‘KPOP’ to play pre-Broadway engagement in Washington D.C.

The musical, inspired by the rise in popularity of Korean pop music is part of Signature Theatre's upcoming season.

UPDATE: KPOP has canceled its pre-Broadway engagement in Washington, D.C. due to concerns over the pandemic. The production is still aiming to play on Broadway at a later date. 

A pre-Broadway engagement for a new musical based on Korean pop music will take place later this year. Simply named KPOP, the new musical is part of the upcoming season for Signature Theatre in Washington D.C. KPOP runs from December 2021 - January 2022, ahead of a potential Broadway transfer.

KPOP is inspired by the meteoric rise in popularity of Korean pop music bands including BTS and Blackpink. KPOP follows a music group as they put everything on the line for a concert. But, one singer's struggle threatens to ruin their chances of fame, and their future relationship with their music label.

KPOP features a book by Jason Kim, with music and lyrics by Helen Park and Max Vernon. Teddy Bergman directs, with choreography by Jennifer Weber. A full creative team, as well as casting are to be announced. An open casting call was publicized in April 2020.

KPOP premiered at Ars Nova in New York in 2017, with the world premiere production winning three Lucilel Lortel Awards including Outstanding Musical. The KPOP cast included Ashley Park as MwE and Jason Tam as Epic.

The upcoming KPOP run in Washington D.C. is a pre-Broadway engagement, with exact dates to be confirmed. Further details for the future of KPOP on Broadway are to be announced.

^{Photo: KPOP musical (Photo by Ben Arons)}