Korean Musical 'Maybe Happy Ending' Dominates 2025 Tony Awards with Six Wins

The Korean original musical 'Maybe Happy Ending' (어쩌면 해피엔딩) made history at the 78th Tony Awards in 2025, winning an impressive six awards, including Best Musical. The ceremony took place on June 8, 2025, in New York City, where the show also secured wins for Best Book, Best Original Score, Best Direction of a Musical, Best Scenic Design, and Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical.

Darren Criss, who played the role of Oliver, received the award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical for his nuanced emotional portrayal. Notably, playwright Park Chan-hyuk became the first Korean creator to win a Tony Award, with the musical being nominated in ten categories and taking home six trophies.

This marks a groundbreaking achievement as it is the first time a Korean-language musical has won multiple major awards at the Tonys, a significant milestone for the Korean theater scene.

'Maybe Happy Ending' has captivated audiences in South Korea since its premiere in 2016, telling the story of a helper robot named Oliver and Claire, who discover the profound emotion of love. The cast includes Jeong Moon-sung, Jeon Mi-do, and Park Jin-joo.

After its success in South Korea, 'Maybe Happy Ending' toured in Atlanta, USA, before making its Broadway debut in 2024. Prior to the Tony Awards, the musical had already garnered accolades from the 2025 Outer Critics Circle Awards and the 89th New York Drama Critics Circle, significantly elevating the status of K-musicals on Broadway.

The six Tony wins for 'Maybe Happy Ending' not only excite the Korean arts community but also signal a new chapter for K-musicals, thrilling fans worldwide.