Maybe Happy Ending
Updated: 12/11/2025, 2:53:03 AM Wikipedia source
Maybe Happy Ending (Korean: 어쩌면 해피엔딩; RR: Eojjeomyeon haepiending) is a South Korean musical with lyrics written by Hue Park, music composed by Will Aronson, and book written by both Park and Aronson. The musical, which is performed without intermission, follows two human-like helper-bots, Oliver and Claire, who discover each other in Seoul later in the 21st century and develop a connection that challenges what they believe is possible for themselves, exploring relationships, love and mortality. Directed by Kim Dong-yeon, Maybe Happy Ending had its premiere in Seoul at Lifeway Hall in DCF Daemyung Cultural Factory in 2016 to positive critical reviews. At the Korea Musical Awards, it was nominated for, and won, six awards, including Best Musical: Small Theatre, Music, Lyrics and Book. The musical also won four awards at the Yegreen Musical Awards including Musical of the Year and Music (Aronson). Maybe Happy Ending has been revived several times in Korea and internationally, including a Broadway production that opened in 2024 with another positive critical reception. It tied for a leading ten nominations at the 78th Tony Awards and won six, including Best Musical, Best Book and Best Score. It also won six Drama Desk Awards.
Infobox
Music
Will Aronson
Lyrics
Hue Park Will Aronson
Book
Hue Park Will Aronson
Productions
mw- 2016 Seoul 2020 Atlanta US 2024 Broadway
Awards
Korea Musical Award – Best Musical: Small Theater (2018) Tony Award for Best Musical Tony Award for Best Original Score Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical
Hangul
어쩌면 해피엔딩
RR
Eojjeomyeon haepiending
MR
Ŏtchŏmyŏn haep'iending
Tables
· Casts
2016
2016
Character
2016
Seoul
2024
Oliver
Oliver
Character
Oliver
Seoul
Jung Uk-jin
Broadway
Darren Criss
Jung Moon-sung
Jung Moon-sung
Character
Jung Moon-sung
Kim Jae-bum
Kim Jae-bum
Character
Kim Jae-bum
Claire
Claire
Character
Claire
Seoul
Jeon Mi-do
Broadway
Helen J. Shen
Choi Soo-jin
Choi Soo-jin
Character
Choi Soo-jin
James/Junseo/others
James/Junseo/others
Character
James/Junseo/others
Seoul
Go Hoon-jung
Broadway
Marcus Choi
Seong Jong-wan
Seong Jong-wan
Character
Seong Jong-wan
Gil Brentley
Gil Brentley
Character
Gil Brentley
Seoul
—
Broadway
Dez Duron
Suhan
Suhan
Character
Suhan
Seoul
—
Broadway
Young Mazino
Jiyeon
Jiyeon
Character
Jiyeon
Seoul
—
Broadway
Arden Cho
HwaBoon
HwaBoon
Character
HwaBoon
Seoul
N/A
Broadway
Himself
| Character | Seoul | Broadway |
| 2016 | 2024 | |
| Oliver | Jung Uk-jin | Darren Criss |
| Jung Moon-sung | ||
| Kim Jae-bum | ||
| Claire | Jeon Mi-do | Helen J. Shen |
| Choi Soo-jin | ||
| James/Junseo/others | Go Hoon-jung | Marcus Choi |
| Seong Jong-wan | ||
| Gil Brentley | — | Dez Duron |
| Suhan | — | Young Mazino |
| Jiyeon | — | Arden Cho |
| HwaBoon | N/A | Himself |
List of awards · Awards and nominations
6th Yegreen Musical Award
6th Yegreen Musical Award
Award ceremony
6th Yegreen Musical Award
Year
2017
Category
Musical of the Year (small theatre)
Winner
Maybe Happy Ending
Result
Won
Music Award
Music Award
Award ceremony
Music Award
Year
Will Aronson
Category
Won
Female Popularity Award
Female Popularity Award
Award ceremony
Female Popularity Award
Year
Jeon Mi-do
Category
Won
Best Director
Best Director
Award ceremony
Best Director
Year
Kim Dong-yeon
Category
Won
Richard Rodgers Award by the American Academy of Arts and Letters
Richard Rodgers Award by the American Academy of Arts and Letters
Award ceremony
Richard Rodgers Award by the American Academy of Arts and Letters
Year
2017
Category
Production Award
Winner
What I Learned from People (early English version of Maybe Happy Ending)
Result
Won
2nd Korea Musical Awards
2nd Korea Musical Awards
Award ceremony
2nd Korea Musical Awards
Year
2018
Category
Best Musical: Small Theater
Winner
Maybe Happy Ending
Result
Won
Screenwriter/Lyricist
Screenwriter/Lyricist
Award ceremony
Screenwriter/Lyricist
Year
Hue Park & Will Aronson
Category
Won
Composer
Composer
Award ceremony
Composer
Year
Will Aronson
Category
Won
Best Actress
Best Actress
