KPOP Reviews — Page 5

No such thing as bad press, correct? Seems like more people are aware of this show now due to Green's review and forthcoming backlash. Let's see if it actually does anything for sales.

I would put more stock in the producers speaking out if the producing and creative teams weren't, yknow, overwhelmingly not Asian. This isn't a scrappy little production by a collective of Asian artists. It's a Broadway production. We have to stop thinking of things on Broadway as underdogs. They're not. They're multi-million dollar businesses.

Kad said: "I would put more stock in the producers speaking out if the producing and creative teams weren't, yknow, overwhelmingly not Asian. This isn't a scrappy little production by a collective of Asian artists. It's a Broadway production. We have to stop thinking of things on Broadway as underdogs. They're not. They're multi-million dollar businesses."

I am not sure I get how your first sentence relates to the rest of the post (feel free to elaborate if you want), but the point I want to make is that while I agree that the (reactive and fairly obviously publicist-scripted) letter has a disingenuous feel to it, the act of writing a letter like this is still educational and a part of the process of getting white people to think about what they think and what they say and do on the basis of those thoughts. There are far too many troubling posts on this board right now reflecting embedded racism, institutional racism, and even perhaps premeditated racism. I think the signatories to the letter (who I don't think reflect any of those labels) have learned something in this process and I also hope others have as well.

“ We have to stop thinking of things on Broadway as underdogs. They're not. They're multi-million dollar businesses.”



Very true and very well worded.

HeyMrMusic said: "Calling out coded language is melodramatic? Good to know."

Hmm, still not understanding how a word used to describe how Jesse Green physically responded to intense lighting design—however poor the word choice might have been—is "coded language.”

Code for...what exactly?

Calling out gratuitous word policing is the opposite of being close-minded, by the way.

I recall the flashlight used towards the audience in MACBETH was really bright it hurt my eyes. Same for those headlights in HADESTOWN. I don’t think the critics mentioned those in their reviews.

I agree with Noitall.

I think seasoned Broadway investors tend to reinvest a portion of the profits they’ve made in successful shows for new shows on Broadway.

If you’re an investor of Wicked or Hamilton from the very beginning, you can probably “afford” to reinvest a portion of those profits to new Broadway shows and if those shows fail, it really won’t affect your net worth that much.

HeyMrMusic said: "I saw that Tara Rubin Casting, who castKPOP, is sharing the producers’ statement via social media. Glad they are standing up for their actors in allyship."

More likely allyship with the producers who hire them and on whose good side they may wish to remain for future business in the industry. Sharing the statement was no less performative and craven than the producers' own.

As an Asian, I don’t really understand the outrage.


Anything can be a trigger for anyone now. If the cast is offended, I support them speaking out. But it’s a bit of a stretch and condescending to suggest that the critics didn’t enjoy or understand the Kpop Musical because they are incapable or unwilling to fairly judge a show that doesn’t cater to a white and English speaking audience.


Frankly that’s the main reason the show is failing. Who is the target audience supposed to be? The letter seems rather dismissive of the white, English-speaking audience that frequent the Broadway. I’m all for expanding the audience base, but I don’t see how alienating the traditional base is going to help it succeed. Perhaps less blame on racism, and more reflection of the book’s shortcomings.

HeyMrMusic said: "I really want to know why this show has hit people’s buttons, haha. It’s such an easy show to root for. It’s not doing anyone harm and only means to bring joy and entertainment by showcasing an underrepresented community. Even if you didn’t like it, who cares? We should ridicule it because it’s not selling out every night? Its existence should be a welcome addition to Broadway. We’re really taking Jesse Green’s side? Lol okay."

We're really taking the side of a critic being lambasted as a racist just because we... dont think he is!? Lol okay!

I hope KPop keeps these people employed for a while. I hope it finds an audience. I hope the world comes around to the evil of tarring people as racists---and then using that accusation in a sad attempt to justify its own failings. "Even if you didnt like it.... who cares!?" says the guy talking about a critic whose SOLE job is to tell us that he didnt like it! The nerve!

Truly embarrassing.

HeyMrMusic said: "I really want to know why this show has hit people’s buttons, haha. It’s such an easy show to root for. It’s not doing anyone harm and only means to bring joy and entertainment by showcasing an underrepresented community. Even if you didn’t like it, who cares? We should ridicule it because it’s not selling out every night? Its existence should be a welcome addition to Broadway. We’re really taking Jesse Green’s side? Lol okay.

Anyway, I’ll continue to defend it. The company has done nothing wrong in calling out something that they genuinely found offensive. It’s their right to do so. Talk to any Asian person and they will understand and sympathize and be upset. The silencing of their voices does no good. Your opposition is loudly heard. It’s something we deal with on a daily basis."

I don’t think anyone is against the show at all. I think it’s more so that they’re trying to make something where there isn’t anything and that is ruffling feathers. Especially in this day and age, to make such a fuss over something that is a very big leap and stretch to make when there are actually harmful awful things happening today… it just feels disingenuous. At least to me. You can say it was coded and whatever but I just don’t think there’s any there there.