Maggie Kang is best known as the visionary force behind KPop Demon Hunters, the bold and kinetic musical fantasy she conceived and co-directed with Chris Appelhans. The film became the most-streamed title in Netflix history, shattering records on the platform, at the box office, and across music charts. Fueled by massive global demand, it received a theatrical sing-along release—becoming the first and only Netflix film to top the domestic box office. With a 95% Rotten Tomatoes score, KPop Demon Hunters earned widespread acclaim for Kang’s original concept, cultural authenticity, and imaginative world-building.
The film received multiple Golden Globe nominations, including Best Motion Picture – Animated, Best Original Song, and Best Cinematic and Box Office Achievement, winning Best Motion Picture – Animated and Best Original Song. It also earned multiple Critics Choice Award nominations, winning Best Animated Feature, and led the animation field with 10 Annie Award nominations, including Best Feature. The film’s global hit song “Golden” further garnered major music-industry recognition with multiple Grammy nominations, including Song of the Year, Best Song Written for Visual Media, and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.
A seasoned talent in animation, Kang began her career at DreamWorks Animation as a story artist, contributing to beloved titles including the Puss in Boots franchise, The Croods: A New Age, Rise of the Guardians, Kung Fu Panda 3, Trolls, Shrek Forever After, Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, and Over the Hedge. She has also brought her storytelling expertise to Illumination Entertainment on Minions: The Rise of Gru, and to the Warner Animation Group, where she served as Head of Story on The LEGO Ninjago Movie. She currently is a director at Sony Pictures Animation.
Born in Seoul, South Korea, and raised in Toronto, Canada, Kang studied classical animation at Sheridan College. Her groundbreaking creative work and visionary leadership earned her a place on the prestigious TIME100 Next list in addition to honors such as the Animation Award from the Celebration of Asian Pacific Cinema & Television, the FIPRESCI Award from the Korean Association of Film Critics, Marie Claire’s Director of the Year award, and IndieWire’s Spark Award.
