Director Maggie Kang appeared on the special Arirang International Broadcasting program, 'K-Pop: The Next Chapter,' on August 20, alongside President Lee Jae Myung, TWICE’s Jeongyeon and Jihyo, producer R.Tee, and critic Kim Young Dae.
Kang, who moved to Canada at the age of five, recalled her early memories of wanting to promote her homeland. “When a teacher asked me about my hometown, I said ‘South Korea,’ but they couldn’t find it on the map. That’s when I realized I wanted to do something for my country,” she said.
That desire culminated in her animated film 'KPop Demon Hunters.' “I wanted to show our culture as it is, without hiding anything,” Kang emphasized. The film prominently features Korean elements, from the tiger character “Duffy” to magpies wearing traditional hats, leaving a strong impression on international audiences.
Kang explained the creative inspiration behind the story: “I thought the images of goblins, water spirits, and the grim reaper were unique. The concept of demon hunters came naturally, and combining it with K-pop made the idea even more fun.”
Highlighting the global potential of Korean culture, Kang stated, “There are no limits to Korean cultural content. While researching 'KPop Demon Hunters,' I realized how much of our culture remains unknown. There’s still so much to share with the world.”
She also shared a personal behind-the-scenes story: “When creating the character Lumi, I was pregnant with my daughter. I named her Lumi, and she even performed the young Lumi’s voice acting and singing in the film.”
TWICE members Jeongyeon and Jihyo performed Hentricks’ "Takedown," a song that reached number 60 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. Jeongyeon recalled, “During our world tour, fans sang along with us every time.” Jihyo expressed her connection to the cultural details in the film: “Many scenes felt familiar. I could relate to the characters in their pajamas looking for the sofa. We often visit traditional clinics together as a group, just like in the film.”
President Lee also shared his favorite scenes, laughing, “The moment when radish kimchi is added to the beef soup was the best. I was also impressed by how the tiger character ‘Duffy’ was made cute and how the grim reaper was turned into an idol character.” He added, “The most Korean things can be the most global. For K-pop to become a core industry, it must have strong roots. The government will continue to provide the necessary environment.”
President Lee further promised support for the K-pop industry: “Koreans should feel confident in showcasing our culture. Since the new administration includes cultural industries in its key economic strategies, the potential of Korean culture will continue to grow.”
Meanwhile, Maggie Kang also participated in the recording of tvN’s 'You Quiz on the Block,' which is set to air on August 27.
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