Seoul:<Text>

Maggie Kang, co-director of "KPop Demon Hunters," revealed on Friday that the universal feeling of insecurity and shame is what made Netflix's latest animated hit resonate with audiences worldwide. At a press conference held in Seoul, Kang expressed her intention to explore the theme of shame, a subject not commonly addressed in animated films, believing it would connect with viewers on a global scale.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Kang emphasized the relatability of feeling ashamed or the need to hide certain aspects of oneself. "I think everybody knows what it feels like to hide parts of themselves, or be ashamed of something. So I think everybody can relate to that," she explained. Since its premiere on June 20, the film has become a worldwide sensation, quickly climbing to become Netflix's second-most watched film ever. It is on the verge of surpassing the current top film, the action-comedy "Red Notice." Additionally, the film's catchy soundtrack has made significant waves on the Billboard charts.

Maggie Kang shared an anecdote to illustrate the film's wide-ranging appeal. She recounted meeting a six-year-old girl at a screening who felt a deep connection with Rumi, the lead singer of the fictional girl group Huntr/x featured in the film. "The girl said, 'You know, I hide things from my friends, because I don't want to be judged, or I'm scared what they will think,'" Kang recalled, highlighting the film's impact across different demographics, regardless of age, race, or culture.

"KPop Demon Hunters" follows the journey of the three-member group Huntr/x, who juggle their pop music careers with their secret lives as warriors defending the world from demonic threats, such as the overlord Gwi-Ma and the soul-stealing Saja Boys. The film marks Kang's directorial debut, although she is a veteran in the industry, having worked at major studios like DreamWorks Animation prior to joining Sony Pictures Animation.

Kan g's experience shines through in the film's successful fusion of Korean cultural elements, including shamanism and street foods, with universal storytelling. She stressed the importance of authentic cultural representation, a principle she attributes to her faith and confidence in storytelling. Kang was adamant about not concealing any cultural specifics, believing that audiences would come to understand them in time. "I did not want to hide anything," she stated, adding, "I believed they will eventually."

The director also expressed her faith in film as a medium capable of transcending cultural barriers. "Anywhere you go in the world, everybody wants same things, like love, security and acceptance," Kang said. "When you tell a story that kind of encompasses all of that, it's inevitable that you will reach a global audience."