By Honorary Reporter Preeti Rawat from India

The Broadway production "Maybe Happy Ending" has swept the awards season this year punctuated with six Tonys. 

The heartwarming tale of two humanoid robots was created by playwright and lyricist Hue Park, whose Korean name is Chun-hue, and composer Will Aronson. Debuting in Korea in 2016 and opening at New York's Belasco Theater in November last year, the production has earned acclaim from critics and audiences alike.

Claire Kwon (left in front row) on June 8 poses with the cast and crew of "Maybe Happy Ending" at the Tony Awards held at Radio City Music Hall in New York. (Rebecca J. Michelson)

Claire Kwon, a Korean American who is a standby in the show, joined the cast in January this year and made her debut on March 19.

The following are excerpts from an email interview with Kwon conducted from June 18 to July 10.

Briefly introduce yourself.
I'm a Korean American whose parents were born and raised in Korea and immigrated to the U.S. before I was born. I grew up in Glen Rock, New Jersey, and attended Bergen County Academies' Academy for Visual and Performing Arts. I later studied at Northwestern University, where I double majored in musical theater and integrated marketing communications.

I made my Broadway debut in "Almost Famous" in 2022 as a swing (offstage performer who understudies multiple roles) covering six roles. I debuted in a (role) I didn't cover at the time, and it was a wild and unforgettable start to my Broadway journey. I've since worked professionally on and off Broadway.

Claire Kwon (third from right) poses with her family. (Claire Kwon)

What inspired you to pursue musical theater?
A childhood passion for music thanks to my mother, who was a piano teacher, helped me overcome shyness. Inspired by movie musicals like "The Sound of Music" and "Mamma Mia" and the experience of performing in a local YMCA production of "The Wizard of Oz," I found musical theater the perfect outlet for my creativity, curiosity and desire to tell stories.

How did you join "Maybe Happy Ending" and how do you feel about playing Claire?
I first read the script and filmed a self-tape about a year before joining the production; this was after I read this beautiful story about two robots falling in love, as I was drawn to its themes and the character Clair. Getting the part felt like affirmation that I was exactly where I was meant to be. It was both surreal and deeply emotional, hence the role mirroring personal experiences of love and loss.

Claire Kwon plays the helper bot Claire in the Broadway musical "Maybe Happy Ending." (Claire Kwon)

How did you prepare for your role?
I spent time diving deep into Claire's emotional journey. I watched Korean versions of the show, studied her musical phrasing, and thought about how her programming shifts as she processes love. I also worked closely with the team to balance her robotic logic with emotional growth.

Any challenges in the process?

Much of the challenge was playing Claire transformation subtly and truthfully, taking into account a physicality that feels natural despite not being fully human. Another challenge was performing such an emotionally layered role while also managing standby responsibilities, which requires being prepared at any moment.

As a Korean American, how does it feel to be in a work originally from Korea?
It's incredibly meaningful to be in a show that celebrates Korean culture, written by Asian and American creators, and set in Seoul; it feels like a dream. It's a huge step forward in representation, and I'm honored to be a part of something that blends Korean and American storytelling so beautifully. 

msjeon22@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.