Following the smashing success of KPop Demon Hunters, one of many key creatives from the film talks about the place the story could also be headed subsequent. Debuting in June 2025, KPop Demon Hunters has change into the most-watched Netflix film of all time, all whereas its soundtrack tops music charts, and a short theatrical launch allowed it to gross $19 million.
Following KPpop Demon Hunters’ ending, the place Rumi (Arden Cho), Mira (Might Hong), and Zoey (Ji-young Yoo) make amends and seal the Honmoon, they’re presumably again to having fun with their lives as Ok-pop stars — with possibly rather less demon looking to do. Nevertheless, KPop Demon Hunters leaves questions for a sequel to reply, involving Rumi’s demon heritage and the previous era of hunters.
Throughout an interview with ScreenRant, Michael Babcock, the sound designer, supervising sound editor, and re-recording mixer of KPop Demon Hunters, mentioned he does not suppose they “essentially want The Empire Strikes Again for KPop 2,“ saying that the following film would possibly “go hotter” as an alternative of what number of film sequels are a lot darker than their predecessors.
KPop Demon Hunters co-directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans are anticipated to return for the follow-up, with Netflix and Sony at the moment negotiating the phrases of this sequel and doubtlessly past. Babcock, like everybody else, is “curious to see what they give you,” however “can say” that they’re “not portray by the numbers” following their “distinctive” first film.
Take a look at Babcock’s full feedback under:
Michael Babcock: I am curious to see what they give you. Maggie and Chris got here up with one thing that basically is a novel story and you’ll go numerous locations with it. I am undecided we essentially want The Empire Strikes Again for KPop 2. Like, does it must get darker?
What was actually distinctive about them as storytellers is that, in a manner, it is a lot simpler to go darker and colder. It is extra intelligent while you go hotter. So I’m wondering if there is a manner of getting extra immersed into this world.
One thing that appears to essentially resonate with individuals in addition to the music and the concord and the story is the interplay with followers. I’m wondering if they’ll broaden their world by making one thing [where] the followers are both requesting one thing or… I suppose on this one the followers are in jeopardy, however there’s bought to be one thing intelligent; that’s such a novel angle, and, on paper, it is superb that it labored.
However, sonically, something with crowds and chanting and all that form of stuff is enjoyable, and it is also an emotional factor too.
ScreenRant: No, I like that. And it goes to what you mentioned earlier about it being tougher to make one thing cute than scary, which I believe, such as you’re saying, is form of the facility of this.
Michael Babcock: They’ve the facility to do one thing sudden, which is absolutely what this was. And the truth that they’re being rewarded for it, I believe — not that they did not make this with confidence — offers them confidence to be like, “Hey, this may be actually attention-grabbing to discover.”
I can say [that] Chris and Maggie specifically [are] not portray by the numbers. They wish to be distinctive.
KPop Demon Hunters 2 might additional examine a storyline involving Huntr/x’s followers, although going too far down this path could disrupt the resonant manner the primary film portrays fan tradition. However, a sequel that’s “hotter” is bold and could possibly be an ideal match for this franchise.
Sequels naturally get darker as a result of they’re challenged to boost the stakes. KPop Demon Hunters already manages to strike an ideal steadiness between its goofy and lighthearted tone and its very critical themes, so going additional in a single path whereas remaining true to the preliminary story and having it work can be extremely spectacular.
Babcock’s data of what story concepts the administrators take into consideration is restricted, however together with his insider standing, he assures followers that the franchise will proceed to be considered one of a sort. On the very least, Kang and Appelhans aren’t going to be counting on overdone film sequel conventions.
Like Babcock, numerous followers in all probability have loads of religion within the creators of KPop Demon Hunters to ship a sequel simply nearly as good as the unique. Kang had been engaged on the thought for years earlier than it was lastly greenlit, and it arguably exhibits within the first film that she already has broader backstories and world-building in thoughts that did not match into this installment.
As the primary KPop Demon Hunters was so impressed, the second film ought to be the identical, when the story is primed for an natural continuation. And this key inventive’s feedback recommend that the crew can be excited to return, bringing their skills again to make this outing one other worldwide sensation.
KPop Demon Hunters
9/10
- Launch Date
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June 20, 2025
- Runtime
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96 minutes
- Director
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Chris Appelhans, Maggie Kang
- Writers
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Hannah McMechan, Chris Appelhans, Maggie Kang, Danya Jimenez