Award ceremony
Best Actress
Year
Jeon Mi-do
Category
Won
Best Director
Best Director
Award ceremony
Best Director
Year
Kim Dong-yeon
Category
Won
8th E-Daily Culture Awards
8th E-Daily Culture Awards
Award ceremony
8th E-Daily Culture Awards
Year
2021
Category
Grand Prize
Winner
Maybe Happy Ending
Result
Won
New York Drama Critics' Circle Award
New York Drama Critics' Circle Award
Award ceremony
New York Drama Critics' Circle Award
Year
2025
Category
Best Musical
Winner
Will Aronson and Hue Park
Result
Won
Drama Desk Awards
Drama Desk Awards
Award ceremony
Drama Desk Awards
Year
2025
Category
Outstanding Musical
Winner
Maybe Happy Ending
Result
Won
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical
Award ceremony
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical
Year
Darren Criss
Category
Nominated
Helen J. Shen
Helen J. Shen
Award ceremony
Helen J. Shen
Year
Nominated
Outstanding Director of a Musical
Outstanding Director of a Musical
Award ceremony
Outstanding Director of a Musical
Year
Michael Arden
Category
Won
Outstanding Music
Outstanding Music
Award ceremony
Outstanding Music
Year
Will Aronson and Hue Park
Category
Won
Outstanding Lyrics
Outstanding Lyrics
Award ceremony
Outstanding Lyrics
Year
Won
Outstanding Book of a Musical
Outstanding Book of a Musical
Award ceremony
Outstanding Book of a Musical
Year
Won
Outstanding Orchestrations
Outstanding Orchestrations
Award ceremony
Outstanding Orchestrations
Year
Will Aronson
Category
Nominated
Outstanding Scenic Design of a Musical
Outstanding Scenic Design of a Musical
Award ceremony
Outstanding Scenic Design of a Musical
Year
Dane Laffrey and George Reeve (includes video design)
Category
Won
Drama League Awards
Drama League Awards
Award ceremony
Drama League Awards
Year
Outstanding Production of a Musical
Category
Maybe Happy Ending
Winner
Won
Outstanding Direction of a Musical
Outstanding Direction of a Musical
Award ceremony
Outstanding Direction of a Musical
Year
Michael Arden
Category
Won
Distinguished Performance
Distinguished Performance
Award ceremony
Distinguished Performance
Year
Darren Criss
Category
Nominated
Helen J. Shen
Helen J. Shen
Award ceremony
Helen J. Shen
Year
Nominated
Outer Critics Circle Awards
Outer Critics Circle Awards
Award ceremony
Outer Critics Circle Awards
Year
Outstanding New Broadway Musical
Category
Maybe Happy Ending
Winner
Won
Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Musical
Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Musical
Award ceremony
Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Musical
Year
Darren Criss
Category
Nominated
Outstanding Book of a Musical
Outstanding Book of a Musical
Award ceremony
Outstanding Book of a Musical
Year
Will Aronson and Hue Park
Category
Won
Outstanding New Score
Outstanding New Score
Award ceremony
Outstanding New Score
Year
Won
Outstanding Orchestrations
Outstanding Orchestrations
Award ceremony
Outstanding Orchestrations
Year
Will Aronson
Category
Nominated
Outstanding Direction of a Musical
Outstanding Direction of a Musical
Award ceremony
Outstanding Direction of a Musical
Year
Michael Arden
Category
Won
Outstanding Scenic Design
Outstanding Scenic Design
Award ceremony
Outstanding Scenic Design
Year
Dane Laffrey
Category
Nominated
Outstanding Lighting Design
Outstanding Lighting Design
Award ceremony
Outstanding Lighting Design
Year
Ben Stanton
Category
Nominated
Outstanding Sound Design
Outstanding Sound Design
Award ceremony
Outstanding Sound Design
Year
Peter Hylenski
Category
Nominated
Tony Awards
Tony Awards
Award ceremony
Tony Awards
Year
Best Musical
Category
Maybe Happy Ending
Winner
Won
Best Book of a Musical
Best Book of a Musical
Award ceremony
Best Book of a Musical
Year
Will Aronson and Hue Park
Category
Won
Best Original Score
Best Original Score
Award ceremony
Best Original Score
Year
Won
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical
Award ceremony
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical
Year
Darren Criss
Category
Won
Best Scenic Design of a Musical
Best Scenic Design of a Musical
Award ceremony
Best Scenic Design of a Musical
