Discover How Chris Appelhans, the Genius Behind K-Pop Demon Hunters, Connects with Korean Culture

Chris Appelhans / Photo=Sony Pictures

[Sports Today reporter Kim Tae-hyung] Chris Appelhans, the director behind the global K-pop phenomenon K-Pop Demon Hunters, is set to appear on a Korean variety show.

MBC Every1’s Welcome, Is This Your First Time in Korea?, which premieres on the 19th, confirmed it will feature Appelhans, the co-director of the worldwide animated hit K-Pop Demon Hunters (hereafter KDH).

On the 15th (local time), KDH drew renewed attention after it won Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song at the 98th Oscars. The film had already swept both categories at the Golden Globes and Critics’ Choice Awards and took home the animation prize from the Chicago Film Critics Association, underscoring its standout artistic achievement.

Matt Damon, an early investor in Netflix, noted that KDH became the first animated title to reach the fifth and final tier of Netflix’s five-step performance-based compensation system. Given that Appelhans leads a project that has reshaped the global OTT landscape, his visit to Korea has drawn significant industry interest.

While director Maggie Kang has been more publicly visible, co-director Chris Appelhans has received comparatively less attention. Appelhans is widely regarded within the industry as a visionary filmmaker. He has the clout at Sony Pictures to select projects he wants to pursue, and he has captivated critics and audiences worldwide with rigorous storytelling and striking visuals. His wife is a Korean painter and a noted author, and Appelhans himself is reported to have a deep affection for Korean culture.

Viewers can expect to see Appelhans’s softer, “dad” side on this trip. He chose to bring his family to Korea so his 5-year-old son—who became interested in Hangul because of the film—can learn and experience Korean culture firsthand. The director’s warmth as he encourages his son’s curiosity and introduces him to Korea should provide a genuinely touching moment for audiences.

Korea has long been a creative wellspring for Appelhans. During the production of KDH’s first season, research trips to Korea informed the show’s core creative decisions. The industry is watching closely to see whether this visit will seed ideas for his next project. Observers are curious to see how a director of his stature will interpret Korea in 2026 and what new artistic directions might emerge from this trip.

MBC Every1’s Welcome, Is This Your First Time in Korea?, which confirmed Appelhans’s appearance, will air on the 19th at 8:30 PM, opening with the travel story of its first featured guest, Paco.

[Sports Today reporter Kim Tae-hyung ent@stoo.com]
「The closest, most fun news ⓒ Sports Today」