Netflix has released the trailer for the Sony Pictures Animation (SPA) feature KPOP Demon Hunters from directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans. The film debuts June 20 on streaming.
The logline: “When K-pop superstars Rumi, Mira, and Zoey aren’t selling out stadiums, they’re using their secret identities as demon hunters to protect their fans from ever-present supernatural danger. Together, they must face their biggest threat — an irresistible rival boy band of demons in disguise.”
The music-heavy film draws heavily on K-pop culture and includes original songs written and produced by Teddy Park, 24, Danny Chung, Ido, Vince, Kush and Dominsuk of TheBlackLabel, and performed by Ejae, Rei Ami, Andrew Choi, Danny Chung, Kevin Woo, Samuil Lee, Neckwav, and Jeongyeon, Jihyo, and Chaeyoung of Twice, among others.
“I have been a fan of these incredible artists and their work for many years,” director Maggie Kang said in a statement, “so it’s a dream come true to have original songs written and produced for our film by legendary talent such as TheBlackLabel. I also couldn’t be more thrilled about our collaboration with Jeongyeon, Jihyo and Chaeyoung of Twice. It really legitimizes our film and songs in the K-pop world. It’s proof that we achieved what we set out to do, which is make a real K-Pop group.”
Co-director Chris Appelhans added, “We have an amazing voice cast, and the range of their performances is what gives the film such an original tone. Byung Hun Lee and Ahn Hyo-seop bring authentic K-drama emotion, while Arden, May and Ji-young blend the charisma of legit K-pop stars with the vulnerability and comedy of real young women juggling a dual life like no other.”
KPOP is SPA’s first release since 2023’s Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. The studio has previously sold numerous features to Netflix for streaming premieres, including The Mitchells vs. the Machines and Vivo. SPA is also partnering with Netflix for the upcoming release of Genndy Tartakovsky’s Fixed after WBD’s New Line Cinema got cold feet over a planned theatrical release.
KEY DETAILS
Directors: Maggie Kang, Chris Appelhans
Producer: Michelle L.M. Wong
Screenplay by: Danya Jimenez, Hannah McMechan, Maggie Kang, Chris Appelhans
Story by: Maggie Kang
Executive music producer: Ian Eisendrath
Original score by: Marcelo Zarvos
Production by: Sony Pictures Animation
Cast: Arden Cho, Ahn Hyo-seop, May Hong, Ji-young Yoo, Yunjin Kim, Joel Kim Booster, Liza Koshy, with Daniel Dae Kim, Ken Jeong, Byung Hun Lee
Co-producers: Scott Berri, Jacky Priddle
Original songs written by: Danny Chung, IDO, Vince, KUSH, EJAE, Jenna Andrews, Stephen Kirk, Lindgren, Mark Sonnenblick, Daniel Rojas
Original songs produced by: Teddy Park, 24, IDO, DOMINSUK, Jenna Andrews, Stephen Kirk, Lindgren, Ian Eisendrath
Original songs performed by: Ejae, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami, Andrew Choi, Danny Chung, Kevin Woo, Samuil Lee, Neckwav, Lea Salonga
Featuring an original song performed by: Jeongyeon, Jihyo, and Chaeyoung of Twice
