K-Pop Demon Hunters Director Maggie Kang Addresses Oscar Buzz in First Seoul Visit
Netflix's breakout animated hit sparks Academy Award speculation as Korean-Canadian filmmaker makes triumphant Seoul debut
Maggie Kang never set out to win an Oscar. But as her animated film "K-Pop Demon Hunters" dominates Netflix charts worldwide and industry insiders buzz about Academy Award potential, the Korean-Canadian director finds herself at the center of Hollywood's awards conversation.
During her first visit to Seoul since the film's release, Kang addressed Oscar speculation with characteristic humility at a press conference Thursday at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall.
"Recognition Would Be an Honor"
"I didn't create this work with awards in mind," Kang told Korean media. "If we can receive recognition in any form, especially from the film industry, I think that would be a tremendous honor."
The modest response comes as "Golden," the film's breakout track, has been officially submitted for Best Original Song consideration at the 98th Academy Awards, while industry analysts consider the film a frontrunner for Best Animated Feature.
Seven-Year Journey to Global Success
What started as Kang's personal "love letter to K-pop" took seven years to reach screens. "The longest part was developing the story, because story is the most important element," she explained during the Seoul press conference. "When you watch a movie, even if the visuals are outstanding, you won't keep watching if the story is lacking."
That persistence paid off spectacularly. "K-Pop Demon Hunters" became the first film in Netflix's history to record more than 20 million views in each of its first six weeks, eventually reaching 158.8 million total views and ranking No. 4 on Netflix's most popular English-language films list.
Breaking Records Beyond Streaming
The film's impact extends far beyond viewing numbers. All eight soundtrack tracks broke into Billboard's Hot 100 charts, with "Golden" reaching No. 1. The soundtrack collected more than 1.3 billion streams globally, making it the highest-charting soundtrack of the year, peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard 200.
The cultural phenomenon even caught the attention of BTS member Jungkook, who broke down his thoughts on the movie for fans during a livestream, leading Netflix's social media to change its bio to "Jungkook watched KPop Demon Hunters".
From Seoul to Sony Animation
Born in Seoul and moving to Toronto at age five, Kang spent her childhood summers in Korea, absorbing the pop culture that would later inspire her directorial debut. The film follows fictional girl group Huntr/x as they balance K-pop stardom with secret lives as demon hunters, drawing extensively from Korean mythology.
"I wanted to just make a movie that was set in Korean culture, so I delved into mythology and demonology for something that could be visually unique from what we've seen in mainstream media," Kang previously told Animation Magazine.
Oscar Qualification Strategy
The film qualified for Oscar consideration through a limited theatrical run in Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco from June 20-26, meeting Academy requirements. Netflix positioned "K-Pop Demon Hunters" prominently in its Oscar campaign, making it one of the first films available on the Academy's Screening Room platform for voters.
Awards Season Outlook
With the 98th Academy Awards scheduled for March 15, 2026, and nominations to be announced January 22, 2026, "K-Pop Demon Hunters" faces competition in an increasingly crowded animated field. However, the film's 97% "fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes and universal critical acclaim position it as a serious contender.
Whether Kang's vision of Korean culture through the lens of K-pop and demon hunting translates to Oscar gold remains to be seen. But her Seoul homecoming marks a milestone for a project that began as one director's passion and became a global cultural phenomenon.
As the film continues its remarkable run, Kang's humble approach to potential recognition reflects the authenticity that helped make "K-Pop Demon Hunters" resonate worldwide-proving that sometimes the best stories come from creators who prioritize storytelling over awards.
