Exclusive: KPop Demon Hunters directors on slaying demons, surpassing BTS, BLACKPINK

India Today

2 days ago

What happens when you mash up supernatural lore, killer choreography, and the high-stakes world of K-pop? You get 'KPop Demon Hunters', the animated sensation that's become Netflix's most-watched animated film ever, racking up over 106 million views globally. The film features a squad of stylish, flawed, fabulous female demon hunters- HUNTRIX, and a fictional demon boy band battling inner guilt- Saja Boys. In an unprecedented move, these fictional bands turned into chart-topping acts, even outpacing the likes of BTS and BLACKPINK on streaming platforms.advertisementIn this exclusive chat with India Today, the creative duo who brought them to life - directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans - spoke about 'KPop Demon Hunters', giving a fresh spin to the superhero genre with a glitter-bomb of self-acceptance, sisterhood, and seriously addictive songs.Speaking to us, they broke down the process, the panic, and the power of believing in pyjama-wearing pop idols who fight evil in style. It's been 10 weeks now and 'KPop Demon Hunters' has everyone rooting for honmoon and Jinu (voiced by Ahn Hyo-Seop).It's their moment!KPop Demon Hunters is Netflix's most-watched original animated film of ALL TIME. pic.twitter.com/zHpijRAzT6— Netflix (@netflix) July 29, 2025From Brainstorm to Bop
For Maggie Kang, the concept was a shot in the dark, and a dance move in the dark, too. 'I don't think you ever really know if an idea will work,' she laughs. 'You think of something, you think it'll be great, then you dive into it and usually that's when you find out, 'oh no. This doesn't work!''Even when she storyboarded the first proof-of-concept, an early version of the airborne 'How It's Done' battle, doubts loomed large. 'But the mashup of demons and idols fighting while dancing and singing, all shot in the style of a music video, felt like something I hadn't seen before. So, it was worth figuring out.'Chris Appelhans, on the other hand, found his entry into this world through some pointed advice at home. He said, 'My wife is a novelist and has been telling me for years to make female characters that were funnier, and more flawed and interesting than the typical animation archetypes.'So, when Maggie pitched a girl gang of demon-hunting idols decked out in high fashion and pyjama pants, Chris was all in. He noted, 'One of my favourite experiences on the film was seeing artists in every department – from storyboarding to layout to animation to lighting– have so much fun with these girls and their dualities. It felt like they'd been waiting for the opportunity.' Idols as Superheroes? 'I Guess We're Saying That'Ironically, the K-pop element wasn't part of the original pitch. 'The idol part came later,' Maggie admits. 'It was more, 'I guess we are saying these idols are superheroes?'' But once it clicked, the universe practically built itself. With inspiration drawn from bands like BTS and BLACKPINK - not so much their careers but their connections with fans - the emotional core of the film found solid ground.advertisement'We knew how powerful that bond was and how much genuine good it brought to the world,' Chris explains. 'It gave us confidence that the story we were telling tapped into something true.'And, of course, no K-pop universe is complete without jaw-dropping choreography. Crafting the moves, especially for sequences like 'Soda Pop's' performance, came with its own pressure.'K-pop choreography is already so creative and dynamic,' says Maggie. She added, 'It was a challenge to create that same energy and then take it to the next level because you kind of have to in animation.' Chris adds, 'We tasked our animators to push the poses and distill movements, so it didn't feel like motion capture or just a 'tracing' of real-life performances. Huge credit to Josh Beveridge and the animation team for making it look so good.' Overarching theme of Demon HuntersOne of the most rewarding aspects of the film was seamlessly blending Korean culture with a fantasy setting, without compromising either. 'It wasn't tough at all,' Maggie says, adding, "We were teaching the audience about a new culture while also showing them visuals they hadn't seen before. So, weaving in fantasy felt natural.'advertisementThe film's villain, Gwima, isn't your average monster, he feeds on inner demons, fear, and insecurity. 'We wanted to explore those inner demons,' Chris notes.He adds, 'It gave the story an emotional layer and gave Gwima something to prey on.' That leads straight into the film's core theme: self-acceptance. 'It's especially relatable for the Asian audience,' Maggie says. Chris agrees. 'It's a story about people trying to find love and acceptance in the world despite their imperfections and self-acceptance is a crucial step in that journey. I think we can all relate to that struggle.' Casting, Coincidences, and K-Drama CrossoversCasting was a challenge, particularly in getting fluent Korean-speaking actors to bring authenticity. Arden Cho, known for her work with Netflix, came on board as Rumi. 'She has 20+ years of experience, and we needed someone like that,' Maggie explains. 'Rumi is a very layered, difficult character to play.'As for Jinu, the mysterious male lead? Ahn Hyo-seop. 'We found him through 'Business Proposal',' Maggie recalls. 'He plays a very cool CEO - dark, mysterious, kind of rude but you like him, I liked him instantly. There's a scene where he speaks into a phone in perfect English, and that sealed the deal for me. I knew he had to be Jinu.' In a full-circle twist, a track from 'Business Proposal' — 'Love, Maybe' — ended up in the movie too.advertisementTotal coincidence.'We had that cue in the cut even before thinking about casting. I was watching 'Business Proposal' at the time and thought the song would fit the moment well but even at that time casting Ahn Hyo-seop hadn't crossed my mind. The first time we shared that scene with him at a recording he was surprised, and he laughed. He didn't expect it. But it all worked out well with his casting.' The Soundtrack That Shook the ChartsWith fictional groups like ECLIPSE ['My Lovely Runner'] and August Moon ['The Idea of You'] setting fire to global charts, K-Pop Demon Hunters did what few animated films have — create a sonic universe strong enough to rival the real K-pop acts like BTS, BLACKPINK. 'It's surreal,' says Maggie. 'We worried that people wouldn't accept our groups as real. To see them charting with actual K-pop acts is incredible.'advertisementWhile the duo finds it hard to pick favourites, Maggie admits a soft spot for 'Your Idol.' 'That's the type of boy group music I personally like.' The toughest one to get right? 'Golden,' hands down. 'We struggled with its placement and vibe,' Chris adds. 'But once it clicked, the movie just fired on all cylinders.' With memes, fan edits, and actual fan chants taking over social media, the movie's fandom is anything but fictional. 'It's the ultimate happy ending,' Chris smiles. 'The film is a love letter to K-pop and to music in general - so seeing our songs travel the world, bringing people joy and connection? That's everything.''K-Pop Demon Hunters' isn't just a genre mash-up, it's a cultural moment, where pyjamas are heroic, demons are emotional, and the beats? Slays demons and charts effortlessly.- Ends