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Playwright Park Chun-hyu and composer Will Aronson, who won Best Book and Best Score, pose with lead actor Darren Criss, winner of Best Actor in a Musical, after Maybe Happy Ending won six awards at the 78th Tony Awards held at Radio City Music Hall in New York on June 8. / Source: Reuters-Yonhap

The Korean original musical Maybe Happy Ending made history on June 8 (local time), winning six categories—including Best Musical—at the 78th Annual Tony Awards held at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

Maybe Happy Ending won the top honor of Best Musical, along with Best Book, Best Score (Lyrics & Composition), Best Scenic Design, Best Direction, and Best Actor in a Musical. Its six awards marked the highest number of wins for any production at this year’s Tonys.

The musical had been nominated in 10 categories, tying for most nominations alongside Buena Vista Social Club and Death Becomes Her. Though it fell short in some technical categories—such as Orchestrations, Costume Design, Lighting Design, and Sound Design—its broad nominations underscored the work's artistic excellence.

Set in the near future, the musical follows two helper robots, Oliver and Claire, as they fall in love. It was co-created by writer Park Chun-hyu and composer Will Aronson.

Maybe Happy Ending premiered in 2016 in a 300-seat theater in Daehangno, Seoul. It was later translated into English and opened officially at the Belasco Theatre on Broadway in November last year.

While the Korean adaptation of The Great Gatsby won Best Costume Design at last year’s Tonys, and CJ ENM co-produced the non-original Moulin Rouge! (which swept 10 Tonys in 2021), Maybe Happy Ending is the first fully Korean original musical to premiere in Korea, move to Broadway, and win a Tony Award.