KPop Demon Hunters: How This Animated Film Hits The Right Notes With Korean Culture And Action

Following the great success of the Spider-Verse films, Sony Pictures Animation returns with a new animated adventure called Kpop Demon Hunters. This film, which will be available on Netflix on June 20, follows a girl group known as Huntrix. They must balance their burgeoning celebrity with their covert employment as demon hunters. They defend the world by combining the power of song and amazing magical female action to keep their followers safe from a demon invasion. I think just this setup sounds like a lot of fun.

Rumi, Mira, and Zoey, the voices of the Huntrix trio, spoke out before of its release. Arden Cho, May Hong, and Ji-young Yoo discussed their feelings about appearing in the film. They discussed the significance of Asian representation in animation and how difficult it was to bring these everyday, demon-hunting pop stars to life. It's always intriguing to hear what the actors think about their job. I appreciated hearing their perspectives on this interesting endeavor.

When asked what inspired them to star in KPop Demon Hunters, Arden Cho simply stated that she enjoyed the concept. She is a K-pop enthusiast herself. She liked the notion of three cool and strong Asian Americans, particularly Korean Americans, as lead characters. She stated she loved the story and was thrilled to be involved. May Hong, who plays Mira, said she likes how tough Mira appears to be but is actually delicate and compassionate. Hong also refers to Mira's faithfulness. Ji-young Yoo, who plays Zoey, is an avid K-pop lover who enjoys voiceover work. For her, this film represented the best of both worlds. She stated that the title alone made her friends smile, which is a fair indication of how entertaining the film is. I agree. The title itself piques interest.

Unusual Inspirations: How KPop Demon Hunters Combines K-Pop and Classic Action

From Sailor Moon to Cowboy Bebop, the voice actors reveal what shapes their characters.

The actors were asked if their characters were inspired by K-pop or supernatural shows. Arden Cho focused on Rumi's experiences. Rumi goes through so much in the film. Cho refused to reveal too many spoilers, but he did say Rumi has a long trip ahead of her. She viewed Rumi as a companion, a sister to the girls, a leader, and a slayer. Cho grew up enjoying shows with strong female protagonists. Buffy, the Vampire Slayer, was her favorite. She wanted Rumi to be both strong and steady, as well as sweet and charming. She also cited K-pop groups such as Blackpink and Aespa, wishing Rumi could be cool like them. She believes the music and worldbuilding exceeded her expectations. She believes she can't take credit for it. It was a world designed for them.

May Hong thought a lot about Sailor Moon. She had seen it as a child and was thrilled to notice the parallels. She had always wanted to be Sailor Jupiter. She stated that Mira is a distinct version of Sailor Jupiter. Hong believed the hidden identities were amusing. She saw how the characters changed and looked the same yet wore various outfits. She also regarded Cowboy Bebop as a major influence. Hong reflected on how the music in that show is thoroughly integrated into the tale and how vital it is to the sound and visuals. She believes KPop Demon Hunters is a good combination of those two elements.

Ji-young Yoo didn't have any distinct research topics. She believed that the film's tone was so fresh that references were unnecessary. However, when she discussed it with her pals, she discovered she had some notions in the back of her mind. She grew up watching Totally Spy and Kim Possible. She believes Zoey possesses attributes similar to Starfire from the original Teen Titans. Yoo is a huge admirer of BTS. She was curious if Jujutsu Kaisen affected her performance. The two shows are about exorcising demons, however KPop Demon Hunters is not nearly as dark. She wants people to watch the movie and let her know whether they notice the effect.

Behind The Scenes: The Fun of Voice Acting for Animated Characters.

Recording sessions can provide unexpectedly funny and awkward moments.

The film does an excellent job of capturing both the beauty of the idol culture and the ridiculous, almost "gremlin" side of the females. When they are unhappy with each other, they become extremely comical. The actors discussed this unusual animation style. They frequently did the voiceover first, followed by Sony Pictures' animated expressions to match their vocals. Arden Cho recalls her first few sessions, where they only did the voice but were also filmed. She felt a little shy about it.

Cho chuckled, adding she'd show up in her jammies and no makeup. The cameras were then put up. She would think, "Oh no, what's going on!" And they would remark, "Oh no, it's just for art!" to which she would respond, "Yes, art." Ji-young Yoo also laughed. She assumed the chibi look was always planned. She would occasionally finish a line, however. They would respond, "We should take note of that. "Whatever face she made was perfect." Yoo stated she wasn't sure she liked it. Cho believed that the more bizarre and ugly the animation became, the better. She claims it makes it enjoyable. They do not need to be hesitant about it. After feeling embarrassed at first, she grew to accept it.

