The Netflix movie is gaining worldwide popularity, and directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans shared their thoughts on the enthusiastic response.

In the Netflix movie , a story unfolds surrounding the wildly popular K-pop idol group 'HuntRix' and their rival group 'Lion Boys.' 'HuntRix' is not an ordinary idol; they are 'Hunters' who, with their own voices, create 'HwanMoon,' a shield to protect the world from evil spirits. The fresh concept that all members of their rivals, 'Lion Boys,' are composed of evil spirits captivated viewers worldwide.

In particular, the unforgettable music reminiscent of actual K-pop, such as 'Golden,' 'Soda Pop,' and 'Takedown,' along with traditional Korean elements and details reflecting Korean culture throughout the work, has garnered attention, recording a 96% score on the Rotten Tomatoes TomatoMeter.

Regarding the warm response to , director Maggie Kang said, ' is the first animated film addressing Korean culture set in modern Korea, and it is significant that both the voice cast and vocal performances were cast with Korean talents. I am very proud to realize the goal I dreamed of since I started my career and to share this experience with the cast.'

Co-director Chris Appelhans added, 'I wanted to create a film filled with fun and trends, with bold action. At the same time, I aimed to capture the moment and feeling where a truly great song captivates people’s hearts, neutralizing all discrimination and darkness in the world, even weakening the demons that dwell within us.'

The following are their full remarks.

Since childhood, I have always wanted to watch animated films that showcase Korean culture while being set against the backdrop of various Asian cultures. So I embarked on a journey to create a film that showcases the beautiful aspects of Korea's cultural heritage, while also moving the hearts of people worldwide, including myself. The first thought that came to mind was Korea's rich mythology, particularly dealing with demons in a supernatural world, which is different from what is commonly portrayed in the media. While thinking about evil spirits, the idea of demon hunters emerged, leading me to imagine a fantastic group of female warriors secretly defeating villains and saving the world. Fortunately, this idea became an opportunity to present a new type of female superhero: cool and strong yet flawed and imperfect, who loves to eat and tends to overindulge—almost like a naive being. This was the kind of female figure I have always wanted to see on screen.

This film was inspired by the immense influence that Korean culture has accumulated in the entertainment sector in recent years, including K-pop, Korean films, and dramas. is the first animated film addressing Korean culture set in modern Korea, and it is significant that both the voice cast and vocal performances were cast with Korean talents. I am very proud to realize the goal I dreamed of since I started my career and to share this experience with the cast.

While making the film, many artists who were unfamiliar with Korean culture or K-pop expressed how deeply they resonated with the characters and music in the film, which was truly touching. It also reminded us why we are making this film. There doesn’t seem to be anything that shows how similar we all are, regardless of our backgrounds and the languages we speak, as much as films do. We all possess anxiety and shame, and we are beings seeking connections with others. - Maggie Kang

Maggie and I started planning this movie during the COVID-19 pandemic. Globally, we were isolated, and it was hard to find interaction between people. Yet, BTS held an online concert, and millions worldwide, including us, suddenly began singing and dancing to 'Dynamite' in their homes. For a moment, it felt like the world brightened a little.

We wanted to create a film filled with fun and trends and bold action that one might expect from a work like . At the same time, we wanted to capture the moment and feeling where a truly great song captivates people's hearts, neutralizing all discrimination and darkness in the world, and even weakening the demons that dwell within us.

I hope you can feel a part of the experience that BTS offered us years ago, through the journey of the characters in the film and the songs they sing. - Chris Appelhans

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