Well, well, well, look who’s back to ruin another evening with their perfectly choreographed demon-slaying shenanigans. That’s right, KPop Demon Hunters is getting a sequel, because apparently, the first round of K-pop idols saving the world from supernatural nonsense wasn’t chaotic enough. Directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans have officially signed a multi-year deal with Netflix, proving that even Hollywood’s bigwigs are obsessed with the K-pop fever dream.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the creative duo is returning to helm the highly anticipated follow-up to the 2025 animated hit. And before you ask, no, they haven’t revealed the plot yet. But let’s be real — it’s probably going to involve more glittery outfits, more synchronized demon-slaying, and more earworm-worthy songs that will haunt your brain for weeks. Sony Pictures Animation is producing, and the release date is still a mystery, though rumors suggest it’ll drop sometime after 2029, because why rush perfection?
Kang and Appelhans are still in the early stages of the project, which means they’re probably too busy picking out matching demon-hunting outfits for the characters. “We’ll turn our attention to the movie in earnest after awards season,” THR writes, which is Hollywood-speak for “We’ll get to it after we’ve accepted our inevitable Oscar trophies.”
Kang, clearly riding the high of being a Korean filmmaker whose work has blown up globally, couldn’t contain her excitement. “I feel immense pride as a Korean filmmaker that the audience wants more from this Korean story and our Korean characters,” she said. Translation: “People actually like our stuff, and now we’re milking it for all it’s worth.” She also teased that there’s “so much more to this world we have built,” which sounds suspiciously like a threat to unleash even more chaos on unsuspecting viewers.
Appelhans, on the other hand, seems to be treating these characters like family. “These characters are like family to us, their world has become our second home,” he said. “We’re excited to write their next chapter, challenge them and watch them evolve — and continue pushing the boundaries of how music, animation and story can come together.” In other words, they’re going to make these characters suffer even more, but in a way that’s so entertaining you’ll forget how emotionally scarred they are.
Netflix, never one to miss out on a good thing, is thrilled about the partnership. “With KPop Demon Hunters, Maggie and Chris didn’t just reach audiences, they ignited a global fandom that crossed languages, generations, and genres,” said Netflix chief content officer Bela Bajaria. “We’re incredibly proud to deepen our partnership with them and, together with our partners at Sony Pictures Animation, build this universe in ways that will surprise and delight fans all over the world.” Translation: “We’re going to make so much money off this, and we’re not even sorry.”
Meanwhile, the original KPop Demon Hunters is up for two Academy Awards this Sunday (March 15) — Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song for the bop “Golden.” And if that’s not enough to make you feel old, EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Reri Ami, the singing voices behind HUNTR/X, will perform “Golden” live at the Oscars. Because nothing says “prestige” like a K-pop demon-slaying anthem at the Academy Awards.
So, buckle up, because the K-pop demon-hunting saga is far from over. Whether you’re here for the music, the animation, or just the sheer absurdity of it all, one thing’s for sure: the sequel is coming, and it’s going to be a wild ride. Just don’t blame us when you find yourself humming “Golden” at 3 a.m. while fighting off imaginary demons. You’ve been warned.
Finn McFrame, celebrated satirical mastermind and self-proclaimed “Emperor of Irony,” started his illustrious career as a cinematographer, where his expertise in capturing every single frame of a squirrel stealing a baguette earned him accolades at obscure film festivals.
Born in the glamorous town of Boring, Oregon, Finn grew up with dreams of being a Hollywood director until he realized that satire, not cinema, was his true calling—or at least the one that let him sleep until noon.
Finn McFrame: changing the world, one satirical lens flare at a time.
