Fuel for the Fight: Behind the Scenes of Netflix's "Kpop Demon Hunters"
The secret to saving the world lies not in magic spells, but in a well-stocked pantry. In Netflix's latest animated series, "Kpop Demon Hunters," three K-pop idols-turned-superheroes - Rumi, Mira, and Zoey - fuel their epic battles against evil demons by chowing down on an endless array of Korean comfort foods.
But what sets this show apart from other K-drama fare is its deliberate avoidance of the most iconic, yet clichéd, Korean food staple: kimchi. According to director-writer Maggie Kang, she made it a point to steer clear of the spicy condiment in favor of more obscure options that showcase the diversity and richness of Korean cuisine.
"I never want anybody to say the word 'kimchi,'" Kang confided in Salon over Zoom. "I feel like there's been so much said about kimchi already - it's just such a clichéd thing to talk about." Instead, Kang opted for lesser-known dishes that would not only delight her own Korean heritage but also educate audiences unfamiliar with the nuances of Korean food.
Take naengmyeon, ice-cold noodles in a beef broth that is both North Korean and a family favorite for director Kang. Or kimbap, a rice and vegetable roll wrapped in dried seaweed that has become an international staple thanks to its starring roles in numerous K-dramas. Even the way the characters devour their meals is studied in attention to detail, from Rumi's gung-ho consumption of hard-boiled eggs to Zoey's satisfied slurping of cup ramyeon noodles.
The film's food scenes were not just a happy accident; they were meticulously crafted by art director Celine Kim and production designer Sony ImageWorks. From the glossy sheen of sesame oil on kimbap to the humble, speckled plastic plates that add an authentic touch to every meal, the animation team worked tirelessly to bring these dishes to life in vivid color.
Appelhans agrees: "We had a bible for our food scenes - we wanted to make sure everything was accurate, from the shape of the bowls to the way the characters eat. We even consulted with Maureen Goo, my wife's author sister-in-law, to get inspiration on how Rumi eats kimbap like a hot dog."
With its mouthwatering meals and commitment to authenticity, "Kpop Demon Hunters" offers a fresh take on Korean culture that goes beyond kimchi-fueled clichés. It's a testament to the power of food to bring people together - and fuel their passions for life.
The secret to saving the world lies not in magic spells, but in a well-stocked pantry. In Netflix's latest animated series, "Kpop Demon Hunters," three K-pop idols-turned-superheroes - Rumi, Mira, and Zoey - fuel their epic battles against evil demons by chowing down on an endless array of Korean comfort foods.
But what sets this show apart from other K-drama fare is its deliberate avoidance of the most iconic, yet clichéd, Korean food staple: kimchi. According to director-writer Maggie Kang, she made it a point to steer clear of the spicy condiment in favor of more obscure options that showcase the diversity and richness of Korean cuisine.
"I never want anybody to say the word 'kimchi,'" Kang confided in Salon over Zoom. "I feel like there's been so much said about kimchi already - it's just such a clichéd thing to talk about." Instead, Kang opted for lesser-known dishes that would not only delight her own Korean heritage but also educate audiences unfamiliar with the nuances of Korean food.
Take naengmyeon, ice-cold noodles in a beef broth that is both North Korean and a family favorite for director Kang. Or kimbap, a rice and vegetable roll wrapped in dried seaweed that has become an international staple thanks to its starring roles in numerous K-dramas. Even the way the characters devour their meals is studied in attention to detail, from Rumi's gung-ho consumption of hard-boiled eggs to Zoey's satisfied slurping of cup ramyeon noodles.
The film's food scenes were not just a happy accident; they were meticulously crafted by art director Celine Kim and production designer Sony ImageWorks. From the glossy sheen of sesame oil on kimbap to the humble, speckled plastic plates that add an authentic touch to every meal, the animation team worked tirelessly to bring these dishes to life in vivid color.
Appelhans agrees: "We had a bible for our food scenes - we wanted to make sure everything was accurate, from the shape of the bowls to the way the characters eat. We even consulted with Maureen Goo, my wife's author sister-in-law, to get inspiration on how Rumi eats kimbap like a hot dog."
With its mouthwatering meals and commitment to authenticity, "Kpop Demon Hunters" offers a fresh take on Korean culture that goes beyond kimchi-fueled clichés. It's a testament to the power of food to bring people together - and fuel their passions for life.
It's literally so cool! They're not using that super overused kimchi in it, which is awesome, right? I mean, don't get me wrong, kimchi is delicious and all, but it's been done to death. The creators are really showcasing the diversity of Korean food instead, like naengmyeon and kimbap. It's so refreshing to see! And can we talk about how much I love the details they added? Like, who does hard-boiled eggs exactly like Rumi? 
Anyway, it's a great show that goes beyond just K-pop clichez. Have you checked it out yet? 
! I mean, most shows just do kimchi all the time, but these characters have an actual pantry full of delicious dishes that are actually from Korea. Naengmyeon and kimbap are everything - I was literally hungry just watching them eat 
. The animation team did such a great job too, it's like you're right there with Rumi, Mira, and Zoey chowing down on some bibimbap 
. It's awesome to see Korean food being represented in this way, without all the clichés. The show isn't just about fighting demons, but also about sharing meals together - that's what makes it so special 
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It's actually kind of refreshing to see a show that showcases the diversity of Korean cuisine beyond the usual suspects. Naengmyeon and kimbap are so underrated, but I'm sure fans will be swooning over Rumi's hard-boiled egg game 
. The attention to detail in the animation team's food scenes is also noteworthy - it's not just about looking pretty, but actually recreating an authentic Korean experience 
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zoey slurping cup ramyeon is also giving me major comfort food vibes need to rewatch the show again already
. I'm excited to see how they tackle more Korean foods and culture in future episodes 
It's dope that they're not just relying on kimchi for their K-drama vibes. The attention to detail in the food scenes is super impressive - from the sesame oil to the plastic plates, it all comes together to create a really immersive experience.
. but here's the thing - they don't even mention kimchi once 
. i love how the animation team put so much thought into making everything look and taste real