K-Pop Demon Hunters Creator Rejects Live-Action Adaptation

Maggie Kang, creator of Netflix’s record-breaking animated film K-Pop Demon Hunters, has ruled out a live-action version of the movie. In a recent BBC interview, Kang said the story’s tone and comedic elements are best suited for animation and that a live-action adaptation would not capture the film’s spirit.

Since its late June release, K-Pop Demon Hunters has become Netflix’s most-watched movie and a cultural phenomenon, generating buzz that includes game collaborations, such as its addition to Fortnite by Epic Games.

Not only the film the soundtracks even made history as the first to have four songs simultaneously in the Billboard Hot 100 top 10, with lead single “Golden” holding the No. 1 spot for eight weeks. A sing-along theatrical version in August earned $18 million in one weekend.

Animated Format Enables Exaggerated Action and Comedy

The story follows Huntr/x, a K-pop girl group whose members secretly fight demons, pitted against the rival Saja Boys, who are also demons. Kang co-wrote and co-directed the film with Chris Appelhans, who emphasized that animation allows for more extreme and imaginative action than live action could achieve.

“One of the great things about animation is that you make these composites of impossibly great attributes,” Appelhans told the BBC, noting that sequences such as a character performing a spinning back-kick mid-air would feel “stilted” in live action.

Netflix and Sony are reportedly in early discussions for a sequel, with Kang expressing interest in continuing the story in animated form. She has said a follow-up could explore the backstories of Huntr/x members Zoey and Mira, beyond the lead vocalist Rumi, whose arc was the focus of the first film.

By keeping the franchise in animation, Kang and Appelhans aim to preserve the film’s unique combination of music, comedy, and fantastical action that has resonated with audiences worldwide.