Hue Park and Will Aronson, currently flying high as the Tony-winning writers of 2025 Best Musical Tony winner Maybe Happy Ending, can add a new accolade to their résumés: the ASCAP Foundation's Richard Rodgers New Horizons Award, which includes a $10,000 cash prize. The honor is given to "promising composers of musical theatre who have made a significant contribution to American music culture."

Park and Aronson's American influence is relatively recent, having made the bulk of their career in South Korea. Maybe Happy Ending, which premiered in Korea in 2016, is already a mega-hit overseas with many revivals. The pair met at NYU's Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program, and have been primarily based in Korea, but are now both living in NYC. Their other musicals include Il Tenore, Ghost Bakery, and Bungee Jump.

"The power of Will Aronson and Hue Park’s collaboration is undeniable," says Foundation President Paul Williams in a statement. "Their work has captivated audiences from Seoul to New York, transcending languages and cultures through stories and music rooted in human emotion. They are bold storytellers with a bright future, and we are truly honored to support them on their musical journey."

Past winners of the honor have included Michael R. Jackson, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, and David Hein and Irene Sankoff.

Maybe Happy Ending continues its Tony-winning Broadway run at the Belasco Theatre.

Visit ASCAPFoundation.org.