Why you may not see a live-action version of ‘Kpop Demon Hunters’ any time soon

A scene from "Kpop Demon Hunters"

“Kpop Demon Hunters” has left fans craving more, but there appears to be one wish that won’t get granted.

Maggie Kang, creator and co-director of the hit Netflix animated musical film, talked to the BBC along with her co-director Chris Appelhans about what comes next. One thing of which they sounded sure? Those hoping for a live-action version won’t be seeing that any time soon.

“There’s so many elements of the tone and the comedy that are so suited for animation. It’s really hard to imagine these characters in a live-action world,” Kang said. “It would feel too grounded. So totally it wouldn’t work for me.”

Appelhans agreed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yebNIHKAC4A

“One of the great things about animation is that you make these composites of impossibly great attributes. Rumi can be this goofy comedian and then singing and doing a spinning back-kick a second later and then freefalling through the sky,” he said. “The joy of animation is how far you can push and elevate what’s possible. I remember they adapted a lot of different animes and often times, it just feels a little stilted.”

Cre: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/10/14/entertainment/kpop-demon-hunters-no-live-action