Maggie Kang
Maggie Kang | |
|---|---|
.png) Kang At Marie Claire Asia Star Awards 2025 | |
| Born | 1981 or 1982 (age 43–44)[1] Seoul, South Korea |
| Education | Sheridan College |
| Occupations | |
| Notable work | KPop Demon Hunters |
| Spouse | Radford Sechrist |
| Korean name | |
| Hangul | 강민지 |
| RR | Gang Minji |
| MR | Kang Minji |
Maggie Kang (born 1981 or 1982),[1] also known by her Korean name Kang Min-ji (강민지), is a South Korean and Canadian film director. She created and directed KPop Demon Hunters (2025).[2]
Life and education
[edit]Kang was born in Seoul, South Korea, and moved to Toronto, Canada, when she was five, where she grew up. Kang's parents immigrated from South Korea to Canada with her family.[3] She studied animation at Sheridan College and in her third year was recruited to DreamWorks Animation.[4][5]
Career
[edit]Kang was head of story for The Lego Ninjago Movie (2017), as well as a story artist for animated films such as Kung Fu Panda 3 (2016), Rise of the Guardians (2012) and Puss in Boots (2011).[4][5][6] She directed KPop Demon Hunters (2025) with Chris Appelhans.[2] The film is based on an original concept she developed;[6][7] on November 5, 2025, it was announced that a sequel is planned for release in 2029.[8]
Personal life
[edit]She is married to Radford Sechrist, creator of Netflix series Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts.[9] They have a daughter, who had a role as a voice actor in KPop Demon Hunters, voicing the younger Rumi.[10][11]
Awards and nominations
[edit]| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Celebration of Asian Pacific Cinema and Television | Animation Award | KPop Demon Hunters | Won | [12] |
| IndieWire Honors | Spark Award | KPop Demon Hunters (with Chris Appelhans and Ejae) | Honored | [13] | |
| KALH Honors | Pioneer Award | KPop Demon Hunters | Honored | [14] | |
| Korean Association of Film Critics Awards | FIPRESCI Award (Foreign) | KPop Demon Hunters (with Chris Appelhans) | Won | [15] | |
| Marie Claire Asia Star Awards | Director of the Year | KPop Demon Hunters | Won | [16] | |
| World Animation Summit | Movie of the Year Award | KPop Demon Hunters (with Chris Appelhans) | Honored | [17] |
References
[edit]- ^ a b Choi, Bo-yun (October 2, 2025). "KPop Demon Hunters' Maggie Kang Named Time100 Next Innovator". The Chosun Daily. Archived from the original on December 8, 2025. Retrieved December 7, 2025.
- ^ a b Fell, Nicole (August 6, 2025). ""I Don't See the Fandom Slowing Down": How 'KPop Demon Hunters' Became One of Netflix's Biggest — and Most Unexpected — Hits". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on August 6, 2025. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
- ^ Kim, Ji-ye (June 26, 2025). "In 'KPop Demon Hunters,' Maggie Kang brings genre out of its comfort zone". Korea Joongang Daily. Archived from the original on July 20, 2025. Retrieved August 9, 2025.
- ^ a b Gheciu, Alex Nino (August 2, 2025). "How Toronto Director Created 'Kpop Demon Hunters': Filmmaker's Debut Animated Film has Become a Global Smash". Toronto Star. pp. C6. ProQuest 3235644122. Retrieved August 14, 2025 – via Proquest.
- ^ a b Gheciu, Alex Nino (July 29, 2025). "How Toronto's Maggie Kang created the Netflix smash hit 'KPop Demon Hunters'". CBC. Archived from the original on July 29, 2025. Retrieved September 28, 2025.
- ^ a b "Maggie Kang | Sony Pictures Animation". www.sonypicturesanimation.com. Archived from the original on August 11, 2025. Retrieved August 9, 2025.
- ^ Kim, Regina (July 21, 2025). "'KPop Demon Hunters' Took 7 Years to Make but a Lifetime of Experience". The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 21, 2025. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
- ^ Rubin, Rebecca (November 5, 2025). "KPop Demon Hunters 2 aims for 2029 release on Netflix". Variety. ISSN 0042-2738. OCLC 60626328. Archived from the original on November 5, 2025. Retrieved November 5, 2025.
- ^ Nguyen, Hanh (July 2, 2025). "KPop Demon Hunters' seriously derpy tiger: "It was genius"". Salon.com. Archived from the original on July 3, 2025. Retrieved September 5, 2025.
Sechrist, who happens to be married to Kang ...
- ^ Kim, Soo (September 5, 2025). "'KPop Demon Hunters' Director Reveals Secret Cameo, 'Fun' Idea for Sequel". Newsweek. Archived from the original on September 5, 2025. Retrieved September 28, 2025.
- ^ Byrne, Suzy (August 21, 2025). "Hairstyle of the Summer: How 'KPop Demon Hunters' Sparked a Beauty Craze". Yahoo! Entertainment. Archived from the original on August 22, 2025. Retrieved December 7, 2025.
- ^ Hammond, Peter (October 1, 2025). "Lucy Liu, Chloé Zhao, 'KPop Demon Hunters' Among Honorees For Critics Choice 4th Celebration Of AAPI Cinema & Television". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 1, 2025. Retrieved October 5, 2025.
- ^ Jones, Marcus (November 12, 2025). "IndieWire Honors to Toast Adam Sandler, Kristen Stewart, Chase Infiniti, and More". IndieWire. Archived from the original on November 13, 2025. Retrieved November 12, 2025.
- ^ Cordero, Rosy (November 21, 2025). "Park Chan-wook, Maggie Kang & Lee Byung Hun To Be Honored By Korean American Leaders In Hollywood". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 1, 2025. Retrieved November 22, 2025.
- ^ Seong, Chan-eol (November 6, 2025). "시상식은 없었지만 수상 라인업은 화려 ...45회 영평상 수상작·자 발표" [There Was No Awards Ceremony, but the Lineup of Winners Was Impressive ... The 45th Critics Choice Awards Winners Announced]. Cineplay. Archived from the original on November 13, 2025. Retrieved November 7, 2025.
- ^ "2025 마리끌레르 아시아스타어워즈 수상자 포트레이트" [2025 Marie Claire Asia Star Awards Winner Portraits]. Marie Claire Korea (in Korean). September 20, 2025. Archived from the original on November 13, 2025. Retrieved November 10, 2025.
- ^ "The World Animation Summit Reveals 2025 Hall of Fame Honorees". Animation Magazine. October 3, 2025. Archived from the original on November 21, 2025. Retrieved November 18, 2025.
External links
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Maggie Kang.
- Maggie Kang at IMDb