Maggie Kang credits Bong Joon-ho as biggest influence behind ‘KPop Demon Hunters’

Maggie Kang, director of “KPop Demon Hunters,” attends the opening ceremony of the 30th Busan International Film Festival at the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae District, Busan, Wednesday. Yonhap

Director Maggie Kang, who helmed Netflix’s global hit “KPop Demon Hunters,” said her biggest cinematic influence came from Korean auteur Bong Joon-ho.

“Bong has had the greatest impact on me as a filmmaker,” Kang said during an open talk event for the sing-along screening of “KPop Demon Hunters” at the Busan International Film Festival on Sept. 21.

“When I watched his film ‘The Host,’ I realized for the first time that a single film could mix so many tones and genres. That discovery shaped how I approached my own movie, which blends musical, romance, comedy, horror and action.”

Kang, who also cited Japanese master Akira Kurosawa as a favorite, recalled watching “The Host” with her father. “My dad was a bigger cinephile than I was. Seeing it together on Christmas made it even more memorable. Among Bong’s films, I like ‘Memories of Murder’ the most,” she said.

Kang explained why she infused her directorial debut with Korean culture by saying, “After working in Hollywood for more than a decade, one of my goals was to contribute to a film that reflected Korean culture. But that kind of project rarely existed. When Korean music, movies and dramas started gaining global attention, I knew the timing was right."

“The idea began with shamans, grim reapers, goblins and water spirits — things I wanted to see onscreen. K-pop was added later, and that combination became ‘Demon Hunters.’”

The film’s soundtrack has also resonated worldwide, topping both the Billboard singles and albums charts. Kang named “Golden” as her favorite track. “It wasn’t just about making a good song. I wanted the music to reflect the characters and the story,” she said.

Maggie Kang greets the audience after an open talk about her film at the Busan Cinema Center outdoor stage during the 30th Busan International Film Festival, Sunday. Newsis

Creating new icons for a new generation

What touches her most, Kang said, are reactions from young audiences. “When parents tell me their daughters identify with the female characters, that makes me happy,” she said. “In a way, we created someone’s Sailor Moon, someone’s Little Mermaid, someone’s Disney princess. These are characters children can grow up with and call their own.”

She also addressed concerns about portraying K-pop idols. “I didn’t personally know idols or hear their stories firsthand, so I was careful. But I believed the themes would resonate universally. Everyone has a side they show on social media and another they hide — idols are no different in that respect,” Kang said.

Kang closed with words for those dreaming of careers in film or music. “Embrace your individuality and don’t be afraid. I was terrified making this film, constantly wondering if people would like it or if I was going in the right direction. It took time to overcome those doubts,” she said. “It’s okay to feel fear, but push through it, find confidence and be unafraid to be different.”

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.