The animated smash hit KPop Demon Hunters might be Netflix’s biggest sensation of the year, but its own creator says turning it into a live-action flick would be a huge mistake.
The film — which dropped on August 23 — follows a squad of global K-pop idols who moonlight as demon-busting heroes. Fans around the world couldn’t get enough, sending it soaring to the top of Netflix’s charts and making it the most-watched film in the streamer’s history. Sing-along cinema screenings even helped rake in a jaw-dropping $20 million (£14.9 million) in one weekend.
But despite the record-breaking success, director Maggie Kang has no interest in seeing real actors step into her animated world. Speaking to the BBC, she didn’t hold back: “So much of the humor and tone only works in animation. I just can’t picture these characters in live-action—it would lose the magic.”
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Co-director Chris Appelhans backed her up, saying that the film’s wild mix of music, martial arts, and over-the-top visuals could only exist in animation. “In cartoons, you can have someone crack a joke, sing their heart out, and then kick a demon through the clouds seconds later,” he said. “That’s the fun of it—you can go way beyond reality.”
While the live-action idea might not fly, the team is already buzzing about an animated sequel. Kang teased that nothing’s official yet, but hinted there’s “definitely more story to tell” with their K-pop heroes.
For now, KPop Demon Hunters is eyeing awards season glory — and could even help K-pop make history with its first-ever Grammy nod.