Year
Dane Laffrey and George Reeve
Category
Won
Best Costume Design of a Musical
Best Costume Design of a Musical
Award ceremony
Best Costume Design of a Musical
Year
Clint Ramos
Category
Nominated
Best Lighting Design of a Musical
Best Lighting Design of a Musical
Award ceremony
Best Lighting Design of a Musical
Year
Ben Stanton
Category
Nominated
Best Sound Design of a Musical
Best Sound Design of a Musical
Award ceremony
Best Sound Design of a Musical
Year
Peter Hylenski
Category
Nominated
Best Direction of a Musical
Best Direction of a Musical
Award ceremony
Best Direction of a Musical
Year
Michael Arden
Category
Won
Best Orchestrations
Best Orchestrations
Award ceremony
Best Orchestrations
Year
Will Aronson
Category
Nominated
| Award ceremony | Year | Category | Winner | Result | Ref. |
| 6th Yegreen Musical Award | 2017 | Musical of the Year (small theatre) | Maybe Happy Ending | Won | |
| Music Award | Will Aronson | Won | |||
| Female Popularity Award | Jeon Mi-do | Won | |||
| Best Director | Kim Dong-yeon | Won | |||
| Richard Rodgers Award by the American Academy of Arts and Letters | 2017 | Production Award | What I Learned from People (early English version of Maybe Happy Ending) | Won | |
| 2nd Korea Musical Awards | 2018 | Best Musical: Small Theater | Maybe Happy Ending | Won | |
| Screenwriter/Lyricist | Hue Park & Will Aronson | Won | |||
| Composer | Will Aronson | Won | |||
| Best Actress | Jeon Mi-do | Won | |||
| Best Director | Kim Dong-yeon | Won | |||
| 8th E-Daily Culture Awards | 2021 | Grand Prize | Maybe Happy Ending | Won | |
| New York Drama Critics' Circle Award | 2025 | Best Musical | Will Aronson and Hue Park | Won | |
| Drama Desk Awards | 2025 | Outstanding Musical | Maybe Happy Ending | Won | |
| Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical | Darren Criss | Nominated | |||
| Helen J. Shen | Nominated | ||||
| Outstanding Director of a Musical | Michael Arden | Won | |||
| Outstanding Music | Will Aronson and Hue Park | Won | |||
| Outstanding Lyrics | Won | ||||
| Outstanding Book of a Musical | Won | ||||
| Outstanding Orchestrations | Will Aronson | Nominated | |||
| Outstanding Scenic Design of a Musical | Dane Laffrey and George Reeve (includes video design) | Won | |||
| Drama League Awards | Outstanding Production of a Musical | Maybe Happy Ending | Won | ||
| Outstanding Direction of a Musical | Michael Arden | Won | |||
| Distinguished Performance | Darren Criss | Nominated | |||
| Helen J. Shen | Nominated | ||||
| Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding New Broadway Musical | Maybe Happy Ending | Won | ||
| Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Musical | Darren Criss | Nominated | |||
| Outstanding Book of a Musical | Will Aronson and Hue Park | Won | |||
| Outstanding New Score | Won | ||||
| Outstanding Orchestrations | Will Aronson | Nominated | |||
| Outstanding Direction of a Musical | Michael Arden | Won | |||
| Outstanding Scenic Design | Dane Laffrey | Nominated | |||
| Outstanding Lighting Design | Ben Stanton | Nominated | |||
| Outstanding Sound Design | Peter Hylenski | Nominated | |||
| Tony Awards | Best Musical | Maybe Happy Ending | Won | ||
| Best Book of a Musical | Will Aronson and Hue Park | Won | |||
| Best Original Score | Won | ||||
| Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical | Darren Criss | Won | |||
| Best Scenic Design of a Musical | Dane Laffrey and George Reeve | Won | |||
| Best Costume Design of a Musical | Clint Ramos | Nominated | |||
| Best Lighting Design of a Musical | Ben Stanton | Nominated | |||
| Best Sound Design of a Musical | Peter Hylenski | Nominated | |||
| Best Direction of a Musical | Michael Arden | Won | |||
| Best Orchestrations | Will Aronson | Nominated |
References
- Seeya Stage selects performance and exhibition personnel who have participated in programs of the Wooran Foundation. It
- Gil Brentley is an expanded version of the jazz singer character that is part of the James/Multi-man role in the Korean
- A character only seen through prerecorded projections.
