“The end is not the most important part.” – Oliver the robot
“Maybe Happy Ending” debuted in Seoul in 2016, and since its arrival in New York last year, it has become a beloved sleeper hit; one that many critics predict will snag a Tony for Best Musical. Ranking #7 in the theater capacity rankings last week, “Maybe Happy Ending” has become one of the most popular shows on Broadway.
A clever four-man show about robots living in Seoul may sound only vaguely intriguing. But prepare to be transported into a universe where robots show you what it means to be human. A fifth character listed in the credits is HwaBoon, the main character’s potted plant that becomes so much more than a mere prop.
Set in 2060s Seoul, the musical follows two obsolete helper robots who discover companionship and a sense of purpose in a world that has moved on without them. It’s a tender, quietly profound exploration of connection in the age of obsolescence—a theme that resonates deeply in our tech-dominated era.
Every great show feels magical in some way, and this one is no exception. One of the reasons why “Maybe Happy Ending” feels this way is because it’s a truly original musical, offering a uniquely captivating story, along with music and lyrics that feel completely new. This kind of excitement was perhaps last felt when audiences saw “La La Land” and marveled at the modernization of the musical theater tradition. Born of a uniquely Korean sensibility, “Maybe Happy Ending” sparkles with authenticity.
Korean American Hue Park was working in Seoul when he came up with the story and convinced his friend and fellow classmate from NYU, Will Aronson, to collaborate with him on the show. The subtle cultural nuances embedded within speak to its Korean origins, yet the music by Aronson and the lyrics, crafted by Aronson and Park, celebrate the best of Western musical theater.
Both the lighting and stage production received impressive makeovers for the Broadway production. However, the show’s true charm lies not in any grandiose set pieces or flashy choreography, but in the simple sincerity of its storytelling.
The robots, Oliver and Claire, delightfully played by Darren Criss and Helen Shen, become vessels for exploring human fears: irrelevance, loneliness, and the search for meaning beyond a programmed existence. The third main actor is Korean American Marcus Choi, who plays all the human characters in the show. Most recently seen playing George Washington in the megahit “Hamilton”, Choi beautifully displays his versatility and range throughout the show.
Marcus Choi and Darren Criss in “Maybe Happy Ending”, Belasco Theater, NYC 2025
And as if there’s anything that could make this show even better, there are swoon-worthy jazz standards sung enchantingly by Dez Duron.
Though we humans know too well that everything ends eventually, it can take a robot to teach us that the end is usually not the most important part. “Maybe Happy Ending” has a thoughtful, reflective grace that, in a world dominated by consumption and screens, asks its audience to reconnect with the quieter parts of ourselves.
“Maybe Happy Ending” is playing now at the Belasco Theater, 111 W 44th Street, New York, NY.
