On with Kara Swisher The Story Behind Netflix’s Most Popular Film Ever
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Feb 23, 2026 
Maggie Kang, director and creator who drew on her Korean heritage to shape the film’s mythology. Chris Appelhans, co-director and songwriter who brought anime and K-drama musical sensibilities. They discuss the film’s surprise global smash, writing the hit song "Golden," rooting the story in mudang mythology, blending 3D and 2D animation, AI’s impact on creativity, and plans for a sequel.
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Pop Archetypes Make Songs Universal
- The team wrote Golden to be a legitimate pop anthem that also encodes character struggle.
- They drew on hip-hop and pop archetypes to make a globally resonant K-pop track.
Use Cultural Specificity As A Lens
- Root stories in culturally specific elements to create texture and authenticity.
- Maggie prioritized mudang, food, fashion and rituals to view the world through a Korean lens.
How The Co-Directing Partnership Clicked
- Chris fell hard for the project after ten minutes of lunch with Maggie and shelved his other ideas.
- His wife Maureen Gu inspired authentic character traits and helped bridge cultural nuance.