KPop Demon Hunters: Sequel Hopes & No Live-Action Plans

Get the inside scoop from the creators of Netflix's animated sensation, "Kpop Demon Hunters," on future Huntr/x adventures and why they're putting their foot down about a live-action remake.

TL;DR

"KPop Demon Hunters" creators Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans are super keen to tell more animated stories about Huntr/x, potentially diving into the group's origins.
But don't hold your breath for a live-action version! Both directors strongly believe the unique magic of the film just wouldn't translate outside of animation.
The movie became Netflix's most-watched animated film, smashing viewing records, and its soundtrack turned into a global chart-topping phenomenon, featuring platinum hits like "Golden."

Remember that feeling when you first watched "KPop Demon Hunters" on Netflix? The dazzling dance moves, the catchy tunes, and the epic demon-fighting action by Huntr/x? Well, it turns out you weren't the only one captivated. Since its June debut, this animated musical has absolutely blown up, becoming one of Netflix's most-watched movies and launching its soundtrack to global stardom. Naturally, fans are buzzing about what's next, and the film's brilliant creators, Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, have dropped some exciting (and definitive!) hints about the future of Rumi, Mira, and Zoey.

While the demand for more Huntr/x adventures is at an all-time high, there's one thing the directors are making crystal clear: a live-action remake is a definite no-go. Let's dive into why they're sticking to their animated guns and what potential animated goodness might be heading our way!

Why Huntr/x Is Absolutely Staying Animated for Future Epic Adventures

In an era where Hollywood seems obsessed with turning every beloved animated story into a live-action version (with mixed results, let's be honest!), "KPop Demon Hunters" creators Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans are taking a firm stand. They are resolutely against bringing Huntr/x to live-action, and their reasons make a lot of sense.

Kang, who co-wrote and co-directed the film, explained to the BBC that the movie's unique tone and comedic elements are perfectly suited for animation. "It's really hard to imagine these characters in a live-action world," she said, adding, "It would feel too grounded. So totally it wouldn't work for me."

Her co-director, Chris Appelhans, totally agrees. He pointed out that animation allows for "composites of impossibly great attributes." Think about Rumi, for example: "Rumi can be this goofy comedian and then singing and doing a spinning back-kick a second later and then free-falling through the sky," Appelhans shared. "The joy of animation is how far you can push and elevate what's possible." He noted that many live-action anime adaptations often feel "stilted," a pitfall he clearly wants to avoid for "KPop Demon Hunters."

"There's so many elements of the tone and the comedy that are so suited for animation. It's really hard to imagine these characters in a live-action world. It would feel too grounded. So totally it wouldn't work for me."

— Maggie Kang, Creator & Co-Director of "KPop Demon Hunters"

This strong stance isn't just about creative preference; it's a defense of animation as a powerful storytelling medium in its own right. As one report put it, Kang's "refusal also symbolizes a bigger cultural point. Not every successful property has to be stripped down and repackaged into a form that Hollywood believes is more ‘marketable.’ Sometimes the best version of a story is the first one." It seems for Huntr/x, the first version is already the best version, and they're sticking to it.

Could a KPop Demon Hunters Animated Sequel Be Headed Our Way Soon?

While a live-action movie is out, the good news is that animated sequels are definitely on Maggie Kang's mind! Even though nothing is officially greenlit yet, the movie's massive success makes a continuation highly likely. Netflix and Sony are reportedly in talks with Kang and Appelhans about a potential follow-up.

Kang believes there's "definitely more we can do with these characters in this world." She's expressed a desire for any sequel to be "a story that deserves to be a sequel, and it will be something that we want to see." One exciting possibility she's floated is exploring the untold histories of Huntr/x's members: Rumi, Mira, and Zoey.

"This was Rumi's story," Kang explained in an interview, "and we have backstories for Zoey and Mira – ones that we actually put in the movie, but it just kind of rejected it. It just wasn't the movie for those stories." A sequel could finally give fans a deeper dive into how these K-pop idols became demon hunters. Arden Cho, who voices Rumi, also hopes a sequel could revisit Jinu's fate after his sacrifice in the first film, teasing that "anything is possible" in their magical world.

The first film took a grueling seven years to bring to life, with Kang admitting, "It was a hard movie to put together, we didn't stop writing until the scenes were locked." If a sequel does get the green light soon, fans might realistically expect "KPop Demon Hunters 2" to arrive sometime between 2027 and 2028. We'll be waiting with bated breath!

