🎬 Netflix’s Latest Hit? A Demon-Slaying Girl Group!
Kpop Demon Hunters, Netflix’s newest global sensation, mixes K-pop stardom, fierce female leads, and traditional Korean spirits in one epic fantasy animation. Directed by Maggie Kang, the story follows Lumi, Mira, and Joy—K-pop idols by day, demon hunters by night.
🔥 Director Maggie Kang Breaks It Down
In a special interview, director Maggie Kang opens up about the inspiration, challenges, and cultural pride behind the film.
“At first, I didn’t plan to make a K-pop movie,” she says. “I wanted to tell a story deeply rooted in Korean mythology—grim reapers, dokkaebi, water spirits—and then K-pop just naturally fit as the perfect cover for demon hunters.”
🎵 Why TEDDY Joined the Project
Maggie wanted authentic K-pop, not Broadway-style musical numbers. To get that, she turned to legendary producer TEDDY and The Black Label. Their musical style matched the film’s edgy, emotional vibe—and brought the characters to life with real beats.
Also joining: music executive Ian Eisendrath (Wicked, Snow White) and hitmakers who’ve worked with BTS and TWICE. Together, they crafted tracks that feel like true K-pop, ready for the charts.
💃 Gut Rituals Meet Girl Power
The film draws on Korea’s traditional “gut” rituals—spiritual performances using dance and music to fight evil. That idea blended perfectly with the film’s concert scenes.
“Guts were the original concerts,” Kang laughs. “And shamans are usually women, which made the connection even stronger.”
🌎 From Canada to Korea—and Back
Kang was born in Korea and raised in Canada, but always stayed close to Korean culture—watching K-dramas, listening to K-pop, spending summers in Seoul. She studied animation at Sheridan College and later worked at DreamWorks, Warner Animation, and Illumination.
🎨 Visuals Inspired by Every Idol
While the characters weren’t based on any one group, the visual boards were massive—pulling in looks from all over K-pop. The result? Characters that feel familiar but fresh, like an ultimate K-pop dream team.
🐯 Tigers, Magpies, and… Snacks?
The team traveled to Korea to study everything: food, street textures, even how steep Bukchon alleys really are. Every element—from a tiger delivering love letters to the perfect placement of chopsticks on a napkin—was researched to get that authentic Korean feel.
🎤 TWICE & EXO in the Mix
Early on, Kang added EXO and Melomance songs to test scenes—and they worked so well, they made the final cut. TWICE got to pick a song they’d like to perform in the movie and chose “Takedown.” They even promoted the film after watching it themselves!
🌟 Korean Stars Behind the Voices
Actors like Lee Byung-hun, Kim Yunjin, and Ahn Hyo-seop brought the characters to life in the Korean dub. Kang specifically wanted active Korean stars to preserve the authenticity of the culture onscreen.
“Lee Byung-hun was the first Korean actor to break into Hollywood,” she says. “Working with him was a dream.”
💬 The Message Behind the Action
Underneath the cool visuals and music, Kpop Demon Hunters is about fear, vulnerability, and connection.
“We all carry fears that make us feel alone,” Kang shares. “But when we acknowledge them and open up, we find our true selves—and real connection.”
Korean Culture, Told in English
Though the film is in English, Kang considers it a full expression of Korean culture. As a Korean-Canadian creator, she believes this hybrid storytelling is proof of just how powerful and global Korean culture has become.
“I’m proud to share our culture in my own way,” she says. “This film shows the world how far Korea has come.”
Original interview by Kim Soo-jung, published June 26, 2025 via CBS NoCut News