“Almost like having a secret identity…”
Koreaboo
The hit animated film KPop Demon Hunters has continued to capture the attention of global fans, especially with its fictional idol group Saja Boys gaining popularity of their own. Now, director Maggie Kang has revealed the real-life inspiration behind the characters.
Kang shared that her love for K-Pop goes back decades, long before it became a worldwide phenomenon. Growing up in Canada during the ’90s, she described being a fan as “almost like having a secret identity.” For her, the movie was a chance to recreate the type of story she would have wanted to see as a teenager.
In the ’90s, being a K-pop fan in Canada was a kind of secret identity. This film is ultimately the movie I always wanted to see as a teenager.
— Maggie Kang
A big part of that came from first-generation boy group H.O.T., one of the pioneers of idol culture. Kang admitted her walls were once plastered with H.O.T. posters, and she would record music show appearances on VHS tapes to rewatch them over and over. That same excitement, she explained, is what shaped HUNTR/X rival group, Saja Boys.
My bedroom walls were covered with H.O.T. posters, and I would tape music shows on VHS and rewatch them endlessly. The passion and excitement I felt back then were exactly what I wanted to capture in HUNTR/X and their rival group, Saja Boys.
— Maggie Kang
Kang worked alongside major industry names, including BLACKPINK producer Teddy and songwriter EJ from Roomies, to create a soundtrack that captured the essence of K-Pop. Their efforts paid off quickly, with the OST charting on Billboard shortly after release.
Beyond music, the story was also deeply rooted in Korean culture. Elements of shamanism and traditional motifs were woven into the narrative, adding another layer of authenticity that resonated strongly with Korean audiences. Kang emphasized that while the film is entertainment, it is also a reflection of K-Pop’s powerful fandom culture — a love letter to fans around the world.
