Ahn Hyo-seop Talks About Playing Jinu in “KPop Demon Hunters”

By Jae-Ha Kim
Substack (.pdf)
June 20, 2025

Ahn Hyo-seop (Courtesy: Netflix)

I have an interview with one of the stars of Kpop Demon Hunters that will be published early next week. While I can’t reveal who that is yet, I will say that it’s not with Ahn Hyo-seop, who voices Jinu — the leader of the Saja Boys. He, like the other Korean actors, weren’t in Los Angeles earlier this week to talk to the media.

If he had been, I for sure would’ve asked him about his K-pop trainee days at JYP Entertainment, because the man can dance, play the piano and has a very nice singing voice. Had he pursued K-pop, he undoubtedly would’ve been designated as the visual of that boy band.

But things worked out fine for him. His acting career is flourishing, with leading roles in K-dramas like “Abyss,” “Business Proposal,” and “A Time Called You” (one of my faves).

Netflix provided reporters with a short video of Ahn answering questions about his experience working on KPop Demon Hunters. I transcribed his replies as accurately as I could. However, I tweaked the questions to make them more interesting.

What drew you to this film?
I’ve been a big animation fan since I was a kid, so it kind of intrigued me to be a part of the process. Also, I kind of wanted to give my fans overseas a memorable and joyful experience.

What themes are represented in “Kpop Demon Hunters?
This movie has so many different charms. One of my favorite Korean words is 아름다운/areumdaum, and it means beautiful. It carries the meaning of being true to oneself. So this story has embraced the idea that everyone has their own unique beauty, and that it can be accepting of differences. That can be very empowering.

How would you describe Jinu and his motives?
So a long time ago, Jinu made a very dangerous but life changing decision to make a deal with Gwi-ma (Lee Byung-hun) in order to protect his family. And that choice led to suffering and being trapped in darkness with his soul under someone else’s control. But despite all of that, I think Jinu still carries warmth and has a deep sense of love and curiosity about humanity.

And what about the demon boy band, the Saja Boys?
They are a boy group made up of five demons, led by Jinu. Each member has a unique personality. They may look like a regular idols when reality, they’re demons.

How does K-pop propel this film?
This project blends story, performance and music in a way that captivates audiences with this powerful energy and a very sophisticated sound. I think the film really captures the energy, passion and the connection K Pop has with its fans. The performances are portrayed very beautifully.

Ahn Hyo-seop (Courtesy: Netflix)

What was your reaction to the film?
I was very excited and nervous at the same time. It’s really hard to put into words, but I remember feeling completely overwhelmed in the best way possible. I think a lot of people would enjoy this film with their family or with their friends. But when I finally saw the finished film, it went far beyond anything what I pictured in my mind. So it was really beautiful and also very moving and also very funny, and it felt really surreal.

What role does music play in this movie?
What stood out to me most was how deeply music and emotion are woven into the art of animation. In many animated films, music plays more of a background role, but in this film, the music , the story and the emotions are all very well intertwined.

How do you think KPop Demon Hunters will impact audiences?
I hope that this film reminds people that we all have darkness within us, and sometimes the bravest thing we can do is to just face it. And at its core, this is a story about finding the strength to trust your own voice and move forward. So I hope it offers comfort and courage to those who actually really need it.

What is your impression of co-directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans?
It was truly an honor to work with directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans. Both directors guided me with such warmth and care, which helped me adjust really quickly. And they supported me in gaining a deeper understanding of the character and created an open space where I could actually express myself freely as an actor. I’m very grateful.

What makes animation such a special medium for storytelling?
I think animation is a medium that transcends the limits of imagination. It brings to life anything we can dream of, unrestricted by reality, and often rich in emotion, meaning and depth. So whether you’re a child or an adult, animation has the power to move parts and tell stories that stay with you, and that’s what makes it so powerful.

It’s Where the Demons Hide

Since we’re talking about demons in this newsletter, I wanted to share a video of ENHYPEN singing the Imagine Dragons’ “Demons.” I almost always like the original song better than any covers. But this rendition of “Demons” is chef’s kiss and is my absolute favorite.