Forget live-action—KPop Demon Hunters is staying fully animated, and fans couldn’t be more excited. Netflix’s hit musical has smashed records, but creator Maggie Kang made it clear she has zero plans to bring the fictional K-pop group HUNTR/X into the real world. “The tone and comedy are made for animation,” she told the BBC. “Putting these characters in live action would feel way too grounded—it just wouldn’t work.”
Co-director Chris Appelhans backed her up, adding that animation lets them push the story farther than live action ever could. Past anime-to-live-action attempts? “A little stilted,” he said.
But don’t worry—more adventures in the animated universe are on the way. Maggie teased, “There’s so much more we can do with these characters. Whatever comes next, it’ll deserve to be a sequel and it’s something we actually want to see.”
The Netflix smash has made stars of EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami, who are all ready for a potential follow-up. “We’re waiting for the call,” Audrey joked. EJAE added, “Stay tuned.”
And fame hasn’t sunk in yet. “Every day it’s a new milestone, a new record,” Rei admitted. “We’re grateful, honored, but still processing it all.” The hype is real, and fans are already counting down what’s next in the animated K-pop universe.
