Arirang TV spotlights 'KPop Demon Hunters' in special broadcast joined by President Lee

Title: Arirang TV spotlights 'KPop Demon Hunters' in special broadcast joined by President Lee

‘K-데몬헌터스’ 전세계 열풍 이재명 대통령, 아리랑TV K팝 특집 출연

Welcome to Within The Frame, where we bring the most pressing issues across the globe into focus. I'm Kim Mok-yeon.

"KPop Demon Hunters" is more than just a global hit — it’s a symbol of how far K-pop and Korean culture have come.

Fusing K-pop idols with traditional Korean aesthetics, the animated movie has captivated audiences across continents, marking a new chapter in the global K-content wave.

Recognizing this cultural shift, Arirang TV aired a special program, K-Pop: The Next Chapter, to explore where K-pop is headed next.

President Lee Jae Myung made a rare appearance on the broadcast, underscoring the cultural weight of the moment.

According to the Presidential Office, the program offered a chance to reflect on K-pop’s global influence, and gather insight for policies that will support Korea’s growth as a top-five soft power leader.

In Within The Frame tonight, we dive into what this moment says about the future of Korean culture on the world stage. And for this, we're joined by music critic and ethnomusicologist Kim Young-dae who sat down with the president in the program. Welcome

Also joining us is CedarBough Saeji, Assistant Professor of Korean and East Asian Studies at Pusan National University. Good to see you.

1. To start things off — Youngdae, you sat alongside President Lee Jae Myung on Arirang TV’s special K-Pop program to discuss the global rise of "KPop Demon Hunters" and the future of K-pop.

Could you explain for our viewers, what were the key themes of that conversation? And how does President Lee view the current K-pop wave, especially through the lens of "KPop Demon Hunters"?

2. Coming off that special broadcast — one line that really stood out to me was when President Lee spoke with confidence about Korea becoming a true cultural powerhouse, and said the government plans to actively support that growth.

Do you think that kind of vision can realistically help drive the next stage of growth for K-content? And I also wonder what part of President's remarks stayed with you the most?

3. Shifting focus slightly — Despite blending K-pop idols with traditional Korean elements, "KPop Demon Hunters" has struck a chord globally, across cultures and generations. In your view Prof. CedarBough, what made it resonate so widely?

Was it the emotional storytelling, the rich world-building — or something deeper?

4. Now let’s talk about the numbers — the song "Golden" not only topped the Billboard Hot 100 but also claimed #1 on the UK’s Official Singles Chart.

It’s the first time in history a K-pop track has simultaneously led both major charts. How significant is this milestone? How should we read this level of achievement?

5. Adding another layer to this — global media outlets are focusing on HOW a virtual idol, operating solely online, has made history on these top charts.

Prof. CedarBough, What enabled such massive popularity in the virtual realm? And what does the rise of virtual idols in "KPop Demon Hunters" suggest for the future of the K-pop industry?

6. Now, looking at the fandom — "KPop Demon Hunters" is being praised for its seamless integration of interactive fan culture, from dance challenges to cover videos.

How much of a role did this participatory fandom play in the film's success? Do you think it enhanced immersion and global connectivity?

7. From a production standpoint — some argue that "KPop Demon Hunters," while culturally inspired, doesn’t fully qualify as “K-content” because of its international production and distribution. Youngdae, Do you agree with that critique?

Or could this be a sign of the K-content ecosystem evolving and expanding globally?

8. Taking a broader view — with the emergence of virtual idols, animation crossovers, and localization strategies, K-pop today is operating on a much wider spectrum than before.

As a music critic, can you tell us what new possibilities did the "KPop Demon Hunters" phenomenon reveal? Could K-pop be transitioning from a genre into a global brand?

9. And the ripple effects are clear — the National Museum of Korea is now seeing record attendance, and its "KPop Demon Hunters" merchandise continues to sell out.

Prof.How do you foresee the movie's impact beyond just music? Could this contribute to broader K-culture expansion and drive domestic cultural industries forward?

10. Finally before we let you go, with global audiences embracing everything from K-pop to Korean tradition-based animation, the spotlight on K-content has never been stronger.

What challenges lie ahead for Korean culture and content to take the next step as a global standard? what do we need to do?

Thank you for your time and for your insights tonight Youngdae and Prof.Saeji, we appreciate it.

And that will be all from us on Within The Frame.

Be sure to tune in next time as we continue to explore the stories that matter. Until then, stay informed and engaged!