In a new video interview, United Talent Agency (UTA) spotlights Maggie Kang, creator of Netflix’s biggest animated feature film of all time: KPop Demon Hunters. The record-setting, fan-favorite, Kpop-powered action-comedy has taken the world by storm on streaming and music charts, opening up a world of potential for its ghoul-slaying girl squad HUNTR/X.
In the video, Kang — recently named to the prestigious TIME Next 100 list — talks to UTA agent David Park about how she made Netflix’s biggest film ever, including how she ensured the film was authentically Korean; the importance of funny female characters; the impact of Korea’s embrace of the film; what’s next for HUNTR/X’s Rumi, Mira and Zoey — and the one thing she regrets.
With talks of a sequel in development bubbling since this summer, Kang notes, “There’s a ton of possibilities and storylines … a lot of stories are on the cutting room floor.” One of the surprise break-out characters that might take a starring turn is HUNTR/X’s affable (but unaware of the band’s moonlighting heroism) manager, Bobby (voice by Ken Jeong). “He became this massive star. Bobby could have his own spinoff,” says Kang. The director also points out there isa whole world out there to develop a broader demon hunting universe: “There is potential for it to go global … Korea is just one country that we are showcasing. We can do this in every other country and expand the lore.”
One of the most important aspects of this project for Kang was to develop well-rounded role models for the next generations. “I love seeing young girls watch this because I wanted to create strong female characters … but I also wanted to create women that love comedy,” Kang tells Park. “I want girls to know that there’s real power in being funny … and that it takes a lot of confidence.”
When asked if there was anything missing from her perfect vision of the blockbuster hit, she admits, “I wanted more Korean lyrics in the songs, but our songs are so narrative and to carry the story and characters, it felt like it was better to have them in English so that the English-speaking audience can understand. I understand, but in some ways, I feel like I didn’t push back hard enough on that. So, I have a little bit of a tinge of regret on that front.”
As for whether the animated hit could expand to live-action adaptations, Kang recently asserted in a BBC interview, “There’s so many elements of the tone and the comedy that are so suited for animation. It’s really hard to imagine these characters in a live action world. It would feel too grounded. So totally it wouldn’t work for me.”
Her directing partner on the film, Chris Appelhans, agreed: “One of the great things about animation is that you make these composites of impossibly great attributes. Rumi can be this goofy comedian and then singing and doing a spinning back-kick a second later and then freefalling through the sky. The joy of animation is how far you can push and elevate what’s possible. I remember they adapted a lot of different animes and often times, it just feels a little stilted.”
KPop Demon Hunters is directed by Kang and Appelhans, and produced by Sony Pictures Animation. Both Kang and Appelhans will be celebrated at the World Animation Summit (Nov. 17-19 in North Hollywood) as the winners of the Hall of Fame Award for Movie of the Year. Register now and learn more at animationmagazine.net/summit.
Thanks to our friends at UTA for providing the video interview and highlights.
