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The Hindu
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
‘K-pop Demon Hunters' directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans on representing Korean culture and creating Huntr/x
Weeks after the release of Netflix's most-watched original animated film of all time, Kpop Demon Hunters, people still can't seem to stop dancing and singing to 'Soda Pop', 'Golden' or 'Your Idol'. This week, four songs from this American animated musical-fantasy film have made it to the top 10 of the Billboard Global Music Chart, even as fan theories continue about whether the film will get a sequel. The film follows the lives of a fictional K-pop girl group, Huntr/x, belonging to a long legacy of female demon hunters, tasked with keeping a magic barrier strengthened through their singing. The 'honmoon' seals demons from stealing souls of people and feeding them to their demon overlord. It isn't long before they face hurdles in the form of the Saja Boys, demons disguised as a preppy boy group. Since the movie's release, the girls have gone on to become badass superhero inspirations and fashion icons. For directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans from Sony Pictures Animation, who co-wrote and co-directed the film, the film's global success has been exhilarating. 'At the core, it's a story about people trying to find love and acceptance in the world, despite their imperfections,' Chris says, of the film resonating with audiences across the world. Global themes 'In a movie like this, one that is set in Korean culture and features Korean characters, it tells an audience that no matter who you are and where you come from, we all want love and acceptance. It's a very global theme,' adds Maggie. The challenge for Maggie and Chris was in creating main characters who were believable as real K-pop stars, and as real people. 'A lot of hard work went into creating their musical identities, casting vocal talent, unique choreo, and of course, writing great songs. But it was just as important to develop them as humans — their friendship, their fears, their favourite snacks and pajama pants,' says Chris, of Zoey, Mira and Rumi, the three main protagonists. 'We've both wanted to see more relatable female characters, ones that are messy, act silly, make stupid faces, and we thought it would be especially refreshing to see that in the superhero space. It felt like a new take on the female superhero,' says Maggie, adding that she wanted the film and the trio to look 'fashionable and editorial'. The team spent a considerable amount of time getting the casting right. Arden Cho, who voices Rumi, and Ahn Hyo-Seop, who voices Jinu in particular, Chris says, had to balance a lot in their characters. 'Beyond being talented, they were both really dedicated. It took many hours and many recording sessions to find that balance, but they both determined to nail it,' Chris recalls. Since its release, the film has garnered much praise for its referencing of Korean culture, mythology, and even how real locations in Seoul were turned into visually stunning animated frames in the film. Maggie, who was born in Korea and brought up in Canada, says they travelled to South Korea as a team to research locations. 'You can't feel the energy of a city from photos. You can only get that by being in it, and I think that trip really helped us capture all the special details of our locations — the narrow alleys of Bukcheon Hanok Village, and the nature and beauty of Jeju Island,' she says. The area of Myeongdong, which features prominently in the film, holds a special place in her heart as she was born there, and it was also where her parents met for the first time. Representing Korean culture onscreen 'I grew up in Canada during a time when Korea wasn't really known. My third-grade teacher couldn't even find Korea on the map when I told him where I was from. That was kind of the norm for years for me — Korea being this insignificant country between powerhouses China and Japan. So to see Korean culture embraced and loved globally, it's unbelievable,' Maggie says, when asked about how important it was to represent Korean culture the right way onscreen. 'It makes me so proud that the beauty of our culture and our people is appreciated, so I wanted to celebrate that through the movie,' she adds. Chris, too, has a Korean connection; his wife is Korean-American, and he jokes that if they had gotten anything wrong, he would have been the shame of his in-laws for all of eternity. 'But in all seriousness, we had an incredible crew with many Korean members who brought their own knowledge and personal experience, and that added so much depth and authenticity. It shows how important it is to have diversity in animation, not just in a leadership role like Maggie's, but across every department,' he says. Theories have been swirling about which specific idol or K-pop group inspired the Saja Boys, but Maggie is quick to set the record straight. 'We were inspired by all of K-pop,' she says. 'Yes, we built reference boards, but really, it's not fair to name specific groups because so many were on them. For me personally, one of the biggest references was H.O.T., which is my original favourite group from the '90s. They used to go from a very cutesy, bubble gum single, do a complete 180 and go dark and hard for the next single, and that was one of the references for the Saja Boys going from 'Soda Pop' to 'Your Idol,' she adds. The Jeoseung Sajas, or the grim reapers of Korea, were what the Saja boys were always going to be, Maggie says, which is why while they begin with the breezy 'Soda Pop', they end with the dark and brooding 'Your Idol'. Movies centred around music are now truly having a moment in the spotlight. Closer home, the title track of Ahaan Pandey and Aneet Padda's Saiyaara is also on the Billboard Top 10 global chart this week, alongside four songs from K-pop Demon Hunters. So what does it take to get that perfect soundtrack for a film where everything hinges on the music? 