Park Chun-hue writes across borders — and touches hearts
'I wanted to present a world that feels familiar yet strangely unfamiliar to Korean audiences, and one that feels foreign yet oddly relatable to international audiences,' said Park Chun-hue, also known as Hue Park, reflecting on the origins of "Maybe Happy Ending," the 2025 Tony Award-winning musical he co-created with Will Aronson.
That creative vision has defined Park's approach as a writer and it has resonated widely. Developed with longtime collaborator Aronson, "Maybe Happy Ending" has become one of Korea's most beloved original musicals, recently making history on Broadway with six Tony Awards, including best musical.
For Park, "Maybe Happy Ending" represents more than accolades: It marks a deeply personal artistic milestone. 'It was the first time Will and I built a story entirely from scratch. Creating a world and characters without a pre-existing source was both exhilarating and terrifying," he said in a recent email interview.
"I don't particularly know why it is loved. From when we first began writing in 2014 to the Broadway opening last fall, we kept refining it, trying to improve its quality even a little. I'd like to believe that's the reason," Park said.
Set in a near-future Seoul, 'Maybe Happy Ending' follows the story of Oliver and Claire — two outdated HelperBot androids discarded by their human owners — who find each other and form a bond neither expected.
On June 8, "Maybe Happy Ending," the Broadway hit adapted from a Korean musical released 10 years ago, won six Tony Awards, including best musical, best book of a musical and best original score. Park became the first Korean citizen to win a Tony.
Central to that process is Park's extraordinary creative partnership with Aronson. Though often introduced in Korea as the composer, Aronson has co-authored every narrative layer of the show. 'In the US, we're simply called writers -- whether working with notes or words,' Park explained. Their collaboration of 17 years has grown from professional partnership to a kind of artistic kinship, sustained by daily conversations, shared sensibilities and deep mutual respect. 'We've never divided the work between us. Every challenge, every joy, every step forward — we've gone through it together.'
Bringing the show to Broadway involved more than translation; it required a full-scale reimagining. The production was expanded to include dynamic set changes, a larger orchestra and new scenes that were previously left implied in the Korean staging. Some dialogues and songs were also trimmed to streamline the narrative. These changes weren't made for spectacle, Park noted, but as part of a careful process to elevate the story's emotional precision and accessibility.
Still, the essence of the original "Maybe Happy Ending" remained intact — and its emotional resonance transcended language. One audience member's story stayed with Park. During a solo trip to New York, the man had purchased tickets to 10 different shows. "Maybe Happy Ending" was the fifth. Moved beyond expectation, he sold the remaining tickets, changed his flight, and returned home early to be with his wife. Later, as a Valentine's Day gift, he brought her back to New York so they could see the show together. 'He didn't even send that story to me directly,' Park said. 'But I took it as one of the greatest compliments I've ever received.'
As Park reflects on what lies ahead, his goal remains simple yet resolute: to keep creating, with sincerity and purpose. 'As long as I continue to feel the impulse and desire to tell stories and share music, I want to remain a steady and sincere creator,' he said. 'I've now spent nearly half my life between Seoul and New York, and as someone who works between two cultures and languages, I hope to tell stories that offer a slightly different perspective -- stories that resonate with many people and carry meaning.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Korea Herald
2 hours ago
- Korea Herald
An hour romance: How South Korean kids escape 'mosol' tag
South Korean singer Jang Yoon-jeong was taken aback when her children shared an unusual aspect of their peers' dating culture: dating for just one period of the school day to avoid being labeled as 'mosol.' These '1-period couples' start dating during recess and break up before the next class begins, Jang said in a recent TV appearance. Given that a single period in South Korean elementary schools is 40 minutes, these fleeting relationships last less than an hour. Adults may wonder what these kids do during this time, whether such brief relationships can even be called "real," and why they engage in them at all. One of the primary motivators behind this dating trend is an eagerness to avoid the dreaded 'mosol' label, a Korean slang term for someone who has never been in a relationship, which directly translates to 'single since birth.' To escape the label, some are engaging in brief, practically symbolic relationships, lasting as little as an hour, just to prove they have dated. 'You just give a note to a friend you like, saying, 'Do you want to go out with me?' and if he says yes, then we are girlfriend and boyfriend. Then we break up after the class ends,' said an 11-year-old student surnamed Kim. 