KPop Demon Hunters Create Unique Wardrobes for Animated Costumes at Web Summit
Netflix’s animated feature, KPop Demon Hunters, has implemented a groundbreaking approach to animated costuming, as described by Sony Pictures Imageworks. Each main character boasts an extensive wardrobe, reflecting the film’s fashion-forward aesthetic.
Produced by Sony Pictures Animation, the film has achieved notable acclaim, winning two Oscars and emerging as a streaming sensation for Netflix. Insights into the film’s fashion were shared at the recent Web Summit in Vancouver.
Jacky Priddle, Senior Producer at Sony Imageworks, noted, “It’s obviously a K-pop movie, and K-pop bands are very fashionable. To accomplish this look, we did something that I don’t think has ever been done in any other animated movie; creating 20 different outfits per girl and a few more for the boys.”
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The result was a versatile wardrobe that allowed for an unprecedented array of outfit combinations. “We ended up having 75 possible combinations of outfits for each girl, which I think is some sort of a record. In animated movies, you see the character always wearing the same outfit because it’s very tricky to create them. But we decided, no, we need to invest in this part, and it needs to be very fashion forward,” Priddle explained.
KPop Demon Hunters has rapidly become Netflix’s most popular film, garnering 482 million views in the latter half of last year. Recently, Netflix and AEG Presents announced plans for a live experience through a world tour aimed at fans of the film.
Priddle emphasized the significance of the outfits in conveying the vision of directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans. “When we first met, Maggie said, this is about the girls, this is about fashion. She wasn’t so aware of the surroundings, the environment. It was more that these girls have to be top of their game. No one wears the same outfit twice.”
Despite the opulent wardrobes, the filmmakers aimed to ensure the characters remained relatable, striking a balance between glamour and everyday realism.
“They can be glamorous, but they can also be like, hey, without makeup, in their pajamas,” Priddle added. “We really were following what the directors were wanting to do about the portrayal of women. Especially our director, Maggie, she was very adamant about women not being these kind of dainty princesses. We’d show one of the girls without their makeup on and she’d be saying, ‘Make them more tired.’ Usually it’s more like, ‘No, you’ve gone too far.’”
Fans can expect even more outfits in the upcoming sequel, as Netflix has confirmed a follow-up to KPop Demon Hunters, with Kang and Appelhans returning to direct.
