'KPop Demon Hunters' fans get big news as Netflix plans next chapter
"KPop Demon Hunters" is getting a sequel.
Netflix confirmed the news in a press release Thursday, announcing that co-directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans will return to helm the project.
The sequel, produced by Sony Pictures Animation, will mark the first project under the pair's exclusive multiyear writing and directing deal across animation, according to the release.
In a statement, Kang shared her excitement about continuing the story and what the response to the original animated hit means to her as a Korean filmmaker.
"I feel immense pride as a Korean filmmaker that the audience wants more from this Korean story and our Korean characters," she said. "There's so much more to this world we have built and I'm excited to show you. This is only the beginning."
Appelhans also shared his enthusiasm about returning for the sequel.
"These characters are like family to us, their world has become our second home," he said in a statement. "We're excited to write their next chapter, challenge them and watch them evolve -- and continue pushing the boundaries of how music, animation and story can come together."
In addition to being a runaway hit and the most-watched original title in Netflix history, "KPop Demon Hunters" has gained major attention this awards season.
The film earned a nod for best animated feature at the 98th Academy Awards -- which takes place March 15 -- while "Golden," the film's hit song, was nominated for best original song.
Written by Kim Eun-jae (EJAE), Mark Sonnenblick, Ido, and Teddy, "Golden" made history as the first K-pop song ever nominated for an Oscar.
"Golden" has racked up several statuettes already this awards season: The track won best original song at the Golden Globe Awards in January and took home the award for best song written for visual media at the 2026 Grammy Awards in February, becoming the first K-pop song ever to win a Grammy.
Performed by the fictional group HUNTR/X -- voiced by EJAE, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami -- the song was also Grammy-nominated for song of the year.
Following the Oscar nominations announcement in January, Kang and Appelhans shared their reactions to the film's nods with "Good Morning America," calling the recognition a "dream come true."
"Every person who touched this film just put all their hearts and souls into it," Kang said at the time. "It just feels amazing to be recognized for the hard work that we put in. And the fans see it, but also our fellow filmmakers and obviously the academy, so it just feels really great to put so much work into something and be recognized for it."
Appelhans added, "I think we tried to make something new. We tried to really use music in a new way. We tried to represent women in a new way in animation, and audiences loved that. They loved something new and something with heart and we tried to do all of that."
