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Director Maggie Kang poses at the open talk for K-pop Demon Hunters during the 30th Busan International Film Festival at the Busan Cinema Center on September 21. / Source: Yonhap News

Korean American director Maggie Kang, who has worked in Hollywood for more than a decade, said she hopes her new animated film K-pop Demon Hunters will resonate with audiences as deeply as iconic titles like Sailor Moon or The Little Mermaid.

Speaking at an open talk during the 30th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) on September 21, Kang reflected on her first time engaging with Korean fans in person. The event followed a sold-out sing-along screening the previous day, where children surprised her with candid questions such as, “Why did you kill Jin-woo?” and “Was there a kiss scene between Rumi and Jin-woo?” She described the exchange as “unexpected, adorable, and precious.”

Kang explained that she initiated the project because “there was no film that fully showcased Korean culture, so I decided to make one myself.” The movie blends traditional Korean folklore — goblins and grim reapers — with K-pop, creating a world where idols perform exorcisms through dance. “I wanted young viewers to imagine that maybe their favorite idol could also be a shaman,” she said.

Music was at the heart of the project. Kang and her team spent hundreds of hours with composers and producers to create pop tracks that reflect each character’s story and emotions. She singled out “Golden” and “Your Idol” as her favorite songs, noting how their real-world chart success blurred the line between fiction and reality.

Her most cherished scene is the first encounter between Rumi and Jin-woo, which she storyboarded six years ago. “It remained almost unchanged in the final cut — it’s the most precious sequence to me,” she said.

Kang emphasized her directing philosophy: familiar stories can feel new depending on how they’re told. “I like giving a twist to what feels familiar. In the end, it’s the director’s perspective that matters most,” she said.

She cited Bong Joon-ho as a formative influence, recalling the impact of watching The Host. “It was the first time I realized genres could be blended, and it changed my life,” she said, naming Memories of Murder as her favorite Bong film.

Looking ahead, Kang hopes her work empowers young audiences. “I want K-pop Demon Hunters to be remembered as someone’s Sailor Moon. I hope the film helps people embrace their individuality and overcome fears,” she said, adding that she has multiple projects in mind, from animation to live action.

The film, now streaming on Netflix, follows a fictional K-pop girl group, Huntrix, as they battle evil spirits threatening the world in a fantasy action adventure.