President Lee Meets Director of “KPop Demon Hunters” and TWICE to Discuss Future of K-Pop

President Lee Jae-myeong is set to meet with the director of Netflix’s animated series “KPop Demon Hunters” and members of the K-pop idol group TWICE to discuss South Korea’s global cultural influence and future vision. This dialogue, conducted through Arirang International Broadcasting’s special program “K-Pop: The Next Chapter,” is expected to symbolize the government’s strategic direction for K-pop policies. The program, scheduled to air at 5 p.m. on the 20th, will feature President Lee, along with director Maggie Kang of “KPop Demon Hunters,” TWICE members Jihyo and Jeongyeon, music producer R.Tee, and music critic Kim Young-dae. Hosted by broadcaster Jang Sung-kyu, the discussion will focus on “the present state of K-pop and its future vision,” with various industry insiders collectively exploring K-pop’s global prominence, the scalability of global content, and new opportunities. President Lee has already clarified the government’s stance by mentioning “KPop Demon Hunters” during a national security council meeting. On the 18th, he stated that “the craze sparked by K-pop is spreading to all aspects of K-culture” and urged relevant ministries to provide support based on the ‘arm’s length principle’ while avoiding interference. The ‘arm’s length principle’ is an international guideline stating that governments should actively support cultural and artistic fields but refrain from interfering in their operations to ensure autonomy. The presidential office emphasized the significance of this program, saying, “For our country to evolve into one of the top five soft power cultural powers, continuous growth and innovation in cultural industries, including K-pop, are essential.” It added that “the voices and insights from the field conveyed through this program will be utilized in shaping future policy directions.” Such government actions demonstrate that the global success of “KPop Demon Hunters” serves as a crucial momentum for national cultural policies, going beyond mere cultural phenomena. According to statistics from the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), K-pop accounted for four of the top 10 albums on the world chart in 2024, and it has driven the K-pop craze that was once referred to as the ‘Korean invasion’ during BTS’s entry into the U.S. market. The government views the integration of South Korea’s traditional culture, food, fashion, and other elements through global content—alongside K-pop—as a model for exporting high-end cultural industries. It believes that the combination of K-pop’s musical quality, the authenticity of Korean traditions, and the global reach of OTT platforms can serve as a driving force in positioning South Korea as a ‘cultural powerhouse.’