Behind the Scenes: Crafting the KPop Demon Hunters Phenomenon

Before it became a global hit, "KPop Demon Hunters" was a passion project co-produced by Sony Pictures Animation. The movie follows the wildly popular K-pop girl group Huntr/x – featuring leader Rumi, alongside Mira and Zoey – who secretly use their music, dance moves, and magical powers to battle soul-eating demons and protect the world. One of their biggest challenges comes from a rival boy band, the Saja Boys, who are actually demons in disguise. But Rumi herself carries a secret that could threaten the whole group.

Bringing these characters to life was a "brutal" casting process, according to producer Michelle Wong. They searched globally for talent that was Korean, bilingual, and could sing at an incredibly high, emotional level, a mix of musical theater and pop. Despite pressure from the studios (Sony and Netflix) for "name talent," the filmmakers were determined to find the right voices. The final casting came down to the wire, with voice recording wrapping early this year ahead of the June premiere.

Here's a quick look at the talented voices behind Huntr/x:

Rumi: Arden Cho (spoken dialogue), Ejae (singing voice)
Mira: May Hong (spoken dialogue), Audrey Nuna (singing voice)
Zoey: Ji-young Yoo (spoken dialogue), Rei Ami (singing voice)

The singing trio of Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami didn't even perform together until their live debut of "Golden" on "The Tonight Show," a performance that was quickly followed by a "crash" on "Saturday Night Live." Animation director Joshua Beveridge recalled a moment during production when the audio and animation crews started saying, "Rumi is such a Rumi! Mira is such a Mira!" realizing the magic they were capturing.

Maggie Kang's own background played a huge role in the film's unique global appeal. Born in Korea and moving to Canada at age five, she had an "equal education on both Korean and North American pop culture." She even shared that she would often write character dialogue in Korean first and then translate it to English, ensuring the characters felt authentically Korean. This dual cultural perspective, along with the collaboration with Broadway executive music producer Ian Eisendrath, helped craft songs that were not just catchy but deeply rooted in the characters and their stories, making them "timeless."

Chart-Topping Hits and the Unstoppable Global Impact of the Soundtrack

Beyond its impressive viewership, the "KPop Demon Hunters" soundtrack became a cultural phenomenon all its own. It shattered numerous records on Netflix and dominated the Billboard charts, making history as the first soundtrack album to have four songs in the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Key hits from the soundtrack include:

"Golden": This breakout single spent an incredible eight weeks and counting at No. 1.
"Your Idol"
"Soda Pop"

The movie's immense popularity even led to a limited theatrical run featuring special sing-along screenings, which impressively grossed $18 million in just one weekend! Its appeal stretched far beyond the streaming platform, resonating hugely in South Korea thanks to its clever nods to Korean folklore, pop culture, and daily habits. The directors themselves were surprised by the overwhelming fan reaction during a trip to South Korea, experiencing an "idol's welcome" with people chanting their names and even crying – a testament to how deeply fans connected with Huntr/x and their world.

So, while we might not see our favorite demon-hunting K-pop stars in live-action anytime soon, the animated future of Huntr/x looks incredibly bright. The dedication of Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans to preserving the unique spirit of their creation means that any future stories will undoubtedly continue to deliver the vibrant, action-packed, and musical magic that fans around the world have come to adore.

FAQ

KPop Demon Hunters: Why a Sequel Is Likely, But Live-Action Isn't Happening image 3

Where can I watch "KPop Demon Hunters"? "KPop Demon Hunters" is currently streaming exclusively on Netflix. Will there be a "KPop Demon Hunters" sequel? While nothing is officially confirmed, creators Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans have expressed strong interest and are developing story ideas for animated sequels, potentially exploring the origins of Huntr/x. Why won't "KPop Demon Hunters" get a live-action movie? Both Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans firmly believe that the film's unique tone, comedy, and ability to showcase "impossibly great attributes" of its characters are best suited for animation. They feel a live-action adaptation would feel "too grounded" and "stilted," losing the original magic. Who are the main characters of Huntr/x? The main characters of the K-pop group Huntr/x are Rumi (leader), Mira, and Zoey. Their singing voices are Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami, respectively, while their spoken dialogue is voiced by Arden Cho, May Hong, and Ji-young Yoo.