Director Maggie Kang of the film <K-Pop Demon Hunters> appeared on the tvN program <You Quiz on the Block> and shared various stories related to the work. Those contents have been captured here.
ㅡThe K-DeHun Sing-along Bus appeared in ChicagoㅡOnly held special screenings for two days… K-DeHun No. 1 at the North American box officeㅡEnthusiastically received by people all over the worldㅡ<K-Pop Demon Hunters>ㅡNo. 1 in 43 countries on NetflixㅡReached 236 million viewsㅡThe Korean who caused the <K-DeHun> fever worldwideㅡDirector Maggie Kang
<Golden>
ㅡThe saying “The most Korean thing is the most global thing” has become a reality.
Maggie Kang – I didn’t even know a single movie could be this popular.
Yoo Jae-suk – The harmony between K-pop and Korean culture in the process of confronting evil spirits is a “godsend.”
ㅡAn animation set in South Korea using K-pop music, featuring a girl group “Huntress” who protects the world from evil spirits and protects fans from an evil spirit boy group “Saja Boys.”ㅡRanked No. 1 in 43 countries after being released in JuneㅡSurpassed 236 million cumulative viewsㅡBecame the most-watched Netflix movie of all timeㅡStill breaking records even nowㅡOST <GOLDEN> No. 1 on Billboard HOT 100, No. 1 on the UK Official Singles Chart, 8 OST songs lining up on music charts
Yoo Jae-suk – Did you expect this kind of fever?
Maggie Kang – While making the songs, I wanted K-pop fans to accept these songs as K-pop and accept Huntress or Saja Boys as idol groups. But, I never thought our song would go all the way up to Billboard. I think that’s so amazing. It’s also fascinating to see Huntress and Saja Boys fighting on the Billboard charts.
ㅡSituations in the movie that became reality (Soda Pop, Golden)ㅡLee Jae, who directly composed and sang <GOLDEN> – became a hot topic after it was revealed she was an SM trainee for 10 years!
Maggie Kang – I saw her recording <Golden> in New York. She did the high pitch range 20 to 30 times in a row. It’s a very difficult song to sing, right? I asked Lee Jae to make it difficult. Because when you hear songs in a high register, you get “UP.” I wanted to make a song that gives a heart-fluttering feeling. Our movie gives positive energy.
Yoo Jae-suk – The lyrics also have “UP” coming out repeatedly.
LyricsㅡWe’re goin’ up, up, up, it’s our moment.ㅡYou know together we’re glowingㅡGonna be, gonna be golden
ㅡThe <Golden> cover challenge spread on SNS with a bright and powerful message and an addictive chorusㅡPopularity regardless of age or genderㅡVarious parodies appearedㅡNo. 1 at the US Box Office in just two days of screening … 25 billion won in revenueㅡ”Should we seal the Spirit Gate with a sing-along?” 7-hour wait for the US Sing-along BusㅡThe world is currently in <K-DeHun> fever
Yoo Jae-suk – Not only the songs, but scenes in the movie are becoming hot topics.
ㅡThe scene of interest – The scene of eating a whole roll of Gimbap
Yoo Jae-suk – People are even imitating eating a whole roll of Gimbap.
ㅡAs interest in Gimbap intensifies, videos of people making Gimbap themselves are gaining popularity.ㅡThe 13-million-view Soda Pop Challenge
Director Maggie Kang’s Childhood
ㅡImmigrated at the young age of 5 – CanadaㅡYou can forget Korean if you don’t use it, but her Korean is still fluent
Maggie Kang – When I first went to Canada, I only used English. I didn’t use Korean at home. They said I spoke English perfectly in 6 months. After my English became perfect, my mother gave me a Korean book, but I couldn’t read it. My mom said, “This won’t do,” and from then on, she sat me down and started studying. Three to four times a week, for several hours, I absolutely studied Korean. I did dictation and read repeatedly. At the time, I really hated doing it, but now I’m so grateful for it.
ㅡStudying itself is not easy at age 5. Korean study has now become a great asset.
Yoo Jae-suk – Even though you immigrated to Canada, did you visit Korea often?
Maggie Kang – I spent all my summer vacations in Korea. Because my parents always thought they would return to Korea, we spent a lot of time in Korea.
ㅡKorean sensibilities naturally ingrained in the body
Maggie Kang – I think I watched a lot of TV whenever I came to Korea during vacations, haha. Every summer when I went to Korea, there was a hit song trending at that time. I have really good memories of going to karaoke with my cousins and singing popular songs.
