The voice cast of Netflix's hit animated film, KPop Demon Hunters, is still reeling from the immense success of the movie and the recognition they've received from K-pop idols, including BTS. May Hong, Arden Cho, and Ji-young Yoo, who voice the characters Mira, Rumi, and Zoey (also known as HUNTR/X), have shared their excitement and disbelief over the phenomenon the film has become.
The film's popularity skyrocketed after its release on Netflix in June, consistently remaining in the Top 10 for nearly two months. Its success has been so significant that it's now Netflix's second most-watched English film of all time, potentially surpassing Red Notice. The actresses expressed feeling honored by the response, with Ji-young Yoo calling it "crazy" and a "phenomenon" that no one could have predicted.
May Hong realized the film's impact when she attended her first convention and saw fans lining up to meet her. She described voicing Mira as surreal, referring to HUNTR/X as "amazing, badass girls". Arden Cho, who voices the lead singer Rumi, stated that no one anticipated the film becoming so massive and expressed gratitude to the fans for keeping it at number one for so long.
The cast was particularly thrilled by the recognition from K-pop idols. Ji-young Yoo, a big BTS fan, had an "out-of-body experience" when BTS members started singing KPop Demon Hunters songs during live sessions. Arden Cho felt that receiving recognition from actual K-pop idols meant they "did something right".
According to Times Now, all seven BTS members returned basically the day the film was released on Netflix. The coincidence felt incredibly serendipitous to Arden Cho. She still struggles to articulate the feeling, as if her mind and body were disconnected.
Netflix also acknowledged BTS's Jungkook watching the series during a live stream. Jungkook even spotted an error in the lyrics, impressing netizens with his attention to detail. The official Netflix account celebrated Jungkook watching the series by changing its header and bio, showing BTS's power and influence.
The film's success has also sparked conversations about its accurate depiction of Korean culture. The cast and creators were concerned about getting the cultural details right and were relieved and warmed by the positive reception from Korean audiences and idols.
Beyond the K-pop recognition, the actresses are touched by the diverse fanbase, including young children who deeply understand the story's themes. They've been impressed by the film's popularity across different age groups and appreciate the support from fans and colleagues in the industry.
As the film continues its successful run, the cast remains grateful and overwhelmed by the love and support they've received. They acknowledge the contributions of the writers, directors, and producers in creating an accurate and beautiful representation of Korean culture.
