Resilience and an undying passion to move forward and grow are the two defining values that ARIRANG embodies. BTS captures that spirit through their KEEP SWIMMING with BTS documentary series as they spotlight creative minds who run on that same wavelength, channeling the essence of ARIRANG in their own lives and areas of expertise as well.
One such guest who BTS features in the latest episode is the director of Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters, Maggie Kang. During her episode, she dives deeper into the immense success and numerous accolades that the series has garnered since its release.
From the soundtrack's hit song 'Golden' winning the Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media to the show winning Best Animated Feature at the Oscars, there is no limit to the massive impact that KPop Demon Hunters has had on the world of film and TV. Kang also touches on the making of the show itself and how it helped her tap into her cultural identity as a Korean.
She explores her background and the significance it had on her creation of the show as she shares, "Even though I’ve lived abroad longer, it’s strange. Every time I come to Korea, the moment the plane touches down, I feel like, ‘I’m home.’ Being Korean has always felt like my number one identity. I want to keep overcoming fear and remain fearless because only when you’re fearless can you do something incredible."
She reinforces how her unapologetic and fearless depiction of her culture through the vivid animations not only put the film on the map as one of the greatest animated movies of 2025 but expanded the reach of Korean culture far beyond the region as children all over the world sing along to the iconic soundtrack. Her incredible success story is steeped in the spirit of ARIRANG and the belief behind the lead single 'SWIM,' swimming against the tide to navigate the open ocean at your own pace.
Since the short documentary series began on 7 April, several Koreans from various industries have sat before the camera to detail their underdog stories and how their undying determination has brought them to the forefront of their various disciplines. Including names such as cinema auteur Park Chan-wook, fashion designer Nora Noh, Olympic gold medalist snowboarder Choi Gaon, and Venerable Sunjae, Maggie Kang now takes her place among the legends featured on the series.
Maggie Kang's journey, from creating a groundbreaking animated series to embracing her cultural identity, reflects the themes of ARIRANG, overcoming challenges with courage and tenacity. As KEEP SWIMMING with BTS continues to spotlight extraordinary individuals like Kang, it celebrates the enduring drive to break boundaries and leave a lasting impact, proving that when you swim against the tide, incredible things can happen.
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