Oscar 2-Time Winner 'Kpop Demon Hunters' Director Chris Appelhans Appears on 'Welcome, First Time in Korea?'

Chris Appelhans, co-director of the Netflix film 〈Kpop Demon Hunters〉, which achieved the remarkable feat of winning two awards at the American Academy Awards, is making a surprise appearance on the Korean entertainment program 〈Welcome, First Time in Korea?〉.

The Return of the Oscar 2-Time Winner Who Led a Global Phenomenon

MBC Every1 announced on the 17th that Chris Appelhans, co-director of 〈Kpop Demon Hunters〉, will be appearing on the show. This work, which swept both the Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song at the 98th American Academy Awards held on the 15th, has previously proven its outstanding artistry by winning the Golden Globe and Critics' Choice Awards. Notably, according to actor Matt Damon, an early investor in Netflix, this work achieved the highest rating in the 'Netflix Performance Reward 5 Levels' for animation, marking a significant milestone in global OTT history.

A Warm Family Travelogue Highlighting the 'Sweet Daddy' Aspect

Chris Appelhans, a genius director who captivated critics worldwide with solid storytelling and stunning visuals, is also known for his deep affection for Korean culture, having a Korean wife who is a painter and writer. His appearance on this entertainment show came about as the whole family decided to go to Korea for the sake of his 5-year-old son, who wants to learn Korean due to the influence of the work. The warm and human 'Sweet Daddy' aspect of this global master, who actively encourages his son's curiosity and wants to show him Korean culture firsthand, is expected to provide viewers with a heartwarming experience.

First Broadcast on the 19th, Anticipation for Next Work Inspiration

For Chris Appelhans, Korea is a source of special artistic inspiration beyond just a travel destination. The inspiration gained from his trip to Korea played a crucial role in the creation of 〈Kpop Demon Hunters〉, and there is keen interest in how the master's perspective on Korea in 2026 will be transformed into his next work. After reorganization, MBC Every1's 〈Welcome, First Time in Korea?〉 will return on the 19th at 8:30 PM, featuring the first travel episode with Paco as the main character.