Director of K-POP Girls! Demon Hunters says, ” 'Saja Boys' were heavily influenced by 'HOT'... I was a fan when I was 12 years old” (Civilization Express)

Director Maggie Kang of the globally hit Netflix animated film K-POP Girls! Demon Hunters revealed the origin story and motifs behind the 'Saja Boys' and the villain 'Gwi-ma' featured in the film, drawing significant attention.

On the 11th, a video titled '[First Reveal] Director Maggie Kang Spills Spoilers for K-Pop Girls! Demon Hunters 2' was uploaded to the YouTube channel Civilization Express.

Director Maggie Kang appeared as a guest that day and candidly shared various behind-the-scenes stories about the production process of ' K-Pop Girls! Demon Hunters' alongside MC Jie Jie.

In the video, Director Maggie Kang recalled being a fan of the group 'H.O.T' as a child. She reminisced, “When I was 12 to 14 years old, I really loved ‘H.O.T.’ I spent all the money I had on them,” adding, “Their bromides cost 10 dollars back then in Toronto. I saved up money and bought many ‘H.O.T’ bromides.”

In response, Jie Jie remarked, “So when ‘Saja Boys’ went from the refreshing concept of ‘SODA POP’ to doing ‘YOUR IDOL,’ it feels like how (past ‘H.O.T’) went from ‘Candy’ and ‘Full Of Happiness’ to ‘We Are The Future.’” Maggie Kang agreed. Director Maggie Kang confessed about Saja Boys, “There was also a feeling that I made it for my 12-year-old self.”

However, she recalled that in the past, while living in Canada, she hid the fact that she liked K-POP idols, saying, “I watched them secretly. (Others) said, ‘What is this? It's childish.’ I was really sad.” Jie Jie comforted her about this, saying, “If those friends from back then saw this now, we'd be the winners in the end.”

The conversation also touched on the character “Gwi-ma.” Jie Jie described Gwi-ma as “the president-like figure of the agency in ‘Saja Boys’,” and asked, “Was Gwi-ma also set up as someone who wanted to be an idol?” She continued, "So the fact that we thought of casting Park Jin-young (J.Y. Park) for Gwi-ma is something only someone familiar with K-POP would know. Because Park Jin-young always takes the final stage."

Maggie Kang responded to this question, stating, “He sang too, and it seemed really interesting. But if the villain was too comedic, it felt a bit... so we changed it.” She revealed that while they considered casting Park Jin-young, they ultimately chose Lee Byung-hun for the role of Gwi-ma.