Production Team – Which singers did you like?
Maggie Kang – For singers, it was H.O.T. I was a fan of H.O.T., and also Seo Taiji and Boys.
ㅡSeo Taiji and Boys – <As This Night Goes Deep>(1992)ㅡDeux – <Turn Around and Look at Me>(1993)ㅡKorean songs inserted throughout the movie, influenced by the singers she liked as a child
Maggie Kang – My mother always said, “You are Korean. You must not forget the Korean language.” So I always remembered those words. Although I hold a Canadian passport now, in my heart, I have always felt 100% Korean.
Yoo Jae-suk – How did you start in animation?
Maggie Kang – My dad really likes movies. So I’ve been interested in storytelling since I was little. When I wrote a story, I drew character designs and scenes there, and my dad saw that and bought me an animation book. So from that moment, I thought, “Animation can be a job!” and started learning 2D animation, then took a story test at DreamWorks. I passed and joined DreamWorks.
Jo Se-ho – Director, do you remember the animations you liked when you were young?
Maggie Kang – I liked Dooly too. I also remember <Candy Candy>. I was influenced a lot by Korean cartoons and also by the Western side. Things like Disney. I liked various things.
ㅡA director who loved animation since childhood
Yoo Jae-suk – You worked a lot as a storyboard artist at DreamWorks? Shrek 3, Kung Fu Panda 2, Minions 2.
ㅡWhat is a storyboard artist?ㅡWhen making a movieㅡThe first step is writing (Scenario work). However, the scenario is not perfect.ㅡThe role of a storyboard artist is to visualize and express the scenario.ㅡIf I take charge of a scene, I express the camera angle, the position of the characters, movement, atmosphere, etc., through drawings.ㅡAnimation created based on the designed drawingsㅡThe work of visualizing with a storyboard how to compose a sceneㅡThe next step after storyboard artist is storyboard supervisorㅡThe next is the director who plans the story and oversees everythingㅡDirector’s first directorial work <K-Pop Demon Hunters>
The Reason for Making <K-Pop Demon Hunters>
Yoo Jae-suk – How did you come to make <K-Pop Demon Hunters>?
Maggie Kang – I’ve been working in animation for 20 years. From the time I first started working, I wanted to see an animation containing Korean culture. As a Korean! In Korea, they make and love animation a lot, so I thought, “I wish there was a movie representing our country!” and “If such a project comes out, I want to work on it too,” but it wasn’t coming out. So I reached the position where I could become a supervisor and director, and thought, “Then should I try making it?” Then an idea came to mind. It seemed like people abroad didn’t know the images of our Grim Reaper (Jeoseungsaja) or Dokkaebi very well. The images from folklore naturally connected to the “Demon Hunter” idea of exorcising evil spirits.
ㅡAn evil spirit with a Dokkaebi face was born using the image of Dokkaebi found in folklore.ㅡThe Grim Reaper, a scary image taking the dead in a black Gat (hat) and Dopo (robe), was reborn as a mysterious but sophisticated and charming Grim Reaper.
Yoo Jae-suk – I didn’t know the Grim Reaper we knew could be depicted like that!
Maggie Kang – The “Demon Hunter” idea was decided first, and exorcising evil spirits is often done while hiding one’s identity. So I thought, “What kind of job could these female characters have that allows them to hide their identity while hunting demons?” At that time, several teams wanted to make a movie using K-pop but hadn’t been able to make it yet. So I thought, “Then shall I try it?” The concept of “Idol” + “Demon Hunter” was good.
ㅡThe evil spirit-exorcising girl group “Huntress” was born by grafting K-pop onto Korean mythology and occult elements.
Yoo Jae-suk – How will the Grim Reaper harass Huntress? But they become idols! This imagination…! I slapped my knee!!!
Maggie Kang – That idea was there from the beginning. Saja Boys were also expressed as Grim Reapers and lions.
ㅡThe evil spirit boy group Saja Boys who lead people astray with addictive songs.
Yoo Jae-suk – Traditional culture is underlying the entire work.
