Helen Park, Jason Kim, Max Vernon, and more speak from inside Circle in the Square Theatre about what to expect from the show's Broadway incarnation.
By
Roberto Araujo
October 12, 2022
Ahead of their first preview October 13, the cast and creatives of KPOP shared what to expect from the show as well as three numbers from the show. Watch the video above.
Delving into the world of K-pop and the entertainment industry, KPOP brings audiences into the side of the business often not seen, as it follows the successes and struggles of a fictional company and its K-pop talent. The work was conceived by Jason Kim and the Woodshed Collective and features a book by Kim with music, lyrics, and music production by Helen Park as well as music and lyrics by Max Vernon.
Led by K-pop singer Luna, the cast features fellow K-pop singers Bo Hyung Kim, Min Young Lee, and Kevin Woo, as well as Marina Kondo, Joshua Lee, Lina Rose Lee, Julia Abueva, Major Curda, Jinwoo Jung, Jiho Kang, Amy Keum, James Kho, Jully Lee, Timothy H. Lee, Abraham Lim, Kate Mina Lin, Aubie Merrylees, Patrick Park, and John Yi. Dear Evan Hansen star Zachary Noah Piser and Hamilton's Eddy Lee also star in the cast.
Director Teddy Bergman leads a creative team that includes choreographer Jennifer Weber, music director Sujin Kim-Ramsey, scenic designer Gabriel Hainer Evansohn, costume designers Clint Ramos and Sophia Choi, projection designer Peter Nigrini, hair and wig designer Mia M. Neal, makeup designer Joe Dulude II, lighting designer Jiyoun Chang, sound designers Peter Fitzgerald and Andrew Keister, makeup designer Suki Tsujimoto, and production stage manager Cherie B. Tay. Casting is by Tara Rubin Casting.
The musical, which won three Lucille Lortel Awards, including Outstanding Musical, first opened Off-Broadway in 2017 in its world premiere at Ars Nova. Ma-Yi Theater and the Woodshed Collective also contributed to bringing KPOP to the stage. The musical was awarded the 2018 Richard Rodgers Award and an Off Broadway Alliance Award for Best Unique Theatrical Experience.
A statement from the Off-Broadway company's board of directors pledges a future "filled with diversity," and "to continue our long legacy of supporting artists of all backgrounds."