Oscar Double Winner 'K-Pop Demon Hunters' Team: "A Stage Echoing with Pansori, Unforgettable for Life"

Academy Award Press Conference: "Korean Culture Is the Soul of the Film"
Lee Jae: "From Being Teased as a Child to Singing on the Oscar Stage... It Brought Tears to My Eyes"
Director Maggie Kang: "The Sequel Will Be Bigger and More Special Than the

Director Maggie Kang (left) and singer-songwriter Lee Jae pose at the press conference commemorating the Academy Award win of the Netflix film "K-Pop Demon Hunters" held at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 1st. Photo by Yonhap News

The production team of the Netflix film "K-Pop Demon Hunters" visited Korea for the first time after winning two awards—Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song—at the Academy Awards in the United States.

Director Maggie Kang, director Chris Appelhans, singer Lee Jae, and music producers IDO (Yoo Han Lee, Joongkyu Kwak, and Heedong Nam) held a press conference on April 1 at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Seoul to share their thoughts on the awards.

"K-Pop Demon Hunters" is an action-fantasy animation in which K-pop stars Lumi, Mira, and Joy act as hidden heroes who protect the world behind the stage. The film created a global sensation with its addictive original soundtrack and detailed representation of Korean culture. After sweeping major awards such as the Critics Choice, Golden Globe, and Grammy Awards, it made history for K-content by winning two categories at the Academy Awards as well.

The Academy Awards performance of the original song opened with Pansori, a traditional Korean music style. Lee Jae recalled, "I cried a lot even during rehearsals." He continued, "As a Korean, I felt immense pride to be able to showcase our traditional music and Pansori on such a grand stage. While I was waiting backstage, just before stepping out, I heard the music and gained confidence."

Although scenes of Hollywood giants like Leonardo DiCaprio and Steven Spielberg waving light sticks went viral, Lee Jae said he did not actually see the audience. "I was so nervous that I deliberately avoided looking at the audience. It was only after the performance that I saw it, and it felt incredible," he said, adding, "I realized this is the power of K-culture."

Singer and composer Jae Lee is posing at the press conference celebrating the Academy Award win of the Netflix film "K-Pop Demon Hunters" held on the afternoon of the 1st at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

This award was especially meaningful for Lee Jae. Having grown up between the United States and Korea, he liked groups like god and H.O.T. as a child but was teased for it. He dreamed of becoming a singer in New York, but there were very few Asians on stage. Lee Jae said, "Even after coming to Korea, living as a trainee, and working on albums, I never imagined K-pop would spread worldwide. I was deeply moved to see everyone holding light sticks as I sang."

There was also a minor incident during the award ceremony. When Yoo Han Lee went to give his acceptance speech for Best Original Song, the signal music began playing, cutting him off. Yoo Han Lee said, "I wanted to thank The Black Label, the members, and executive producer Teddy, but I couldn't, which was disappointing. Still, it was an incredibly honorable moment."

The success of "K-Pop Demon Hunters" was largely thanks to its original soundtrack. In particular, the title track "Golden" swept to No.1 on the Billboard album and singles charts, as well as the UK Official Singles Chart, and went on to win the Golden Globe, Grammy, and Academy Awards for Best Original Song. IDO, who produced "Golden" and "Your Idol," recalled, "Rather than trying to mix K-pop and pop, we focused on letting K-pop naturally blend into the film's soundtrack." He continued, "Being recognized at awards in different fields means that 'K-Pop Demon Hunters' resonated with people on various levels. I will cherish this overwhelming experience as a valuable asset and strive to create music that continues to connect with audiences."

During the press conference, the two directors' affection for Korea also stood out. Maggie Kang, a Korean-American director, explained her motivation: "I grew up watching films like 'Mulan,' which exposed me to Chinese and Japanese cultures, but I never had the chance to experience Korean culture in film. That made me want to create such a movie." She added, "Even though I wasn't born in Korea, I feel proud to be part of Korean culture. I believe that people who belong to both cultures, like Lee Jae and myself, can serve as bridges between them."

On the afternoon of the 1st, a press conference commemorating the Academy Award win of the Netflix film K-Pop Demon Hunters was held at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Chris Appelhans, who said he learned about Korean culture through his Korean wife, remarked, "It wasn't through study or observation, but by living as part of it that I came to understand it naturally." He added, "I'm proud that the pride and strength Koreans have built through their experiences can now be shared with the world."

The sequel to "K-Pop Demon Hunters" was officially announced last month. Director Maggie Kang said, "We currently have a rough idea, but nothing has been finalized yet. Still, it will be a bigger and more special film than the first." Director Appelhans added, "We want to break the rules, push boundaries, and surprise our fans. And, of course, Korean culture will remain at the heart of it all."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.