SAEDNEWS: Maggie Kang, creator of Netflix’s hit Kpop Demon Hunters, shares how she infused Korean culture, mythology, and K-pop into the animated musical, and reveals her favorite character, Mira.
According to Saed News; When Maggie Kang first pitched her animated feature, she saw a glaring gap in Hollywood: authentic Korean representation. Despite over a decade in animation, she had never worked on a project centered on Korean characters — so she created Kpop Demon Hunters. The Netflix musical, featuring all Korean protagonists, quickly became a global sensation, surprising even its creators.
Speaking at the Netflix Creative Asia conference during the Busan International Film Festival, Kang detailed her journey, explaining how every element of her supernatural girl group story reflected real Korean culture.
Kang’s inspiration began with Korean folklore. Fascinated by creatures like dokkaebi, dalsin, and saja, she envisioned a story where demons met their match in powerful female hunters. Yet something was missing: spectacle.
“K-pop was the missing piece,” Kang said. “It transformed the project into a musical. Suddenly, there was scale, energy, and a global bridge for the story.” The combination of K-pop and mythology allowed her to create a narrative both fantastical and culturally resonant.
To root her story in real Korean traditions, Kang incorporated mudang, the Korean shamanic practice of using music and dance to ward off evil. The film’s hunters wield “sonic weapons” inspired by traditional folk dancers, whose rituals were seen as early forms of public performance in Korea.
In 2022, Kang and co-director Chris Appelhans visited Korea for firsthand research. They explored locations like Gwangjang Market, Namsan Tower, Olympic Stadium, Myeongdong, and Seonsan Folk Village to accurately capture the visual essence of Korean life.
“Understanding Korea was essential to show it authentically,” Kang said. The filmmakers carefully recreated Seoul’s skyline and daily life in restaurants, ensuring every detail reflected the culture. Even Bukchon Hanok Village, where main characters Rumi and Jinyu first meet, was chosen to highlight the balance of tradition and modernity — a visual reflection of the characters themselves.
Kang’s commitment to authenticity extended to the smallest details: napkins under restaurant settings, taekwondo sequences, and even animal characters paying homage to Korean icons. Derpy the tiger nods to the national animal and chokdo art, while Sassy the three-eyed magpie completes the traditional Korean pairing.
Creating Korean female leads was equally important. Kang singled out her favorite, Mira: “I just think Mira is so cool… so beautiful in a totally different way. I wish I was Mira.”
Music was central to the story, with seven original songs produced by K-pop heavyweights, including Teddy Park and The Black Label. The breakout track Golden topped the Billboard charts, while Twice covered Takedown, cementing the film’s global appeal.
“The excitement from the K-pop community validated our approach,” Kang said. For her, music was more than entertainment — it was a bridge connecting animation to real cultural impact.
Kang praised her collaboration with Appelhans, noting how shared ideas and constant feedback helped preserve the story’s heart. “Story is king,” she said. “By the middle of production, we were so in sync that we almost shared a brain.”
Appelhans, whose wife is Korean, brought cultural sensitivity to the project, ensuring that both mythology and modern Korean culture were respectfully and accurately represented.
The film’s success exceeded expectations. “You make a movie hoping people connect,” Kang reflected. “This blew our minds.” Fans frequently ask about sequels, but while no official announcements exist, Kang and the team are eager to explore more stories.
For Kang, the triumph is more than entertainment; it’s about representation. Every time viewers watch Kpop Demon Hunters, they are experiencing Korean culture on a global stage. “That’s truly incredible,” she said.
