Photography by Maggie Hall, produced by CHUANG Stage and Seoulful Productions at Boston Center for the Arts.
NEW YORK – Zoë Kim’s Did You Eat? (밥 먹었니?) continues its successful run at The Public Theater after receiving a one-week extension through November 16. The production began previews on October 14 with a Joseph Papp Free Performance and officially opens on October 24 at The Public’s Shiva Theater.
Written and performed by Kim, Did You Eat? presents her story through memories of family, identity, and migration. The phrase “밥 먹었니?” or “Did you eat?” is more than a greeting in many Korean households. It is an everyday expression of care and familiarity, a question that holds the weight of love and routine.
The performance shows Kim taking on the voices of her family, portraying scenes of childhood, meals, and personal growth. The tone remains steady and direct, supported by direction from Chris Yejin and choreography by Iris McCloughan. Together, they build an honest portrayal of how family shapes one’s understanding of self.
The set design by Tanya Orellana is clear and simple, allowing focus on Kim’s movement and words. Harriet Jung’s costumes and Minjoo Kim’s lighting provide definition and rhythm. Tae Jong Park’s sound design and Yee Eun Nam’s projections add background without distraction. Each element supports the story without overwhelming it.
Kim describes Did You Eat? as the first part of her “Hunger Trilogy,” which examines hunger in emotional, physical, and spiritual forms. She says the work reflects her effort to understand what it means to live between cultures and how memory connects people to their origins.
The production is part of Ma-Yi Theater Company’s new residency at The Public Theater. Ma-Yi’s Producing Artistic Director Ralph B. Peña says the collaboration continues a long partnership between the two institutions. “Zoë’s story adds another chapter to how Asian American artists define their experiences on stage,” he notes.
Ma-Yi Theater Company has been producing Asian American works since 1989. Past productions include Teenage Dick by Mike Lew, The Chinese Lady by Lloyd Suh, and SUMO by Lisa Sanaye Dring. The residency will continue next year with Jeena Yi’s JESA, running from March 10 to April 5, 2026.
Audience response to Did You Eat? has been strong. Many viewers recognize familiar moments from their own lives, especially in the ways families express care through small gestures. The play does not rely on sentiment. It relies on clarity, memory, and lived experience.
Performances continue through November 16 at The Public’s Shiva Theater. Showtimes are Tuesday through Sunday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 1:30 p.m. Tickets are available at publictheater.org or by calling 212.967.7555.
The production includes special access dates for open captioned, interpreted, and community performances, including an AAPI Affinity Night on October 30.
Kim’s performance stands as a personal record of family and culture. It presents what is often spoken quietly at the dinner table, now shared clearly on stage.