ㅡTraditional Culture ① Utilization of Shamanic ‘Gut’ – The Shamanic ‘Gut’ that drives away evil spirits with songs, dances, and ritual tools.ㅡThe ritual of driving away evil spirits was reborn as a K-pop performance.ㅡTraditional Culture ② Irworobongdo (Painting of the Sun, Moon, and Five Peaks)ㅡTraditional Culture ③ Wearing Norigae (Traditional ornaments)ㅡTraditional Culture ④ Shamanic tools (Gok-do, Sa-in-geom, Sin-kal)
Yoo Jae-suk – These detailed parts are amazing. Especially the tiger character “Duffy.” The scene where Duffy tries to set up a flowerpot he knocked over but fails is so cute and a scene where the character’s charm stands out. The character Duffy is a tiger that appears in traditional folk paintings, right? (Hojakdo – a painting featuring a tiger and a magpie). I was very surprised by the tiger expressed so cutely and charmingly.
Maggie Kang – I raise two cats, and they are Himalayan cats. They are flat-faced cats, and the character was born by getting inspiration from my pet cats as well. That flowerpot scene is because a characteristic of cats is that they try to knock something over. But our Duffy is a scene born from the reverse idea of trying to set the flowerpot up instead of knocking it over.
Yoo Jae-suk – I thought he would stop after once or twice, but he knocks it over several times.
Maggie Kang – I watched a lot of historical dramas growing up, so I was familiar with traditional clothing. I wanted to show a lot of Korea through this work. Of course, this is a K-pop movie, but I had the ambition to inform and show the history of Korea as much as possible.
ㅡThe appearance of Korea naturally melted into the workㅡ- N Seoul Towerㅡ- Bukchon Hanok Villageㅡ- Naksan Park Fortress Trailㅡ- Public Bathhouseㅡ- Oriental Medicine Clinicㅡ- Appearance of the Subway
Yoo Jae-suk – While watching, it’s so detailed and delicate… Did you study that much?
Maggie Kang – I came to Korea to do research. Starting from Jeju Island and going all the way to Seoul, I visited places directly, investigated, and took photos. There were many team members who had never been to Korea. We ate food together, smelled the scents of Korea, went to those places, and felt the atmosphere. It’s different from seeing it in photos, right? I visited to know the local feel of a space like Bukchon.
ㅡThe director who recorded while walking everywhere on two feet to express Korea
Maggie Kang – When I came to Korea for research this time, it was my first time going to Bukchon. I realized for the first time that the road is so narrow and the hill is steep. And I felt that the bricks and patterns were diverse and special, and I wanted to show that exactly in the movie.
ㅡDetails that look like Korea was moved there, completed after much research and effortㅡ- COEX Outdoor Electronic Displayㅡ- N Seoul Towerㅡ- Jamsil Comprehensive Stadium
The Harmonization of Korea’s Traditional Culture, K-Pop, and Fandom
Yoo Jae-suk – In the work, K-pop, Korean traditional culture, and fandom culture are well harmonized, so you get fully immersed while watching.
ㅡThe role of Gwi-ma, the king of evil spirits = Actor Lee Byung-hun
Yoo Jae-suk – His voice is so cool. He is someone whose charisma overflows even in his voice.
ㅡLee Byung-hun, who overwhelmed the movie with a charismatic voice
Maggie Kang – When I met Lee Byung-hun, it really didn’t feel real. He is an actor representing Korea. The moment he started reading the lines, we were all in awe. His voice was charming and his presence was definite. It was a great honor to be able to work together, and the fact that Lee Byung-hun joined gave the feeling that this work was a true “Korean movie.”
Jo Se-ho – Did the director also do voice acting?
Maggie Kang -ㅡRole 1 – Flight attendant pouring coffee into a flowerpot on a planeㅡRole 2 – An evil spirit crying in the afterlifeㅡRole 3 – Narration when the Spirit Gate disappears
ㅡBesides that, many Korean actors participated as voice actorsㅡ-Saja Boys leader Jin-woo = Actor Ahn Hyo-seopㅡ-Mentor Celine who created Huntress = Actress Kim Yun-jinㅡ-Young Rumi = Director’s daughter Rumiㅡ-Ji-young Yoo, Mae Hong, Arden Cho.
ㅡ<K-DeHun> where Koreans mainly participated in production
Yoo Jae-suk – There are scenes where the director’s detail is felt, and there were points that really gave me goosebumps while watching.
ㅡ1. The lady met at Naksan Park is wearing a sun visor!!! Above all, the expression inside the sun visor!ㅡ2. Putting down a napkin and placing cutlery (Korean characteristic)ㅡ3. Sitting on the floor despite having a sofaㅡ4. Perfect historical verification of clothing without a sense of season during the change of seasons
Yoo Jae-suk – There were points while watching that really gave me goosebumps.
