The stars of KPop Demon Hunters have called for Korean culture to be considered mainstream, rather than being distinguished with a “K” in front of it.
The Netflix animation has become a global phenomenon, becoming the streamer’s most watched film of all time as well as achieving chart success with the song ‘Golden’ from the movie.
A new interview with Variety brought together the film’s stars: EJAE, Ji-young Yoo, Audrey Nuna, Arden Cho, May Hong and Rei Ami, who provide the singing and speaking voices for the three main characters.
Discussing the movie’s success, the actors talked about their joy at a story being told from a Korean perspective finding a global audience. EJAE remarked: “I heard from a Korean director who said that if it were made by a Korean director, it would not be the same.
“The fact that it was made by a Korean Canadian means that we were able to make a film like this that can resonate with both Korea and the world, because our perspective of Korea is also very different.”
Arden Cho added: “This movie is now, and I feel this is the beginning of showing the world that K-pop, K-fashion, K-beauty … The K is …”
Rei Ami then interjected: “… It’s no more. Drop the K.”
K-Pop Demon Hunters is part of a larger wave of Korean art that is finding an audience globally. The newly reunited K-pop icons BTS are due to embark on a world tour in 2026, beginning with a live Netflix streamed performance, while Stray Kids are currently in cinemas with their live concert movie Stray Kids: The dominATE Experience.
Recently, the presidents of Sony Pictures Animation, the studio behind K-Pop Demon Hunters, revealed that a sequel is unlikely to arrive before 2030 due to the process of making animated films.