Filmmaker Maggie Kang has captured the world’s imagination with Kpop Demon Hunters, the animated blockbuster that’s topped Netflix’s most-watched list and redefined what global audiences expect from K-pop storytelling. Blending the spectacle of superhero cinema with the infectious energy of Korean pop culture, Kang’s film has inspired entirely new audiences and generations to a story that is universal in its themes.

In this episode of Mission Critical, Maggie opens up about her journey from growing up without many Korean friends to becoming one of the most powerful voices shaping Asian representation in Hollywood. She shares what it means to break generational cycles, embrace cultural inheritance, and build worlds where young women can own their power — flaws and all.

Together, Lance and Maggie talk about the universality of K-pop, how the film’s soundtrack became a cultural phenomenon, and what the future of Korean storytelling looks like in a world where “niche” no longer applies.

Key Takeaways

• How Kpop Demon Hunters broke barriers in representation and global storytelling.
• The creative risks behind blending K-pop and the superhero genre.
• Maggie’s reflections on intergenerational identity, cultural inheritance, and belonging.
• Why authenticity (not translation) is the future of cultural storytelling.
• The lessons she’s taking forward into her next projects.

Highlights

• The story behind Kpop Demon Hunters and who it was really made for.
• Why the characters’ flaws were essential to their power.
• The influence of her father’s filmmaking legacy.
• The future of Asian and diaspora narratives in mainstream media.

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