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Netflix’s ‘KPop’ Sequel Megadeals

The runaway success of the animated musical was so unexpected that the streamer didn’t have its creators locked in for a follow-up. Now, thanks to all those streams and dolls and even ‘Demon Hunters’-branded ramen, the filmmakers (and producer Sony Pictures) are getting rewarded. Here’s what the deals look like.

kpop demon hunters
Having delivered KPop Demon Hunters, the biggest movie ever on the world’s biggest streaming service, Kang and Appelhans, the film’s directors, are now overseers of Netflix’s first Disney-style movie franchise: More than 325 million views in the first three months of release, nearly 100 million more than the next-most-popular title. Photo: Courtesy of Netflix
Matthew Belloni
March 20, 2026

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Funny that during the speeches at the Netflix party last Saturday at Tower Bar, Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans were nowhere near the makeshift stage. As film chief Dan Lin toasted the company’s Oscar nominees one by one, the duo stood in the back near the bar, mostly cheering for everyone else. You’d hardly know Kang and Appelhans were, by far, the most important talent at the party—and, based on their outsize success this year, pretty much at all of Netflix.