Netflix announces Korean-set KPop Demon Hunters sequel in early production

Netflix has announced a sequel to KPop Demon Hunters (KedeHun), the Korean-set animated feature that became a global sensation. The project will be directed by Megi Kang and Chris Appelhans, who also serve as long-term exclusive collaborators in animation writing and directing. The sequel is in the early stages of production, and no release date has been disclosed.

Megi Kang, a Korean-Canadian director, said she is proud that audiences want more Korean stories and characters, adding that this is just the beginning and there is much more of this world yet to show.

KPop Demon Hunters centers on Huntrix, a three-member girl group consisting of Lumi, Joy, and Mira, who protect the human world from demons. They share the screen with the demon-world boy group Lions Boyz, whose members are Jinwoo, Abbey, Romance, Baby, and Mystery, as they contend for dominance in a shared universe. The film also features recognizable Korean cultural touches, including bathhouses, traditional clinics, kimbap, and cup ramen.

The film debuted last year and drove a global viewing surge, reportedly exceeding 500 million views, helping it become Netflix’s most-watched original animated title to date. Its success extended beyond viewership, with the original soundtrack, Golden, reaching the top of the Billboard Hot 100.

KPop Demon Hunters has earned multiple awards, including a Golden Globes sweep for animation and song, and Critics Choice Awards for Best Animated Feature and Best Song. In February, it was named a Grammy Award nominee for Best Song Written for Visual Media, making it the first K-pop–themed project to achieve that recognition. It is also listed as a two-category candidate at the upcoming Academy Awards.

For U.S. readers, the sequel matters as a case study in how Korean-origin content is fueling Netflix’s global strategy. The original’s blend of Korean culture with popular music-inspired storytelling helped expand the platform’s appeal to international audiences, including viewers in the United States. The development of a sequel signals continued investment in cross-border collaborations that tie into the broader growth of K-pop, Korean cinema, and multiplatform storytelling, with potential implications for U.S. streaming strategies, talent networks, and trans-Pacific content partnerships.