What is 'KPOP'? 2nd-gen idols from miss A, f(x), U-KISS, SPICA to make Broadway debut
There have been several Korean remakes of popular Broadway musicals like ‘Marie Antoinette’, ‘Hadestown’ and ‘Altar Boys’. They further turned heads as we had popular K-pop idols participating in these musicals like EXO, NCT, SF9 and Astro members. And well, it looks like it is time for K-pop to go to Broadway.
With K-pop taking over the world, it is no surprise that other industries want to dabble in it. From BTS’ surprise cameo at the Oscars to GOT7’s Bambam headlining during halftime at an NBA season finale match, we now have popular second-gen idols making their Broadway debut. The musical ‘KPOP’ has roped in actual K-pop stars like f(x)’s Luna, Min of miss A fame, Kevin Woo, a former member of U-KISS, and SPICA’s Kim Bohyung.
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‘KPOP’ the Broadway musical
On March 30, Woodshed Collective shared that a Broadway musical was in the works based on the K-pop industry and starring actual idols like f(x)’s Luna. On April 4, more idols of her generation were cast like Min, Kevin Woo, Kim Bohyung. With their successful careers as idols and being active on the cusp of K-pop’s global popularity in the 2010s, expectations are high as the musical delves into the dark side of the music industry.
Plot of ‘KPOP’
‘KPOP’ is the first Broadway musical ever based on the booming South Korean music industry and follows the life of K-pop idols under one label. With one of the artist’s inner struggles threatening to take down their label, the musical focuses on one single concert on which all of their hopes and dreams depend as it can either break or make their future.
The cast also includes Asian-American theatre actors like Julia Abueva, Will Brill, Major Curda, Joomin Hwang, Jinwoo Jung, Jiho Kang, Amy Keum, James Kho, Bo Hyung Kim, Eddy Lee, Jully Lee, Min Young Lee, Timothy H. Lee, Abraham Lim, Kate Mina Lin, Aubie Merrylees, Patrick Park, Kevin Woo, and John Yi. ‘KPOP’ is set to combine the infectious elements of a musical and K-pop concerts that themselves are a form of story-telling. Based on Jason Kim’s book of the same name, it hopes to open non-fans' eyes to the K-pop world of discipline and talent, commercial success and genuine love for their fans.
‘KPOP’ had already premiered in 2017 as an award-winning off-Broadway production but with the growing Hallyu Wave in the West, it looks like it will now be making the rounds in Broadway theatres. The preview performances will be launched on October 13 at the Circle in Square Theatre, New York. And the opening night is set for November 20.
Tickets are available at the box office and on Telecharge and will be on sale till April 16, 2023.