Several friends I know who saw both, loved it at Ars Nova and hated the show at Circle (a few even left at intermission). We shall see what the critics think."

Same here and we have no desire to see it

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 11/27/22 at 11:51am

Seeing it this again this afternoon, hopefully the book is so much better than what I saw late October. That said, I'm so hopeful the reviews aren't cruel. So much works about the show, that cast is incredible.

[BETTY22]

Posted: 11/27/22 at 1:08pm

I saw a performance Saturday at 2pm.

O&M rep was outside handing out press tickets - she had a huge amount of envelopes in her hands. 

This was rough. I went with an open mind and was hoping for a pop concert, SIX type show - unfortunately, that did not happen. 

 

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 11/27/22 at 3:11pm

I saw this again Friday night (apparently the NYT/Jesse Green was at that performance as well). It is much improved since I saw it the first week of previews. Much more cohesive, much tighter, and the script changes are for the better (thank goodness). It's true that it's an entirely different beast than it was at Ars Nova, but I still had an incredible time, and my k-pop-loving siblings are now obsessed with the show. I expect critics to not get this, but I hope the show will get some usable pull quotes. There are so many aspects that are really, really good, including the music, the costumes, the choreography, the energy and entertainment value. Luna is an absolute star and has created such a beautiful character in MwE. In fact, the entire cast feels like they are actual k-pop performers instead of Broadway actors, which makes it feel authentic. Go and have a blast; there's truly nothing like it.

Updated On: 11/27/22 at 03:11 PM

[KitKatBoy24]

Posted: 11/27/22 at 5:50pm

Forgive me, but I’m confused after all the cancellations and pseudo-opening night. When are we actually expecting the reviews to come out?

[ElephantLoveMedley]

Posted: 11/27/22 at 6:03pm

KitKatBoy24 said: "Forgive me, but I’m confused after all the cancellations and pseudo-opening night. When are we actually expecting the reviews to come out?"

Most of them just dropped a few minutes ago. Guess the embargo lifted at 6PM.

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 11/27/22 at 6:05pm

Broadway News: Broadway’s underdeveloped ‘KPOP’ is saved by the music

“KPOP” has the most electric original score on Broadway [...] While discrepancies riddle the musical’s book and erase all potential for a transformative time, I’d instead advise to venture out in pursuit of an entertaining one. You’ll find that at “KPOP.”

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 11/27/22 at 6:07pm

NYT: In ‘KPOP,’ Korean Pop and Broadway Meet (Too) Cute

In its remaking for Broadway I wish “KPOP” had preserved more moments like that: moments that allow you to consider what the excitement of K-pop (for those who feel it) and the expressiveness of American musical theater (likewise) can profitably say to each other. Both have their fans and no doubt their glories, as well as their limitations. But it seems to me that in introducing the two, a good place to have met would have been, well, halfway. “KPOP” still has far to go to get there.

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 11/27/22 at 6:09pm

Theatrely: KPOP The Musical Shines On Broadway
KPOP The Musical is the most exciting, interesting, and alive show on Broadway right now. In a season of half-baked adaptations and Golden Age revival attempts, this exhilarating musical is a reminder of the importance of new works and contemporary stories. This musical knows exactly what it wants to be and the cast? They’re ready to win over your heart. 

Updated On: 11/27/22 at 06:09 PM

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 11/27/22 at 6:11pm

Daily Beast: ‘KPOP’ on Broadway Is a Flashy Concert in Search of a Fuller Story

The show doesn’t dig into or resolve its narrative tensions—either cultural or personal—but then it doesn’t really ratchet them up to a too-critical level either (a funny moment comes when two of the boys reveal where they’re really from). There is a “show must go on,” “we’re all different, let’s be a team and do this” attitude adopted to defuse the tensions and self-questioning in both the boys’ and girls’ bands, and in MwE’s situation. The show ends with the bands resplendent in white for a final give-it-all song. It’s a closing high note for a show that is really only about the music.

[ElephantLoveMedley]

Posted: 11/27/22 at 6:17pm

These are... not good.

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 11/27/22 at 6:42pm

Did They Like It Aggregate

Thumbs Up: 4

Mixed: 4

Thumbs Down: 1

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 11/27/22 at 6:42pm

DTLI Consensus: KPOP is an uneven, incoherent piece of live theatre (especially its book), but it’s the lively score and choreography that blasts off into the Broadway stratosphere. 

4 positive, 4 mixed, 1 negative (the NYT).

https://didtheylikeit.com/shows/kpop/

[KitKatBoy24]

Posted: 11/27/22 at 6:55pm

Honestly, this could’ve gone a lot worse for KPOP. Their fate lies in marketing and sales now…

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 11/27/22 at 7:29pm

i think their fate is sealed. i dont quite understand what the producers were thinking here, but Korean pop music is either something you are into, or are not- you couldn't pay me to see this show, its just not something remotely appealing to me (or my friends, and i would gather most theatergoers). It needed very strong reviews to convince someone like me that this is, in fact, worth seeing despite not having any affinity for this niche. these reviews arent doing that.

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 11/27/22 at 7:45pm

That’s a very narrow mindset. Pop/rock music has infiltrated Broadway for years/decades and it’s here to stay. Why not have a musical featuring k-pop, a very popular genre not just in the US but worldwide? There’s a musical that just opened featuring bubblegum pop. The biggest show in decades heavily features rap. No genre of anything is “you like it or you don’t.”