'We really worked to make sure the songs had a pop catchiness but also a story purpose. In hindsight, I think it helped us write great pop songs because each one had a compelling story to tell,' Chris says. Music Producer Ian Eisendrath and Spring Aspers at Sony were instrumental, he adds, in giving them talented songwriters to collaborate with and, more importantly, creative protection to develop the songs without too much interference. 'We also made sure no two songs feel the same. Our movie has many different tones throughout, and so it meant naturally our soundtrack would feel like that too. Every song has a different vibe and a different kind of message, and I honestly think that's what makes the soundtrack so exciting,' Maggie says of the smash-hit soundtrack. When asked about the possibility of a sequel for a film that seems to have so much more of a story to take forward, both directors remain mum. So until an official announcement comes by, it's endless rewatches and the soundtrack on loop for the fans. Kpop Demon Hunters is currently streaming on Netflix
Los Angeles Times
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Opinion: KPop Demon Hunters through a Christian lens
Swiftly reaching No. 1 on the Netflix Charts in 33 countries , Kpop Demon Hunters has grown into a global sensation. An ingenious plot of a K-pop girl and boy band pitted against each other set to an addictive soundtrack has created another successful Netflix animated film, whilst honing an amalgam of genres such as action, musical, and even a hint of romance. However, beyond being an enjoyable film for all age groups, throughout the course of watching the film, I recognized that many aspects of the movie were surprisingly analogous to themes related to Christianity. In many ways, the girl group in the film, HUNTR/X, symbolizes believers of Christ. Rumi, Mira, and Zoey desire to restore the Honmoon – a way to shield people from demons – by sharing their music. The songs that they perform, like 'Golden' and 'What It Sounds Like,' can be representative of Christian worship music. In particular, people who listen to HUNTR/X's music strengthen the Honmoon, similarly to how people's faith in God is amplified as they listen to more music to praise his name. In contrast, songs performed by the Saja Boys – a demon boy band in the film – such as 'Soda Pop' and 'Your Idol' are meant to feed on the souls of the people who listen to their music. The Saja Boys are heavily connected to a major obstacle many Christians face: listening to secular music. Secular music can be defined as music that 'often promotes immorality and violence while belittling purity and integrity.' In other words, music with lyrics that promote sins outlined in the Bible can negatively deter individuals' religious faith and can cause us or our souls to fall astray. Furthermore, a more apparent connection to Christianity in the film is that the main villain, named Gwi-ma, resembles Satan as he tempts people like Jinu, who is the main member of the Saja Boys, to fall into sin on Earth, ultimately leading to their spiritual death as they become demons. For example, Jinu was tempted by Gwi-ma to abandon his mother and sister for a life of luxury. In other aspects, Jinu's ultimate decision at the end of the film to sacrifice himself for Rumi resembles the sacrifice that Jesus made on the Cross, since Jinu's sacrifice not only saved Rumi but also sealed the Honmoon as well, likewise to how Christians believe that Jesus' sacrifice saved us from spiritual death. In actuality, the aforementioned observations aren't solely based on speculation. In an interview with Forbes, EJAE, who is a songwriter involved in the film's soundtrack and is the voice of Rumi, said, ''I was raised Christian and remembered it's a sin to idolize something. So, it was like a twist of 'I'll be your Idol.' It was kinda creepy.' Therefore, there is an aspect of the film that is based on Christianity's view on idols. More specifically, let's analyze verse two of 'Your Idol': Don't let it show, keep it all inside The pain and the shame, keep it outta sight Your obsession feeds our connection So right now give me all your attention The message of these lyrics completely juxtaposes themes of Christianity, like not presenting one's worries to God, along with having unhealthy obsessions with things of the world, which are idols. Psalm 34:18 is a direct response to the first two lines of verse two when it reads, 'The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.' As for unhealthy obsession outlined in the third and fourth lines, Colossians 3:5 is a fitting retort as it says, 'Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.' Although not everyone may agree with this Christian perspective, these analogies still hold heavy significance to Christians who identify with deeper symbolism that exists in the film. My final remark is in relation to both a notable yet universal concern in the film and a driving cornerstone of Christianity. In the words of Rumi, 'That's the funny thing about hope. Nobody else gets to decide if you feel it. That choice belongs to you.' Related
GMA Network
a day ago
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
Meet the voice actors of Saja Boys from 'K-pop Demon Hunters'
