KPop Demon Hunters director Maggie Kang revealed the real-life inspiration behind the hit film’s fictional idol group, Saja Boys.
Kang grew up a ‘90s K-Pop fan in Canada, describing it as “almost like having a secret identity.” She made the movie to capture the passion she felt as a teenager.
Maggie Kang
“In the ’90s, being a K-pop fan in Canada was a kind of secret identity. This film is ultimately the movie I always wanted to see as a teenager.”
The iconic first-generation boy group H.O.T. heavily influenced Kang. She admitted her walls were covered with their posters and that she taped their music shows on VHS to watch repeatedly.
Kang said
“My bedroom walls were covered with H.O.T. posters, and I would tape music shows on VHS and rewatch them endlessly. The passion and excitement I felt back then were exactly what I wanted to capture in HUNTR/X and their rival group, Saja Boys.”
Kang collaborated with top industry names including BLACKPINK producer Teddy and Roomies’ songwriter EJ to create a K-Pop-inspired soundtrack. It quickly charted on Billboard after release.
The movie blends Korean culture with modern fandom, weaving in shamanism and traditional motifs. Kang calls it a love letter to K-Pop fans worldwide.
No controversy reported yet around the film or its inspirations. Fans continue buzzing over Saja Boys and the nostalgic nod to K-Pop’s origins.