- Hwaboon is a generic plant in the Korean production and an Aeonium Black Rose tree in the Broadway production. The Broad
- In place of "Old Love Songs" (낡고 익숙한 사랑 노래; lit. An Old and Familiar Love Song), a different song performed by the jazz
- In place of a song called "Driving" where Oliver and Claire describe their drive to Jeju Island through the Jeju Underse
- In place of a wordless vocal duet called "Home Again".
- In place of two songs depicting Oliver and Claire's relationship: "First Time in Love", depicting the start of their rom
- In place of "You Can Remember That" (그것만은 기억해도 돼); Claire gives Oliver permission to keep the memory of where to place h
- The Dong-A Ilbohttps://www.donga.com/en/article/all/20210701/2761810/1
- Playbillhttps://playbill.com/article/tony-awards-2025-live-updating
- "2025 Drama Desk Award Winners"https://www.dramadeskaward.com/winners
- American Theatrehttps://www.americantheatre.org/2020/01/17/with-robot-love-from-korea/
- Maybe Happy Endinghttps://www.themusical.co.kr/Magazine/Detail?num=2546
- Maybe Happy Endinghttps://www.themusical.co.kr/Magazine/Detail?num=3949
- Maybe Happy Endinghttps://www.themusical.co.kr/Magazine/Detail?num=3948
- www.wooranfdn.orghttp://www.wooranfdn.org/
- The New York Timeshttps://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/08/theater/maybe-happy-ending-broadway-criss.html
- "Musical wins 2017 Richard Rodgers Award – American Academy of Arts and Letters"https://artsandletters.org/pressrelease/musical-wins-richard-rodgers-award/
- Maybe Happy Endinghttps://www.youtube.com/live/z_D-DZxsNKo?si=TUCOv9Vs9PSwZevE
- Reddithttps://www.reddit.com/r/Broadway/comments/1gva2c6/comment/ly08fhd/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button
- Life of Despairhttps://www.ize.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=25691
- Maybe Happy Endinghttps://www.wabe.org/who-says-robots-dont-know-how-to-love-maybe-happy-ending-says-otherwise
- Maybe Happy Endinghttps://playbill.com/production/maybe-happy-ending-broadway-belasco-theatre-2024
- Maybe Happy Endinghttps://www.koreatimes.co.kr/lifestyle/arts-theater/20250909/maybe-happy-ending-returns-to-seoul-in-october-after-broadway-triumph
- Maybe Happy Endinghttp://ticket.interpark.com/Ticket/Goods/GoodsInfo.asp?GoodsCode=16013776
- Maybe Happy Endinghttps://www.themusical.co.kr/News/Detail?num=8495
- Maybe Happy Endinghttps://www.themusical.co.kr/Magazine/Detail?num=3051
- Maybe Happy Endinghttps://www.themusical.co.kr/News/Detail?num=9003
- Maybe Happy Endinghttps://www.mhns.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=33962
- Maybe a Happy Endinghttps://m.edaily.co.kr/news/read?mediaCodeNo=257&newsId=01141446616062744
- Maybe Happy Endinghttps://www.themusical.co.kr/News/Detail?num=9365
- Maybe Happy Endinghttps://www.viva100.com/main/view.php?key=20170614010004785
- Maybe Happy Endinghttp://www.newsculture.press/news/articleView.html?idxno=71808
- Maybe Happy Endinghttps://www.newdaily.co.kr/site/data/html/2018/09/17/2018091700021.html
- Maybe Happy Endinghttp://www.m-i.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=746036
- Maybe Happy Endinghttps://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/art/2022/12/690_292680.html
- Maybe Happy Endinghttps://wowtv.co.kr/NewsCenter/News/Read?articleId=A202105060336
- 스타데일리뉴스http://www.stardailynews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=306710
- Maybe Happy Endinghttps://www.mk.co.kr/en/hot-issues/11008650
- No Cut Newshttps://www.nocutnews.co.kr/news/5644359
- TV Dailyhttps://www.tvdaily.co.kr/read.php3?aid=17618769331767810002
- BroadwayWorldhttps://www.broadwayworld.com/cabaret/article/Kate-Wetherhead-to-Host-NAMTs-SONGWRITERS-SHOWCASE-Cabaret-Lineup-Complete-20161024
