“Koreaboo” examines the fraught relationship between mothers and daughters who have been estranged and then seek to repair the rift. It is based on the playwright’s story of being a Korean baby adopted by an Australian couple and raised in Newcastle. She tries to find her birth mother, and then to reconnect with her. It shows both sides of the story. There’s a word in Korean – Koreaboo – which refers to non‑Koreans who are intensely obsessed with Korean pop culture.
It’s hilarious. The audience can see the funny side of a mother seeking to retain her image of herself as one who “does the right thing” and the daughter who insists on imposing her values and expectations on the relationship. This play is written and acted by Michelle Lim Davidson as Hannah, the daughter from Newcastle, and Heather Jeong as Soon Hee, the mother. It’s a two-woman show.
Both characters are talented. Both have dreams unfulfilled. Both are making an effort that is invisible to each other, but not to the audience.
They finally connect through the classic K- pop songs – too many for me to keep up with. The creative team has described this as a “lucky dip” K‑pop playlist rather than a fixed soundtrack, and the specific tracks can vary by season and venue. The two communicate in English through these songs and the dialogue in “Sex in the City” and other common television shows.
The story is multidimensional and multicultural. At one performance, it’s difficult to fully appreciate the messages for the Korean as well as the Australian audience.
The high point was the mother’s rendition of a classic Korean song “Arirang”. She drew all eyes to her. Her voice was clear and the song haunting. The song is a symbol of Korean reunification, and its inclusion shows the script’s cultural depth. (‘Arirang’ is also the name of the K-Pop group BTS’s latest album.)
There are some laugh-out-loud lines, which I won’t share. The set brings the whole story together. It’s normal. It’s the local corner shop, but in Korea. And the props just make the story so much more real.
You are in luck. On Thursday 17th September at 11 am, there is a “pay what you can” performance. At La Boite until Saturday 19th September. Book here: https://tickets.laboite.com.au/koreaboo-2026/
Enjoy La Boite’s last offering for 2026 and look forward to another fascinating program in 2027.
Recommended to all.
Kerry McGovern
