Despite its record-breaking global success, the creators of KPop Demon Hunters have firmly closed the door on any live-action adaptation of their hit animated film.
Director and co-writer Maggie Kang told the BBC:
“There are so many elements of tone and comedy that are so suited to animation. It’s really hard to imagine these characters in a live-action world. It would feel too grounded. So it absolutely wouldn’t work for me.”
Released at the end of June, K‑Pop Demon Hunters it has become a cultural phenomenon. It is now the most watched Netflix film of all time and its soundtrack has broken all records. Lead track “Golden” holds the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for eight consecutive weeks, while the album became the first soundtrack ever to chart four songs in the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 simultaneously. A special sing-along stage version released in August grossed $18 million in one weekend.
The film follows Huntr/x, a fictional K-pop girl group whose three members lead double lives as demon hunters, battling the demonic boy group Saja Boys. The film blends fast-paced action, irreverent humor and groundbreaking fantasy, elements that Kang and co-director Chris Appelhans say only work in animation.
“One of the coolest things about animation is that you can make these composites with incredibly large attributes,” Appelhans said.
“Rumi can be this goofy comedian and then sing and do a spin kick a second later and then free fall into the sky.”
He added, “The joy of animation is how far you can push it and elevate what’s possible. A lot of live-action anime adaptations just feel contrived.”
Despite rumors of a cinematic expansion, the creators remain clear: the future of KPop Demon Hunters it’s in the animation. Netflix and Sony are reportedly in talks for a sequel, and Kang has expressed strong interest in expanding the universe through future animated projects.
“This was Rumi’s story,” Kang told Variety. “But we built backstories for Zoey and Mira. There’s so much more to tell — we just didn’t have time in 85 minutes.”
K‑Pop Demon Hunters is currently streaming worldwide on Netflix, and discussions about sequels are already generating excitement among fans eager to dive deeper into the demon-slaying K-pop universe.
Sources: BBC, Variety
