In My Orbit: K-Pop Demon Hunters and the Power of Representation
Couch!
Couch!
I had the amazing chance to attend the KPop Demon Hunters Screening with a Q&A featuring the Director, Producer, and a couple of people behind the scenes. This was my first time watching K-pop Demon Hunters, and what a treat it was to watch this in a theater. I loved the energy of everyone in the theater, excited and knowing all the songs, all the bops. I’ve been hearing them everywhere, but I’m finally getting the full context of the story.
This movie had everything. From girl power to the feeling like you don’t belong in a space you thought you did, to having your back against the wall, to trusting your friends with your secret, and feeling like you have a community. They created something so unique, bringing the feelings and tender moments everyone experiences to life through song and animation. It reminded me that it’s okay to want my couch.
After the film, the team took the stage for Q&A. During the discussion, a few moments really stayed with me. One of the directors, Maggie Kang, shared her experience of not seeing her stories reflected as a Korean, and this was her chance to showcase her culture. This hit for me. Representation matters! No matter what field we are in. There will be a little girl or boy, or even an adult, who sees this film and finds a way to do something they never thought possible without seeing something like this.
Danny Chung, one of the music producers, explained that he was brought into the K-pop world for his American experience and into this film for his Korean experience, realizing that those two parts of him don’t need to be separated. I see this for me this year. In a year where I feel like Puerto Ricans’ voices are loud and clear. I decided I’m finally going to start writing. It only takes that little bit of hope to move someone into a new path.
Ejae, Voice of Rumi, spoke about one thing we should take from the film: life is about growth, not perfection. Hitting me in the chest to remind me that it is the growth of my writing that matters, not the perfection that I’m trying to convey through words.
After the Q&A, I met a wonderful artist named Sam. I discovered that even in animation, there is a wardrobe department. Thinking about it makes sense, from a production mindset, but it isn’t something I would have budgeted for with my knowledge of Production. I also got to speak with the producer, Michelle L. M. Wong, who was lovely and a joy to talk to. She gave me hope that one day I will be a producer as well. I can’t wait to see the next project she is working on.
Overall, I suggest that everyone watch KPop Demon Hunters on Netflix.