Maggie Kang – Those details weren’t done by me alone. There were many Korean artists in each department. For example, in a dinner scene, if the positions of the soup and rice are switched, a staff member says, “The positions of the rice and soup are swapped.” Then I say, “Yes, I’ll change that.” It is the result of the Korean crew making it together.
Jo Se-ho – Did the director’s husband also participate in the design?
Maggie Kang – He designed Duffy.
Yoo Jae-suk – Details that could be taken care of because of many people’s ideas. Experience in Korea during childhood must have melted into the work?
Maggie Kang – I remember going to the bathhouse a lot. The Oriental medicine clinic too! Saja Boys busk in Myeong-dong for their debut, but busking usually happens in Hongdae. However, the reason I made the debut place Myeong-dong is because I was born in Myeong-dong. And my parents also met while working at a company, and that company is also in Myeong-dong. Myeong-dong is a place with a lot of meaning to me, so I wanted to show it.
ㅡExperiences seen and felt in Korea during childhood were deeply melted into the work.ㅡSearch volume related to Korea on Google exploded 10 timesㅡHoly site pilgrimages to <K-DeHun> trending among foreignersㅡTransaction volume for public bathhouse experience products increased by 84%ㅡThe Oriental medicine clinic that was the actual background increased from 6,000 to 20,000 monthly visitorsㅡRiding the ‘K-DeHun’ boom… National Museum of Korea visitors jumped 2-fold in one yearㅡ‘K-DeHun Fever’ National Museum of Korea visitors exceeded 4.07 million.
Production Period of <K-Pop Demon Hunters>
Yoo Jae-suk – It seems like it took a long time for the director to conceive and produce it?
Maggie Kang– It took 7 years. In the meantime, my kid grew up a lot, haha.
Yoo Jae-suk – During the 20 years of doing animation work, you invested 7 years in making <K-DeHun>. How did you feel when it was released after 7 years?
Maggie Kang – We waited until the release time. Tears just started flowing. When I turned on Netflix and watched the movie… tears just came out. Because I was so happy.
Yoo Jae-suk – “<K-Pop Demon Hunters> is a tribute and a love letter to Korea and K-pop culture that I love and am proud of, and it is a movie that expresses my Korean roots.”
Maggie Kang – Honestly, I worried a lot while making the movie. ‘Will Koreans acknowledge this movie?’, ‘Am I qualified to make a movie like this?’
Yoo Jae-suk – Why?
Maggie Kang – Because I didn’t live in Korea for long and lived abroad a lot, there’s a bit of that. For people who don’t live in Korea! So I worried, but I’m so grateful because you love it so much. While making a K-pop movie, I wanted to show our culture to the world.
Maggie Kang – Honestly, I am Korean, but I didn’t go to school in Korea and didn’t live in Korea for a long time. Because of that, I thought, ‘Can I make a movie representing Korea?’, ‘Am I qualified for that?’ I had those thoughts.
ㅡA “Love Letter to Korean Culture” written over 7 years while harboring those doubts
Maggie Kang – No one expected this much love. So I’m very grateful to the fans. I didn’t expect this much love. I said this to my husband: “If people don’t like this movie, I won’t make animation anymore.” That’s because I poured all my heart into it, and I’m deeply moved to receive this much love.
Yoo Jae-suk – You received love from many people from your first work, you must be happy but on the other hand, you must have many thoughts. How do you feel?
Maggie Kang – I have many thoughts. I think the pressure to do well on the next work is big.
Yoo Jae-suk – Stories about Season 2 are already coming out, aren’t they?
Maggie Kang – Is that so?
Yoo Jae-suk – Of course, Season 2 must happen.
Jo Se-ho – Wouldn’t it be fun to have a scene where Huntress appears on You Quiz?
Yoo Jae-suk – Is there a message you wanted to convey through the work?
Maggie Kang – I want to give a message of defeating the fear within me and finding confidence in myself.
Maggie Kang – Rumi had an evil spirit pattern that she had to hide, and Jin-woo has fear inside him. What I wanted to say through the two characters is that everyone has parts they want to hide in their hearts, but the message is ‘You must always make an effort to overcome it.’ I wanted to say that even if we can’t completely eliminate our anxiety and fear, we must grow the inner strength to acknowledge them.
