KPOP, a new musical about one of the world’s biggest industries, is closing just a few weeks after opening on Broadway at the Circle in the Square.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the musical will hold its final performance on December 11. There will be a panel discussion about AAPI representation on Broadway following the performance. Panelists will include David Henry Hwang, the first Asian American playwright to win a Tony; KPOP‘s Helen Park the first Asian female composer in Broadway history; Korean playwright Hansol Jung; and actor Pun Bandhu.
The musical is directed by Teddy Bergman with a book by Jason Kim, Vulture reports. Park and Max Vernon wrote the lyrics and music. Cast members include: Luna, Julia Abueva, BoHyung, Major Curda, Jinwoo Jung, Jiho Kang, Amy Keum, James Kho, Marina Kondo, Eddy Lee, Joshua Lee, Jully Lee, Lina Rose Lee, Timothy H. Lee, Abraham Lim, Min, Kate Mina Lin, Aubie Merrylees, Patrick Park, Zachary Noah Piser, Kevin Woo, and John Yi.
According to The New York Times, the musical’s ticket sales were low and it was not bringing in the revenue needed to sustain production. The New York Times was the subject of a recent controversy surrounding the musical. Producers from KPOP wrote the company demanding an apology after New York Times critic Jesse Green’s review. In his review, Green called Jiyoun Chang’s lighting design “squint-inducing.” He also claimed that non-Korean speakers would not be able to enjoy the show.
Green declined to comment but referred The Daily Beast to the Times’ PR, who sent The Daily Beast a statement.
“We saw the open letter written about The Times’s review of KPOP and quickly convened a discussion among editors and members of our standards department,” the statement said. “This group was in agreement that Jesse’s review was fair. More importantly, we wholly disagree with the argument that Jesse’s criticism is somehow racist. We always welcome feedback and reaction to our journalism, and have conveyed a similar reply to the producers who wrote the open letter.”
AsAmNews is published by the non-profit, Asian American Media Inc.
We are supported through donations and such charitable organizations as the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. This holiday season, double your impact by making a tax-deductible donation to Asian American Media Inc and AsAmNews. Less than $4,000 remains in matching grant funds. Donate today to double your impact and bring us closer to our goal of $38,000 by year-end.
Please also follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube and X.
