'KPop Demon Hunters’ Filmmakers and Songwriter EJAE Express Gratitude to the ‘Human Artists’ Behind the Film's Creation

Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, the directors of Netflixs acclaimed animated feature KPop Demon Hunters, along with the films lead songwriter EJAE, received the Spark Award at the IndieWire Honors 2025 on December 4 at Nya West in Hollywood. During their acceptance speeches, all three reflected on the creative journey behind the film and expressed appreciation for the team who brought Huntr/x to life.

Kang opened the discussion by sharing how the project was deeply personal, stemming from her desire to showcase her Korean heritage on screen. She extended her thanks to the fans for embracing the movie and helping it become a global phenomenon.

This recognition is incredibly meaningful, Kang said. The film started as a personal vision to see Korean culture represented in animation. When I first pitched the idea over seven years ago, I never imagined it would reach such an audience. Im deeply grateful to the fans for discovering, loving, and spreading the word about this story.

EJAE followed by acknowledging the directors for trusting her with the lead characters voice and contributing to the films celebrated soundtrack, which has garnered multiple Grammy nominations. She also thanked the extensive team of collaborators who made the music possible.

Im so thankful to Maggie and Chris for giving me this chance, EJAE stated. Working with Netflix, Sony, Ian Eisendrath, and co-writer Mark Sonnenblick, along with the incredible music team, was a true collaborative experience. As a Korean American woman, Im proud to be part of this project.

Appelhans concluded by highlighting the years of dedication required to bring the film to life. He humorously referred to the large production team as flesh artists, emphasizing the immense effort invested over six years.

This film demanded the passion and skills of hundreds of artists over many years, Appelhans said. We aimed to create something unique and imaginative, and were immensely grateful to everyone who contributed. Receiving this award is a true honor.

Since its June release, KPop Demon Hunters has earned critical praise and quickly became Netflixs most-watched film. The movie recently received the Best Animated Feature award from the New York Film Critics Circle, cementing its impact in the animation world.

Author: Ethan Caldwell