KPop Demon Hunters co-directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans say they don’t want a live-action movie version of the project, arguing that the story and tone are built for animation and would lose something essential if translated into a more realistic format.
The creators say a live-action version “wouldn’t work”
In comments reported by Entertainment Weekly and the Los Angeles Times (drawing from their BBC interview), Kang said it’s difficult to imagine these characters in a live-action world because it would feel “too grounded,” adding that it “wouldn’t work” for her.
Appelhans echoed the same view in the coverage, reinforcing that the animation format is part of what makes the characters and their on-screen shifts feel natural.
Why they think animation is the right fit
The directors’ main point is that animation lets them combine qualities that don’t always translate cleanly to a more “real-world” look. In the same reporting, Appelhans described animation as a medium where you can push and elevate what’s possible without it feeling stiff, while Kang pointed to how the project’s tone and comedy are closely tied to the animated style.
What they have said about future stories
While shutting down live-action, Kang has also said there’s potential to tell more stories in this world, but only if it’s a sequel idea they genuinely want to make. The Los Angeles Times notes there’s nothing officially confirmed, even though the idea of continuing the story has been discussed publicly.
Why the live-action question came up in the first place
The live-action chatter arrived alongside major popularity milestones. Netflix’s own Tudum reporting says KPop Demon Hunters became the platform’s most popular film of all time, citing more than 236 million views. Other outlets also reported on the same record-setting view count.