The actors stated that they simply show up, and the animation crew makes it awesome. Cho felt silly making eating sounds. Those were difficult for her. She ate a lot, but they preferred funnier mouth noises. She said that when you are eating, you do not make those sounds to make it more amusing. May Hong claimed that he ran a lot and was out of breath. She stated she felt the most stupid while doing laps. She occasionally had to do three more laps to sound completely out of breath. Everyone would watch her go in circles for a time. Cho stated all of the action moments were goofy and enjoyable. Rumi has some adorable romantic moments. It seems awkward to do voiceovers alone. But the overall product is stunning. Hong also highlighted the fence in front of the microphone. She would hold it and run in place, as if it were an exercise. Yoo stated that it resembles a miniature ballet bar. You can rely on it. She even climbed to the top of it once. Cho recalls days of eating a much and making noises. Then there's a lot of jumping for action sequences. She jokingly compared it to the saying about not swimming shortly after eating. It was all fun.

Why KPop Demon Hunters is Important for Korean Representation in Animation

More than just action: the film's deep cultural roots and relatable struggles.

The film does a wonderful job at portraying the culture. It goes beyond the appearance of K-pop and activity. Its storytelling focuses on Korean roots. Arden Cho believes it is really special that the creators are appreciative of Korean culture. This is reflected in the food, city, and universe they created. It's fantastic to witness how expansive and lovely the universe of KPop Demon Hunters is. It is also exciting to see these young women. They are Korean, yet they are also just ladies dealing with everyday issues. Hong laughed and added that she enjoys the universal agony and suffering in it. She initially questioned if it was Korean, but soon realized it applied to everyone.

Cho stated that the film clearly touched on identity struggles and the question of "Who am I really?" "Am I hiding something?" She related to Rumi's challenges as a Korean American. She believes that in itself is highly relatable. It is also unique in that it incorporates so much of Korean culture, history, and origin. Hong noted that the film depicts Seoul as beautiful, as it is in real life. Even though it is a fictional version, she hopes it inspires people to visit Seoul.

The directors also intended to portray women in a different light. They wanted the females to be hilarious, silly, foolish, and sloppy. But also cool, inspirational, and appealing. They attempted to combine several tones, similar to how Bong Joon Ho approaches his films. His films are both humorous and dark. They wanted to include that in their film. Josh Beveridge, the head of character animation, explained that the three main girls' on- and off-stage characteristics allowed for interesting movements. Rumi is a perfectionist who has a secret. Mira stands tall and moves fluidly. Zoey is the youngest, effervescent offstage, and feisty onstage. These contrasts keep the characters intriguing.

What Could A Sequel To KPop Demon Hunters Look Like?

The voice cast share ideas for their characters' next adventures.

If KPop Demon Hunters has a sequel, the actors have character ideas. Ji-young Yoo stated that she has a precise notion that she has already shared with the directors. Zoey experiences feelings of isolation being the only Asian American in the group. Yoo believes this is something that many people can relate to. She wishes Zoey could find a place where she does not feel so compelled to please others. Zoey spends a lot of time making sure everyone else is fine. Yoo wants Zoey to check in on herself and make sure she's okay. Perhaps it will be the story for the sequel.

Maggie Kang, the director, also discussed her plans to make unique films. She was surprised to be working on one. She didn't believe it till a year ago, expecting everything to change. However, Sony and Netflix were highly supportive of her ideas. She had to struggle for some things, but they were generally supportive. She understands that is not common. She wants to see more films like this, where the creator's ideas come first. The team also desired authentic stories told by a varied range of people. Kang is concerned about less opportunities for individuals of color to advance in animation. She believes there is a dearth of training and assistance. She conducts online courses to discuss what is necessary for storyboard artists, as she did not completely understand her job until five years ago. When she first started, people would gather to discuss. That is how you advance to supervisor or director. She believes the connection is less often these days.

Kang's experience directing KPop Demon Hunters demonstrated the importance of telling varied stories in animation. She feels a lot of pressure since she symbolizes the entire community. She has received messages from people who disagree with her decisions. At first, it was difficult for her. But she came to a place where she just had to make a movie she believed in. She thinks it is important for everyone to know that people have different connections to their culture. You will not represent things exactly the same way as someone else. This just means we need more Movies about every culture. I think that is a powerful message. It means there is room for many stories and many voices.