Netflix’s “KPop Demon Hunters” Reveals Its Production Process Rooted in Korean Culture and Mythology

The production team behind Netflix’s animated film “KPop Demon Hunters” has shared the background and process by which Korean culture was integrated into the project. The story follows K-pop superstars Rumi, Mira, and Joy as Demon Hunters who hunt evil spirits behind the glamorous scenes of concerts. With its unique setting and distinctive characters, the film has received enthusiastic responses from fans around the world. Maggie Kang, the Canadian-Korean co-director, stated her desire to create a work that could showcase Korean culture and mythology to the global audience. Kang explained, “Even after moving to Canada at the age of five, I spent every summer vacation in Korea. Playing with my cousins and being exposed to television and music allowed me to experience Korean pop culture deeply. I wanted to include everything about Korea in this film.” The production team visited Korea in person to experience its culture firsthand. Kang and her 10-member team explored locations such as Bukchon, Myeongdong, and the Folk Village of Korea to develop the film’s design and concepts. This is why elements like Hanok houses, Korean cuisine, and street scenes are depicted in a realistic manner—details that only Koreans would easily recognize. The film features actual places such as Namsan Tower and Bukchon, along with a meticulously crafted portrayal of Korean sentiment. The most distinctive aspect of this work is the combination of K-pop and occult themes. The idea of a girl group acting as Demon Hunters who hunt evil spirits outside concerts was inspired by Korean shamanism and rituals known as “gut.” Kang explained, “Gut involves using music and dance to drive away monsters, which I thought would fit perfectly with the film’s concept. In a way, I even consider gut to be the earliest form of K-pop concert.” Numerous overseas artists participated in the music composition, including Teddy from The Black Label and ZENA Andrew, who has written songs for BTS multiple times. Kang said, “Our goal was to create music that truly reflected K-pop style. Since I was a fan of Teddy during his OneTime days, I decided to collaborate with The Black Label.” The composers went through 7 to 8 revisions to finalize the music. The girl group TWICE also contributed to the OST, adding extra uniqueness. Aden Cho, who voices Rumi, described her as a character who “defeats evil spirits, sings well, is beautiful, and has excellent fashion sense,” highlighting her intense yet trendy appeal. May Hong, who portrays Mira, said Mira has a “sarcastic, rebellious, and mocking personality,” while Yoo Ji-young, who plays Joy, described her as “the youngest member of the team, making her the cutest and most energetic.” It was clarified that the characters’ appearances were not based on any specific group or member. Kang stated, “We did not reference any particular group or member; instead, these characters were created under the influence of all K-pop groups and their members.” Actor Ahn Hyo-seop voiced Jin-woo, the leader of the Sajaboyz, in English, while actor Lee Byung-hun portrayed the main villain, Gwi-ma. Kang revealed she decided to cast Ahn Hyo-seop after watching the Korean drama “Sanae Matseon” (2022). The film features various elements from Korean shamanistic beliefs, such as spirits of the underworld, goblins, tiger ghosts, and Dangsan trees. In particular, a scene where the Sajaboyz perform group dances in costumes resembling spirits of the underworld, complete with hats and robes, became a topic of discussion on social media. Kang emphasized the significance of spreading Korean culture in English, saying, “Just like K-pop or K-beauty, Americans become excited whenever something starts with ‘K.’”