K-Pop Demon Hunters Director Used Song Joong Ki and IU as References for Main Characters
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K-Pop Demon Hunters co-director Chris Appelhans revealed that he heavily referenced the subtle facial expressions of top Korean stars like Song Joong-ki and IU to develop the emotional depth of his animated characters.
The directors of the highly anticipated animated movie K-Pop Demon Hunters have revealed that their main characters were directly inspired by top Korean actors like Song Joong-ki and IU. On May 21, 2026, co-director Chris Appelhans appeared on the MBC Every1 variety show Welcome, First Time in Korea? to share behind-the-scenes secrets. During the broadcast, the filmmaker explained exactly how he studied the world of K-dramas to give his animated characters genuine human emotions.
How K-Dramas Inspired Hollywood Animators
According to WikiPickyMedia’s report, Chris Appelhans first made waves in the animation industry after his hit movie Wish Dragon became a global box-office success. For his newest project, K-Pop Demon Hunters, his main goal was to capture realistic emotional depth. To do this, he and his team completely skipped traditional Western references and studied classic K-dramas instead, including:- Vincenzo (tvN)
- Crash Landing on You (tvN)
- Boys Over Flowers (KBS)
By analyzing these popular shows, the animators carefully studied how Korean actors use tiny facial movements and micro-expressions to show deep heartbreak, anger, or love.
The Song Joong Ki and IU Character Blueprint
The director specifically named Hallyu superstar Song Joong-ki as the main inspiration for the movie's primary hero, Jinwoo. Appelhans revealed that the design team frequently rewatched Song Joong-ki’s famous, intense facial acting in the hit drama Vincenzo to establish how Jinwoo should look when he is brooding or facing conflict.
Additionally, the director noted that a spectacular lineup of elite Korean stars served as visual guides during character development, including: IU, Son Ye-jin, Kim Tae-ri, Yoo Yeon-seok and Park Seo-joon.
By mixing the real-life expressions and unique gazes of these top celebrities into the animation models, the creators were able to give the characters a level of lifelike charm that sets K-Pop Demon Hunters apart from standard Western animated films.