Photo Inside Page Whether you're a K-pop fan or just love animated action-comedies, Netflix's 'K-pop Demon Hunters' is hard to miss. The film was released back in June 20 and has been making waves online. The 2025 animated film centers on Huntr/x--a K-pop girl group made up of Rumi, Mira, and Zoey, who secretly moonlight as demon hunters. Their main adversaries? The Saja Boys: Jinu, Abby, Romance, Baby, and Mystery. Though they appear to be fellow idols, they're actually demons sent by the dark lord Gwi-ma to steal the souls of Huntr/x's devoted fans. Onstage, the Saja Boys are every bit the perfect K-pop idols: charming, mysterious, and massively popular. But behind the flawless visuals and catchy hits lies something more sinister--they're actually demons in disguise. As the film's main antagonists, they serve up more than just synchronized dance moves, becoming the ultimate threat to our demon-slaying heroines. The voices of The Saja Boys are brought to life by a mix of actors and singers who have also made a name for themselves in the music and acting industry. Ahn Hyo-seop voices Jinu, with Andrew Choi as his singing voice. Abby Saja is voiced by Sungwon Cho (ProZD), with Neckwav on vocals. Alan Lee and Kevin Woo voice and sing for Mystery Saja, while Joel Kim Booster and samUIL Lee do the same for Romance Saja. Danny Chung is behind the voices and sings for Baby Saja. Each Saja Boy has a unique persona, complete with a distinct voice and singing style brought to life by a talented lineup of actors and musicians. Get to know the voice actors behind the Saja Boys here:
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
K-Pop Demon Hunters becomes most-watched animated film in Netflix history within six weeks
Netflix has confirmed that K-Pop Demon Hunters is now the most-viewed animated film in the platform's history, reaching over 26 million views and nearly 44 million hours watched within just six weeks of release. The film, which premiered on June 20 2025, follows HUNTR/X, a K-pop idol group that secretly fights supernatural threats. In the story, the group faces off against the Saja Boys, a rival demon-powered boy band. Since its release, K-Pop Demon Hunters has quickly risen in popularity, dominating social media and global music charts. The fictional bands featured in the film have produced original songs that have gained widespread attention. Several tracks have topped Billboard's global charts, with listeners comparing them to established acts such as BTS and BLACKPINK. According to Netflix's internal data released on July 29 2025, the film has spent six consecutive weeks in the Top 10 films section. It surpassed previous animated hits such as The Sea Beast and The Monkey King to claim the top spot. In addition to streaming success, the film's music has seen strong engagement online, increasing speculation about the potential for a sequel. While Netflix has not officially confirmed a follow-up, CEO Ted Sarandos praised the film in a recent statement, calling it 'original animation' that highlights the importance of storytelling and innovation. K-Pop Demon Hunters remains available to stream exclusively on Netflix, with fans continuing to express interest in further exploring the world of HUNTR/X.
Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
EXO's Kai is real inspo behind Saja Boys' lead character? Animator spills tea
' Kpop Demon Hunters ' has managed to garner a lot of love and praise from around the world ever since it was released a month ago. The director of the film, as well as the cast members, have been continuously vocal about the inspiration and thought that went behind creating the Saja Boys and HUNTRIX. Recent comments from one of the animators from the film have been going viral. Animator from 'Kpop Demon Hunters' shares his inspo behind lead Jinu While talking about his journey working as an animator for the film 'Kpop Demon Hunters', animator Min Hong revealed he used a reference to create the boy group from the film. As per reports from Hankyung Korea Market, he revealed that the popular song 'Soda Pop' choreography was inspired directly by MONSTA X and SHINee and their dance moves on stage. While talking about creating the girl group and their clothes, the animator shared that the staff used to watch one Korean drama every week in order to get a better sense of what is more in trend and fashion in Korea and to represent everything accurately. According to the report, staff members even visited the country during the production stage in order to get a handle on how to represent everything on screen as authentically as possible. While talking about the success of the film, Min quoted, "I was surprised that 'K-Pop Demon Hunters,' which was a working title, remained the official title. I thought it would be a gift to K-Pop fans, but I didn't know it would become such a hit'. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Simple Morning Habit for a Flatter Belly After 50! Lulutox Undo The artist talks about his inspiration behind Jinu Ever since the film's announcement, comments have been made time and time again, even by the director Maggie Kang herself, that ASTRO's Cha Eun Woo is the main inspiration behind the male lead Jinu , who has been voiced by Ahn Hyo Seop . Eun Woo even released a song cover of 'Free' alongside Arden Cho , who voiced the character of Rumi . The animator's comments, however, contrasted this, as he revealed that EXO's Kai was a major influence over Jinu. He shared in his comment that, 'In order to bring to life the facial expressions of Jinwoo, the leader of Saja Boys, we referenced Kai, a member of the idol group EXO, a lot. We created scenes such as popcorn pouring out of the character's eyes so that it would be relatable in the West as well'. Fans react to the revelation As soon as the interview made its way online, fans of the idol started expressing their excitement over the matter. One fan commented, 'The fact everyone and their mothers have claimed this character being inspired by their idol', while another shared, 'love me right literally played when they walked in. anyone who didn't think they were inspired by exo is either a newer kpop stan or an exo anti'.
