President Lee Jae Myung has held a high-profile meeting with the creative team behind Netflix's blockbuster animated film "KPop Demon Hunters," announcing his administration's commitment to transforming South Korea's cultural sector into a cornerstone industry for the nation's economic future. The gathering took place during a special recording of Arirang TV's English-language program "K-Pop: The Next Chapter," which aired on Wednesday.
The presidential meeting brought together an impressive roster of talent involved in the globally successful animation project. Maggie Kang, the Korean-Canadian co-creator who helped bring the cultural phenomenon to life, joined the discussion alongside prominent K-pop stars Jihyo and Jeongyeon from the internationally acclaimed group TWICE. The panel also included DJ and music producer R.Tee, who contributed to the project's soundtrack, as well as respected music critic Kim Young-dae, providing expert commentary on the cultural significance of the work.
During the televised discussion, President Lee emphasized the transformative potential he sees in Korea's cultural exports. "The opportunity to show the power of Korean culture is beginning in a full-fledged manner," Lee declared during the program. "By building solid foundations, we will make the cultural sector a key industry." His remarks signal a strategic shift toward prioritizing cultural content as a major economic driver for the country.
The president also acknowledged existing challenges within Korea's cultural industry structure, demonstrating a realistic understanding of current limitations. "I agree with concerns that South Korea's cultural industry may appear glamorous on the surface but is void inside with its roots decaying," Lee admitted candidly. "The government will build strong foundations, starting now." This honest assessment suggests his administration recognizes the need for substantial structural improvements beyond surface-level success.
In a particularly significant moment, President Lee addressed the sensitive issue of government interference in cultural affairs, making what appeared to be a direct reference to controversial past practices. "It is the government's duty to create a free environment," Lee stated, noting that surveillance and regulation can hurt the cultural sector. His comments seem to reference the creation of blacklists targeting cultural organizations and artists who criticized previous administrations, effectively excluding them from government support programs.
The global triumph of "KPop Demon Hunters," produced by Sony Pictures Animation and distributed through Netflix's worldwide platform, has sparked broader conversations about supporting Korean companies in developing original content and securing intellectual property rights in the cultural sector. Industry observers see the film's success as proof that Korean creative content can compete on the global stage when given proper resources and international partnerships.
President Lee also shared a personal observation about one of the film's most memorable characters, highlighting the cultural significance embedded in the animation. "One of the most impressive characters in the film was Derpy the tiger," Lee noted with appreciation. "The film has transformed the tiger, one of the animals most feared by the Korean people, into something lovable and cute." This comment reflects how the project successfully recontextualizes traditional Korean cultural elements for global audiences while maintaining cultural authenticity.