- What I Learned from Peoplehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktd8y7NcjZw
- What I Learned from Peoplehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4T_l3CfJqw
- Maybe Happy Endinghttps://www.willaronson.com/maybe-happy-ending-music
- Maybe Happy Endinghttps://www.alliancetheatre.org/production/2019-20/maybe-happy-ending
- Maybe Happy Endinghttps://alliancetheatre.org/content/5-reasons-see-maybe-happy-ending
- Maybe Happy Endinghttps://emorywheel.com/romance-and-mortality-collide-in-new-sci-fi-musical-maybe-happy-ending
- Maybe Happy Endinghttps://playbill.com/article/watch-kenny-tran-and-cathy-ang-sing-my-favorite-love-story-from-maybe-happy-ending-directed-by-michael-arden
- The New York Timeshttps://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/18/theater/atlanta-theater-race.html
- Maybe Happy Endinghttps://playbill.com/article/maybe-happy-ending-opens-on-broadway-november-12
- Maybe Happy Endinghttps://deadline.com/2024/07/maybe-happy-ending-broadway-opening-date-1236014603/
- Maybe Happy Endinghttps://web.archive.org/web/20250610201219/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/10/theater/maybe-happy-ending-tonys-broadway.html
- Maybe Happy Endinghttps://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Review-Roundup-MAYBE-HAPPY-ENDING-Starring-Darren-Criss-and-Helen-J-Shen-20241112
- Maybe Happy Endinghttps://www.vulture.com/article/darren-criss-maybe-happy-ending-broadway-return.html
- BroadwayWorldhttps://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Darren-Criss-Returns-to-MAYBE-HAPPY-ENDING-November-5-20251105
- Maybe Happy Endinghttps://playbill.com/article/andrew-barth-feldman-begins-limited-run-in-broadways-maybe-happy-ending-september-2
- Maybe Happy Endinghttps://playbill.com/article/conrad-ricamora-launches-scholarship-fund-for-asian-actors-following-maybe-happy-ending-casting-controversy
- The New York Timeshttps://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/31/theater/maybe-happy-ending-casting-controversy.html
- Playbillhttps://playbill.com/article/death-becomes-her-leads-2025-outer-critics-circle-award-nominations-read-the-full-list
- Playbillhttps://playbill.com/article/nicole-scherzinger-wins-distinguished-performance-at-2025-drama-league-awards-read-the-full-winners-list
- Maybe Happy Endinghttps://playbill.com/article/broadways-maybe-happy-ending-will-launch-a-national-tour-in-2026
- Maybe Happy Endinghttp://www.tvdaily.co.kr/read.php3?aid=14896216861220611016
- Maybe Happy Endinghttps://www.themusical.co.kr/Magazine/Detail?num=3312
- Maybe Happy Endinghttps://www.themusical.co.kr/News/Detail?num=11522
- Maybe Happy Endinghttps://enterstage.jp/news/2020/03/014391.html
- Maybe Happy Endinghttps://www.tohostage.com/maybe/index.html
- SHINEhttps://www.shine.cn/feature/entertainment/2106301371/
- Maybe Happy Endinghttps://www.smartticket.cn/tickets/maybe_happy_ending
- Maybe Happy Endinghttps://www.themusical.co.kr/Musical/Detail?num=2392
- jimff.orghttps://jimff.org
- Maybe Happy Endinghttps://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20251001005800315
- KBS Newshttps://news.kbs.co.kr/mobile/news/view.do?ncd=3573639
- Maybe Happy Endinghttp://enter.etoday.co.kr/view/news_view.php?varAtcId=127351
- Maybe Happy Endinghttp://www.sctoday.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=25635
- Maybe Happy Endinghttps://www.dnews.co.kr/m_home/view.jsp?idxno=202110201705557430620
- Maybe Happy Endinghttps://playbill.com/article/maybe-happy-ending-purpose-win-new-york-drama-critics-circle-awards-see-the-full-list-of-winners
- Buena Vista Social Clubhttps://playbill.com/article/tony-nominations-2025