Theatre Review: KPOP IS A MUST HAVE Experience IN NYC
KPOP has to be one of the best musicals currently in the NYC. It is the happier, even more political version of Sleep No More, which has also captivated NYC. The interactive extravaganza is a deep look into the pressures of rising to stardom, and racial barriers that must be crossed to attain it. As the musical notes, Korean Pop music is one of the most lucrative genres to exist internationally, and the U.S. is not to fond of it.
I love KPOP, and laughed hard at KPOP’s perfect rendering of this magnificently, machined world. This is more than a genre, it is a factory, of which the musical is three floors of interactive stages, rooms, and characters eager to be stars, but feeling dimmed by the rigor to become one. You had characters like Tiny D (played deliciously sarcastically by Katie Lee Hill), who was being pushed to get plastic surgery to either look more American or more Korean, but you CANNOT HAVE BOTH! This is a theme that runs through the 2 hour 30 minute experience to end on a question; Do you crossover to America or does America crossover to you? The uniqueness and weightiness of this question seems perfect for the U.S. current political climate, of which the heat is forcing it to acknowledge that it is the most diverse nation, but does it truly celebrates this fact or try to diminish it? Enter characters like Callie ( played by sparkling intelligence by Sun Hye Park) or Oracle (played with stern strength by Jinwoo Jung) whom consistently battle to show that the best of Korean culture and music should be taken as such, and not changed for American markets. Yet, these arguments are not just made with each other; they are made to and with the audience, as well. Race, loyalty, and social definitions/ pressures are discussed with the audience to their delight, eagerness, and discomfort. The audience is constantly divided into groups that are each meeting different members of the JTM Entertainment, (presented as the biggest KPOP record label and avid on receiving the crowd’s feedback on how to make it in America).
It is hard to say who will be your favorite character of KPOP because you each viewer will have, at least, one personal interaction with a character. I had the luxury to hang out with BOBO; the God- loving member of F8 suffering from depression since the band went from 5 to 8, but positive the Lord has a better plan. Thus, I felt a loyalty to him, and you will feel a sense of loyalty to whomever crosses your path. You find yourself down when you see them scolded by JTM’s President Moon (James Saito) or his wife Ruby (Vanessa Kai). These two are the parents of JTM, and you cannot hate them for their coldness because they truly want their artists’ success, but at what cost? Does fortune outweigh fun? Is material success happiness? These questions pervade in an awkward listening party/ fight between solo-sensation MWE (Understudy Marina Kondo) and rising solo-artist Sonoma (Julia Abueva). These two have VOICES that make you want to hold them as they confront the fears that their talent might not be enough of an offering to the world. With so much phenomenal dancing and music that embodies happiness, KPOP succeeds in turning all corners, no matter what, back to the most important topic today: race.
The Amazing Cast of KPOP
Again, you must see KPOP. It revitalizing in both sound, style, and approach of tense topics. Moreover, you learn so much of yourself and your fellow humankind by seeing everyone’s reactions. I was surprised to hear certain audience members’ response to cultural questions, and beliefs on what should or should be done to resolve tensions. In an odd way, KPOP has revived a discussion that now feels drawn and too hot for cool heads to prevail. Thus, for a good time and a wising experience Click Here To Buy KPOP tickets until its run ends on October 21.
Location: ARS NOVA 511 WEST 54TH ST NEW YORK NY 10019
KPOP runs 2 hours 30 minutes, with one intermission.
Special Applause Must Go To The Creative Team For Making The Spectacular First Korean Pop Musical Ever:
CONCEIVED BY WOODSHED COLLECTIVE + JASON KIM
BOOK BY JASON KIM
MUSIC & LYRICS BY HELEN PARK + MAX VERNON
IMMERSIVE DESIGN BY WOODSHED COLLECTIVE
CHOREOGRAPHED BY JENNIFER WEBER
DIRECTED BY TEDDY BERGMAN
