Director of K-pop Demon Hunters Encounters White Porcelain Moon Jar

연합뉴스 / 2025-08-21 15:01:22

▲ The National Museum of Korea’s director Yoo Hong-jun (R)) and Maggie Kang, the creative force behind "Kpop Demon Hunters," the Netflix' global-hit animated film, take a tour of the museum's permanent exhibition hall in Yongsan, Seoul, on Aug. 21, 2025. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Aug. 21 (Yonhap) -- “Moon jars are made by joining two large rice bowls together. Look closely—it’s round, but not a perfect circle, right?”

On Thursday at the National Museum of Korea’s permanent exhibition hall in Yongsan, Seoul, museum director Yoo Hong-jun pointed to a 17th-century treasure, a white porcelain moon jar. A woman listening to the explanation nodded.

That woman was director Maggie Kang, the creative force behind the recent global sensation, the Netflix animated film K-pop Demon Hunters. Facing the elegant curves of the moon jar, she smiled brightly and said, “I didn’t know it had such details, but after hearing the explanation, it feels new. I’m getting ideas.”

▲ The National Museum of Korea’s director Yoo Hong-jun (L) and Maggie Kang, the creative force behind "Kpop Demon Hunters," the Netflix' global-hit animated film, take a tour of the museum's permanent exhibition hall in Yongsan, Seoul, on Aug. 21, 2025. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

This was Kang’s first visit to the museum in about four months, since a private trip back in April before the release of K-pop Demon Hunters. On this day, she met with director Yoo and museum staff, greeted them, and toured the main exhibition halls.

Welcoming her, Yoo gifted Kang with popular museum merchandise—a “magpie and tiger badge” and a fan. Yoo had personally painted a tiger, inspired by the late folk print artist Oh Yoon (1946–1986), on the fan, writing alongside it: “Excitement! The joy and sorrow of Koreans released” and “Roar.”

The magpie-and-tiger badge, which recalls the film’s tiger character “Duffy,” has become a major hit. According to the museum foundation, the badge, released in July last year, went out of stock repeatedly as the movie’s popularity surged. In July alone, 38,104 badges were sold, with cumulative sales surpassing 70,000.

▲ Director Maggie Kang, the creative force behind "Kpop Demon Hunters," the Netflix' global-hit animated film, visits the National Museum of Korea’s permanent exhibition hall in Yongsan, Seoul, on Aug. 21, 2025. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Kang reciprocated Yoo’s gift with a Duffy doll, thanking him warmly. Touring the museum for about 30 minutes, she repeatedly exclaimed, “Beautiful,” and “Amazing.” She was especially drawn to the immersive digital video Roar, Tigers – Boldly, Spiritually, Joyfully, which reimagines Joseon-era tiger paintings and lacquerware in digital form.

When curator Kim Jin-kyung explained how the video was made, Kang praised it, saying, “Wonderful. I didn’t see this the last time I came, so it’s my first time, and it’s really amazing.” She also enjoyed an interactive experience creating her own digital chaekgado (bookshelf painting) on a tablet and posed for photos with director Yoo.

The two then visited the museum’s iconic “Room of Contemplation,” where twin gilt-bronze Maitreya statues sit side by side. Kang reflected, “It would have been even better if I had come before making the film. With the director’s explanations, I could see every detail in a new light.”

Asked whether she plans to continue highlighting Korean culture in her future works, Kang responded with a bright smile, “I think I’ll keep doing it.”

Museum visitors were also intrigued by the “special guest.” Seeing director Yoo holding a Duffy doll, some whispered, “The director of K-pop Demon Hunters must be here,” while many snapped photos with their phones.

Director Yoo emphasized, “Although Maggie Kang grew up in Canada, she created a work that beautifully expresses the Korean essence ingrained in her body and spirit.” He also gifted Kang an English collection of his writings on Gyeongju, noting this year’s APEC summit in the city. “She promised to read it,” he added.

Yoo concluded, “With the success of K-pop Demon Hunters, we will think together about how to channel the public enthusiasm toward the National Museum of Korea and its cultural assets.”

▲ This photo, provided by Netflix, shows a scene from “K-pop Demon Hunters.” (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Produced by Sony Pictures Animation in the U.S., K-pop Demon Hunters follows a K-pop girl group, Huntrix, as they battle demons and protect the world with music.

Since its June release, it has sparked a global frenzy, becoming the most-watched original animated film on Netflix and nearing the platform’s all-time No. 1 film record. Its original soundtrack “Golden” has also topped the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Official Singles Chart Top 100.