"Oscar 2-Time Winner" Director Maggie Kang of 'K-Pop Demon Hunters' Says, "I Didn't Want to Disappoint Koreans, So I'm Very Proud and Relieved"

The Netflix film 〈K-Pop Demon Hunters〉 achieved a remarkable feat by winning both the Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song at the 98th Academy Awards, and Director Maggie Kang's remarks are making headlines.

Upon receiving the Best Animated Feature award for 〈K-Pop Demon Hunters〉, Director Maggie Kang took the stage at the 98th Academy Awards, emphasizing her identity as a Korean with overwhelming emotion. She began by saying, "I want to apologize to those who look like me for taking so long to see ourselves represented in films like this." She continued, "But I am here now, and this means that the next generation won't have to wait as long. I dedicate this award to Korea and all Koreans around the world," which drew a thunderous applause from the audience.

In a backstage interview, Director Maggie Kang openly expressed her deep affection and sense of responsibility towards Korean culture. She recalled, "One of the most moving moments as a producer was watching Director Bong Joon-ho win an Oscar for 〈Parasite〉." She also shared, "Receiving the Best Animated Feature award with a film that embodies Korean culture feels like winning trophies in both fields. I didn't want to disappoint Koreans, so honestly, I feel very proud and, on the other hand, relieved."

Director Maggie Kang, who has been a passionate fan of K-Pop since the 90s, emphasized, "It is an honor to be able to capture every aspect of our culture that I love in this film," marking a significant moment as a Korean producer. She added her hope as a creator that attempts to explore various cultures in animation will continue.

The 〈K-Pop Demon Hunters〉 that achieved the 2-time Oscar win is currently streaming on Netflix.