'This way, I am no longer a person with no experience, and can say I have had a boyfriend to my friends,' she explained. Asked about what she does when she has a boyfriend, or what a boyfriend means to her, she said they are 'a closer friend.' And they play hide-and-seek. In South Korea, where relationships are often seen as a marker of social competence and normalcy, the fear of being a 'relationship virgin' has started to impact young children. These brief relationships act as a social shield, allowing children to feel included and accepted. This stigma, combined with social media's relentless promotion of ideal relationships, has trickled down to the youngest members of society, pushing children into developing their own dating practices. For example, confessions of affection are sometimes outsourced. Students post messages on social media asking for volunteers to confess on their behalf. One posts something on social media like: 'I like someone. Can you guess who it is? I'll reveal it to the first person who comments.' Then, the first commenter conveys that romantic interest on behalf of the original poster. 'When my son explained this culture to me, I was stunned,' said 45-year-old Kim Joong-whan in an interview with The Korea Herald. ''Is this some kind of stand-in for real emotions?' I asked. It's shocking how what used to be a heartfelt, nerve-wracking moment of confession has turned into a playful online trend.' To avoid the embarrassment of rejection, children have also adopted a strategy called 'janggo,' a term made by kids, which is short for 'confession joke.' If a romantic overture is declined, one can quickly backtrack by claiming it was just a joke and save face. This method has gained popularity among children as a way to protect feelings while testing the waters of a potential relationship. Experts point to the pervasive influence of social media as a key factor driving these behavioral trends. 'Platforms are flooded with content that glamorizes relationships, from romantic confessions to curated couple aesthetics,' said Shin Kyung-ah, a sociology professor at Hallym University. 'This constant exposure influences children to emulate the behaviors they see, often without fully understanding the implications.' Relationship-oriented terms such as 'ppoppo' (a peck on the lips or cheek), 'kiss' (typically used in a romantic, intimate context in Korean), 'skinship' (a Korean word created from English terms to mean physical affection) and referring to one another as 'lovers' have become part of children's everyday vocabulary, according to a 31-year-old elementary school teacher. 'My students openly discuss these terms with their peers. Words like 'kiss,' which were once whispered, are now casually thrown around,' the teacher said. While some parents find the innocence of such interactions endearing, others express discomfort at the accelerated pace of their children's emotional development. Educators and experts also highlight the importance of teaching children about boundaries and consent to navigate relationships responsibly. Experts stress the need for age-appropriate education on relationships and emotional boundaries. Sex education specialists emphasize that parents should avoid harsh criticism and instead provide calm guidance, explaining the responsibilities and limits associated with relationships. Teaching children how to express and accept rejection is particularly crucial, as an inability to handle rejection has been linked to issues such as bullying and retaliatory behaviors.
Korea Herald
5 hours ago
- Korea Herald
Purple Kiss abruptly announces split: Is an overcrowded K-pop scene to blame?
Move comes despite new release, shows smaller labels' difficulties as K-pop market reaches breaking point K-pop girl group Purple Kiss has abruptly announced that it will disband, less than five years after its debut. The group's agency, RBW, announced Monday that the six-member group would officially end its activities in November. 'Because the group held deep meaning for both the company and the members, we spent a long time having serious discussions about what the future should look like,' RBW said in a statement. 'In the end, we reached a conclusion that respects each other's wishes and supports the members' individual dreams.' The announcement came as a surprise, especially as Purple Kiss had just released a physical single, 'I Miss My …' last month and held media interviews to promote it. The group is also expected to release an English version of the single later this month, followed by promotional activities in Japan and concerts in the US and Korea. 'While group activities are ending, we plan to carry out the scheduled promotions as planned to repay fans for the love and support they've shown so far,' RBW added. Hints of uncertainty could, in hindsight, be seen in the group's previous media interviews. 'I Miss My …' was Purple Kiss' first release since EP 'Headway' in October 2024. It marked a shift from the group's signature "witch," concept to a brighter, fairy-like aesthetic. During the press interview, member Dosie shared her initial concerns about the change. 'When I first got the song, the lyrics were all in English, so it was hard to understand and connect with emotionally. I wasn't sure if I could express the song well or blend into this concept naturally,' Dosie said. Another member, Swan, recalled performing at a 'spoiler busking' event on July 12. 'It had been so long since we performed in front of Korean fans, especially at such a public venue. I was so nervous I had to keep telling myself 'Doremi' to build confidence,' Swan said. 