A Conversation with Director Maggie Kang of

tvN <You Quiz on the Block> Director Maggie Kang of K-Pop: Demon Hunters appeared on the tvN program You Quiz on the Block to share stories about her work. Here is a summary of the conversation. <Golden> Maggie Kang’s Childhood 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. Ever since I started, I wanted to see an animation that captures Korean culture. As a Korean! Korea makes and loves animation so much, so I thought, ‘I wish there was a movie that represents our country!’ and ‘If such a project comes out, I want to work on it.’ I waited until it came out, but it didn’t. So, after becoming a supervisor and reaching a position where I could be a director, I thought, ‘Then should I try making it?’ Then an idea came to me. It seemed like people abroad didn’t know much about Korea’s Grim Reaper (Jeoseung Saja) or Goblin (Dokkaebi) images. Those images from folklore naturally connected to the idea of ‘Demon Hunters’ who fight evil spirits.” The director who recorded everywhere by walking on her own two feet to express Korea. Maggie Kang: “When I came to Korea for the field trip this time, it was my first time in Bukchon. I realized for the first time that the streets are so narrow and the hills are steep. And I felt the bricks and patterns were diverse and special, so I wanted to show that in the movie exactly as it is.” Details that look as if Korea was moved into the screen, completed after much research and effort: The Harmony of Korea’s Traditional Culture, K-pop, and FandomYoo Jae-suk: “K-pop, traditional Korean culture, and fandom culture are well-harmonized in the work, so you get completely immersed while watching.” <K-De-Heon>, produced mainly by Koreans.Yoo Jae-suk: “There are scenes where your attention to detail is felt; there were points that really gave me goosebumps while watching.” Production Period of <K-Pop: Demon Hunters> Yoo Jae-suk: “It must have taken quite a while to plan and produce, Director?” Maggie Kang: “It took 7 years. In the meantime, my kid grew up so much, haha.” Yoo Jae-suk: “Investing 7 years into making K-De-Heon out of 20 years in animation. How did you feel when it was finally released after 7 years?” Maggie Kang: “We waited until the release time. I just started crying. Watching the movie on Netflix… I just cried. 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, which I love and am proud of, and it’s a movie that expresses my Korean roots.” Maggie Kang: “Honestly, I worried a lot while making the movie. ‘Will Koreans accept 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 that 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 there for long. Because of that, I thought, ‘Can I make a movie that represents Korea?’, ‘Am I qualified for that?’”

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