Sydney Reviews

Hitting the sweet spot in a corner shop, Koreaboo is a theatrical pleasure, pure and simple.

Written by and starring Michelle Lim Davidson, Koreaboo takes its name from the term used to describe someone, often a non-Korean, who is overly enthusiastic abut Korean culture, captivated by K pop, kimchi and hanbok, that can sometimes border on obsession.

Stepping into the theatre space we are transported to a specific place, a virtual reality made forensically, fluorescently physical. Mel Page’s set design is a replica of a Korean convenience store replete with packets of Koala’s March, kimchi, instant noodles and a fridge full of fizz and assorted cordials.

It also features gnomes placed prominently or secreted into the shelves, an idiosyncratic fetish of the shop’s proprietor, Soon Hee.

Into this bright cave of commerce comes Hannah, Korean born, Newcastle raised, Sydney based, to connect with her birth mother, Soon Hee. It is an awkward encounter, no bullshit gushing reality TV prefab sentimental pseudo sincerity.

Soon Hee is a tough cookie. She says to Hannah “You spend all your life trying to remember me, and I spend all of mine trying to forget. I need time.”

But over time, Hannah and Soon Hee bond over K Pop with Soon Hee securing Hannah a spot on Star Power, a nationally televised talent quest, and an excuse to adorn themselves in some wild K fashion.

Directed by Jessica Arthur, Koreaboo illustrates what a tyro talent Michelle Lim Davidson is. Her writing, sourced from personal experience, is whip smart witty, emotionally open and deliciously bi lingual, with broken Korean and fractured English playing nicely into the comedy.

And her performance is delightful, rich in hope and despair, busting moves in K choreography, always a silver lining against dark clouds of disappointment.

Beautifully matched as her foil, Heather Jeong enjoys playing offence and defence in an oscillating game of reconciliation between Umma and daughter.

Heart breaking, heart warming, wholeheartedly entertaining, Koreaboo is a shining shared experience that shows that mart is where the heart is.