Last night, November 20 ’22, history was made on Broadway as the musical sensation KPOP marked their opening celebration, ahead of the show’s official opening night on November 27. Featuring 18 Broadway debuts, KPOP is the first Broadway musical to celebrate Korean culture with Korean, Korean-American, and AAPI representation on and off-stage, including composer Helen Park, who is the first female Asian composer on Broadway. KPOP is the first completely original musical on Broadway this year, now playing at Circle in the Square Theatre.

On hand for the celebratory occasion were Bowen Yang, Lea Salonga, Judith Light, Telly Leung, Conrad Ricamora, Daniel K. Isaac, Minnie Mills, Katrina Lenk, Phillipa Soo, Steven Pasquale, Orfeh, Andrew Barth Feldman, Celia Keenan-Bolger, Greg Hildreth, and many more.

Starring K-pop super star Luna as MwE, KPOP is directed by Teddy Bergman, features a book by Jason Kim; choreography by Jennifer Weber; music, lyrics, music production and arrangements by Helen Park; and music and lyrics by Max Vernon.

Helen Park

In addition to LunaKPOP stars Julia AbuevaBoHyung (from the K-pop group SPICA and half of the duo KEEMBO), Major CurdaJinwoo JungJiho KangAmy KeumJames KhoMarina Kondo, Eddy LeeJoshua Lee, Jully LeeLina Rose LeeTimothy H. LeeAbraham LimMin (from the K-pop group Miss A), Kate Mina LinAubie MerryleesPatrick ParkZachary Noah Piser, Kevin Woo (from the K-pop group U-KISS), and John Yi.

Photos: Emilio Madrid