Anyway, these could have been far worse. There is lots to use in these reviews. I think these were sort of respectful and far kinder than the vultures here.

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 11/27/22 at 8:21pm

HeyMrMusic said: "That’s a very narrow mindset. Pop/rock music has infiltrated Broadway for years/decades and it’s here to stay. Why not have a musical featuring k-pop, a very popular genre not just in the US but worldwide? There’s a musical that just opened featuring bubblegum pop. The biggest show in decades heavily features rap. No genre of anything is “you like it or you don’t.”"

Wait wha? I'm not a Neil Diamond fan, so I'm not planning on seeing the Neil Diamond musical. I am a big Green Day fan, so I saw American Idiot three times. I wouldn't spend a cent to support the Jackson Estate, but MJ is based on a very popular catalogue that has literally billions of fans. 

Without recognizable pop music that fans are eager to hear live, you need to sell patrons on a story, or celebrity, or something else to hook them in. K-Pop does none of that, it just announces that it consists of K-pop music, something I have absolutely no interest in. Now, of course, a review/word of mouth that tells me that despite my lack of familiarity with this genre, I should see it anyway because XYZ, and we are in business. Im merely pointing out that the reviews (and the posts here) have not done that at all. The producers seem to have gambled on the existence of K-pop being enough to sell tickets; I think that gamble has clearly not paid off.

As for pop-heavy Moulin Rouge and &Juliet, they are printing money because they have (i) recognizable pop songs everyone knows, and they feature those songs heavily to get people in, and (ii) are both based on famous films/plays that pique people's interest. And a pop musical like RENT won the Pulitzer, and was The Talk of the Town for 3 years. 

Again, K-Pop does none of this. So the idea that I'm suggesting that pop music isnt here to stay is ridiculous. Of course it is- and its inclusion on Bway is welcome. But that in and of itself sure ain't enough to sell tickets. Why you are arguing this point when this show is playing to half empty audiences is beyond me. 

but mea culpa if i came across as not wanting this to succeed-- i wish it all the best, and if it found an audience, id be happy to see it run. And, again, if the NYT or Vulture or the New Yorker or even the right crew on these boards told me it was worth seeing, I'd happily try it. My point is none of thats happening.

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 11/27/22 at 8:56pm

While the pseudo-opening night was earlier this week, it was clear from their emotion at the end of today's matinee that they knew this was the day they were waiting for. And the audience was happy to show their love, it really felt like a concert audience, complete with phone lights being pulled out to wave for the ballads, and the cast were so moved. Last time I saw the show was late October. Since then, the book is still a mess, with some small improvements, but credit to Teddy Bergman for a least making those book scenes feel tighter. Thankfully you're never too far away from a song, and seriously, the songs and choreography just some of the best, and best performed, I've seen in recent memory. I really wish they could've found a way to structure it as a play with music - and really just do away with the director character - but I still love the show and hope it lasts a good while to find the audience. Because with few exceptions, the audience was loving it. (There were so many repeat viewers today, including people I saw back in October!)

[dearalanaaaa]

Posted: 11/27/22 at 9:27pm

PipingHotPiccolo said: "Wait wha? I'm not a Neil Diamond fan, so I'm not planning on seeing the Neil Diamond musical. I am a big Green Day fan, so I saw American Idiot three times. I wouldn't spend a cent to support the Jackson Estate, but MJ is based on a very popular catalogue that has literally billions of fans.
Without recognizable pop music that fans are eager to hear live, you need to sell patrons on a story, or celebrity, or something else to hook them in. K-Pop does none of that, it just announces that it consists of K-pop music, something I have absolutely no interest in. Now, of course, a review/word of mouth that tells me that despite my lack of familiarity with this genre, I should see it anyway because XYZ...  The producers seem to have gambled on the existence of K-pop being enough to sell tickets; I think that gamble has clearly not paid off."

This is precisely why this is getting mixed reviews. I totally agree with you. You can't just slap a fun genre into a theatre and call it a Broadway show, that's like if somebody saw the discography of Twenty One Pilots, made a musical called "Alternative Music, the musical" and created music inspired by the genre (Not by any specific alternative artist) and then had a plot about the struggles of a small band growing in the alternative scene in the USA. The plot is far too flimsy, it doesn't make sense and even if the music is good it'll never save the book. I'm glad the reviews are mixed but the writing is on the wall, this won't survive to the Tony's without convincing real kpop fans or traditional audiences to see this.

 

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 11/27/22 at 10:00pm

dearalanaaaa said: "
This is precisely why this is getting mixed reviews. I totally agree with you. You can't just slap a fun genre into a theatre and call it a Broadway show, that's like if somebody saw the discography of Twenty One Pilots, made a musical called "Alternative Music, the musical" and created music inspired by the genre (Not by any specific alternative artist) and then had a plot about the struggles of a small band growing in the alternative scene in the USA. The plot is far too flimsy, it doesn't make sense and even if the music is good it'll never save the book. I'm glad the reviews are mixed but the writing is on the wall, this won't survive to the Tony's without convincing real kpop fans or traditional audiences to see this.

"

Agreed but I think you've giving K-Pop production way too much credit by suggesting that anyone would have ANY idea that there even is a plot here to speak of... the marketing has been vague, at best. And if all your average ticket buyer knows is "oh theres a show of Korean pop music"--unless you are already a fan of it, I just can't fathom why anyone would plunk down $100 for the privilege.