'Doremi' is the main song from Purple Kiss's second EP. The group's disbandment has reignited discussions about the difficulties artists with smaller labels face in an increasingly oversaturated market, especially if they are girl groups. In the hyper-competitive K-pop industry, where dozens — if not hundreds — of new groups debut each year, maintaining visibility and a fandom is a major challenge without the backing of one of the 'big four' agencies — Hybe, SM, JYP and YG. Music critic Lim Hee-yoon also said Korean listeners were less open to new groups. 'The domestic market has become incredibly competitive. There are too many groups debuting and, compared to the past, the general public's consumption of idol music in Korea has decreased significantly,' Lim said. 'These days, unless an idol group is already famous, most listeners just stick to what they already know — the songs they usually listen to, their favorite artists or algorithm-recommended tracks. It's harder for idol groups to generate buzz the way they used to.' Within the Purple Kiss fandom, known as Plory, criticism has long simmered over RBW's lack of a consistent promotion strategy. Despite releasing new albums, fans pointed to a lack of follow-up content and prolonged hiatuses that made it difficult for the group to keep the public engaged. The case reflects how even mid-tier agencies like RBW — known for its success with girl group Mamamoo — can struggle to keep pace with the industry. An executive at another smaller label also pointed to the advantage large agencies give their artists before they debut. ''Big four' companies already have solid fan bases and use that as a launchpad to expand across Asia and globally. That takes time and a lot of money,' the executive said. 'But for idols from smaller companies, they have to build everything from scratch — fan base, visibility, momentum. Not only is success difficult, but even sustaining activity becomes a serious challenge.'
Korea Herald
5 hours ago
- Korea Herald
The best 'KPop Demon Hunters'-style merch that's not from Netflix
When 'KPop Demon Hunters' dropped on Netflix in June, the title alone made many viewers cringe. But the animated film turned out to be a welcome, pleasant surprise. The animation was slick, the characters were fresh and adorable and the cultural references hit all the right notes. Fans around the world took notice. Naturally, merchandise soon followed. Netflix rolled out the usual lineup, including hoodies, graphic tees and bucket hats. As of Monday, there are 126 different items under its 'KPop Demon Hunters' category. Some fans love the official merch. Others felt the designs played it a little too safe. A few have even pointed out it looked rushed, speculating that the streaming giant had not expected the show's success and did not have time to prepare in advance. Then merch from the National Museum of Korea started grabbing attention. Many of the museum's products draw on the same traditional art forms that inspired the animated film, especially standout characters like the tiger Derpy and magpie Susie, or the stage backdrop based on "Irworobongdo," a traditional folding screen depicting the sun, moon and five mountain peaks. Below are some of the best pieces to consider. Pin that went viral One of the most talked-about pieces is a metal badge featuring a white tiger with a magpie perched on its head, inspired by 'jakhodo,' a traditional folk art style known for depictions of tigers and magpies. The design resonates with fans of Derpy and Susie. Demand has been so high that the badge is now on backorder, with a limit of three per customer and an estimated shipping date pushed to November. Derpy-esque AirPods case Another standout is an AirPods case decorated with a face reminiscent of Derpy, illustrated in minhwa, a Korean folk painting style. Combining functionality with charm, the case has become a bestseller. It's compact, cute, practical and easy to spot in any bag thanks to the attached red tassel, which is a rendition of the small decorative tassels found in traditional artwork of tigers. Summer-specific items In "KPop Demon Hunters," girl group Huntrix performs on a stage designed to resemble "Irworobongdo," presenting a digital version of the traditional Korean folding screen depicting the sun, moon and five mountain peaks, based on a 19th-century painting. This sophisticated artwork has been reimagined as folding fans and sun umbrellas ― perfect essentials for this scorching summer. If you were thinking of getting them this summer anyway, why not get one with a cool design? Got a gat brooch? Adding a touch of tradition to any outfit, or even a bag, this glittering brooch is shaped like a gat, the iconic horsehair hat once worn by noblemen in the Joseon era (1392-1910). It also pays homage to the Netflix movie's fictional boy band, Saja Boys, who wear stylized versions of the hat onstage. The museum's take stays true to the original, down to the gatkeun, the decorative hat string that once signified social status through its materials and craftsmanship. While faithful to tradition, the brooch also adds a playful, sparkly twist. Cup with clever twist Rounding out the lineup is a ceramic cup and coaster set inspired by the gat. When flipped upside down on its coaster, the cup resembles a miniature version of the hat. It's a witty, giftable piece that blends form and function ― both stylish and practical.
