Directors are bringing their crew to the 2026 Oscars to celebrate nominations
Film became Netflix's most-watched title after June 2025 release
Directors emphasize collaborative nature of animation process
Hybrid release strategy contributed to film's success
Sequel in development with no confirmed release date yet
📖 Full Retelling
Directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, the creative minds behind the hit animated film 'KPop Demon Hunters,' are bringing their entire crew to the 2026 Academy Awards where their film is nominated for best animated feature and best original song, celebrating the remarkable journey of a project that began seven years ago and became Netflix's most-watched title after its June 2025 release. The film's unprecedented success has catapulted the team into the spotlight, led by EJAE, the film's lead singing voice and songwriter for multiple tracks, while also spawning toy lines, food tie-ins, and a theatrical run for its sing-along companion. 'It's beyond anything I could have ever imagined this concept becoming,' Kang shared with The Hollywood Reporter, emphasizing that the film's achievement is only possible because of the large collaborative team behind it. As the awards season approaches, the directors have secured extra tickets exclusively for their crew, viewing the Oscars as both a reward and an opportunity to collectively celebrate their hard work. The film's journey from greenlight during uncertain COVID-era production to becoming a cultural phenomenon highlights the changing landscape of film distribution and consumption, with the directors noting that the hybrid release strategy—streaming first followed by a limited theatrical run three weeks later—allowed for organic growth and word-of-mouth appreciation that might not have been possible through traditional theatrical release alone.
🏷️ Themes
Film Industry, Awards Recognition, Collaborative Creation
Chris Appelhans is an American film director and illustrator born in Idaho.
He is the writer and director of the 2021 film Wish Dragon and the 2025 film KPop Demon Hunters, serving as co-director with Maggie Kang in the latter. He is also known for illustrating two children's books, A Greyhound, a G...
# Netflix
**Netflix** is an American subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) over-the-top streaming service. It serves as the primary distribution platform for both original and acquired content, including feature films, television series, documentaries, and specials across a vast array of genres and i...
KPop Demon Hunters is a 2025 American animated musical urban fantasy film co-written and directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans. It was produced by Sony Pictures Animation for Netflix and animated by Sony Pictures Imageworks. It stars the voices of Arden Cho, Ahn Hyo-seop, May Hong, Ji-young Yo...
Animation is a filmmaking technique whereby pictures are generated or manipulated to create moving images. In traditional animation, images are drawn or painted by hand on transparent celluloid sheets to be photographed and exhibited on film. Animation has been recognized as an artistic medium, spec...
Maggie Kang (born 1981 or 1982), also known by her Korean name Kang Min-ji (강민지), is a South Korean and Canadian film director. She created and directed KPop Demon Hunters (2025).
Share on Facebook Share on X Google Preferred Share to Flipboard Show additional share options Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on Tumblr Share on Whats App Send an Email Print the Article Post a Comment KPop Demon Hunters directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans are reflecting on their long journey to the Oscars. The film, which was released in June on Netflix , has become the streamer’s most-watched title. The sleeper hit spawned toy lines and food tie-ins, along with a theatrical run for its sing-along companion. “It’s beyond anything I could have ever imagined this concept becoming,” Kang tells The Hollywood Reporter . The film has catapulted the team into the spotlight, led by the film’s lead singing voice and songwriter for multiple songs, EJAE. But Kang and Appelhans are quick to emphasize that the film is only possible because of the large team behind it. “Animation is such a collaborative process,” Kang says. Related Stories Movies Artists Equity Inks Streaming Pact With Netflix Music Blackpink's Jisoo Shares Love for Album 'Deadline,' Talks New Netflix K-Drama: "Blinks Will Love It" KPop Demon Hunters is up for best animated feature and best original song at the 2026 Academy Awards. It’s undoubtedly a big moment for Kang and Appelhans, but the directors are keen to share this moment with their team that brought the film to life over its seven-year incubation period. “We honestly haven’t had much time to be with them post-release and just hold hands, jump up and down and celebrate,” Appelhans says, adding they’ve finally been able to have those moments during the awards campaign. “Every time I think about the crew, I just burst into tears,” Kang admits. “I’m so grateful to everybody. You make sacrifices in your life working on these things, no matter what your role is and how long you’re on it.” The Oscars are shaping up to be the biggest moment for the directors to celebrate with their crew. “We got extra tickets, so we’re only i...
