Sorry, K-Pop Demon Hunters fans — a live-action version of the 2025 Netflix smash hit isn’t in the cards.
Maggie Kang, the film’s creator and co-director, made it clear in an October 2025 interview with the BBC that she has no plans to bring the beloved animated characters into the real world.
“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. It would feel too grounded. So totally it wouldn’t work for me,” she explained.
The film, which blends K-pop spectacle, supernatural action, and heartfelt storytelling, quickly became a global phenomenon after its Netflix debut, breaking records and inspiring sing-along screenings in theaters. But when it comes to adapting that magical energy into a live-action format, Kang isn’t budging.
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Has a ‘K-Pop Demon Hunters’ Sequel Been Confirmed Yet?
While fans might not get a live-action movie, they may have something else to look forward to. Since its release, K-Pop Demon Hunters has skyrocketed to become Netflix’s most popular movie of all time, racking up more than 310 million views worldwide. Naturally, this has sparked endless speculation about a potential sequel.
Though Netflix and Sony Pictures Animation haven’t officially announced a follow-up, reports indicate a second film feels “basically guaranteed” thanks to its runaway success, according to Forbes. Both Maggie Kang and her co-director Chris Appelhans have hinted that the story is far from over.
Then, when asked about a potential Part 2, Kang teased, “There’s nothing official we can talk about, but there’s definitely more we can do with these characters in this world. And whatever it will be, it will be a story that deserves to be a sequel, and it will be something that we want to see.”
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A Short Film Is on the Way
While the sequel remains unconfirmed, fans won’t have to wait long for new content. A short film, Debut: A K-Pop Demon Hunters Story, is already in the works. The project recently received a PG rating from the MPA for “some action/violence and scary images,” which strongly suggests the film is complete and headed to Netflix soon.
The short has already sparked fan theories. Some think it’s a prequel exploring the origins of a previous demon-hunting pop group, while others believe it will dive deeper into the backstories of Rumi, Zoey, and Mira.
Kang addressed the rumors in September 2025, acknowledging that while nothing is set in stone, the creative team is eager to return to the world they built. “There’s no official word [about a sequel], so I can’t really speak to it, but we’re all excited for the possibility of more stories,” she shared. “We are as creators, and the fans are as well.”
