When K-pop Meets K-drama Royalty
What do you get when two BTS members, the ‘Squid Game’ villain, and a hit Netflix director walk into a party? Apparently, a Korean version of Mount Rushmore—at least according to Maggie Kang.
On June 24, Maggie Kang, director of the wildly popular Netflix animated film KPOP Girls! Demon Hunters, posted an Instagram Story featuring a photo with BTS’s V, RM, and veteran actor Lee Byung Hun. She jokingly captioned it “Korean Mount Rushmore 🇰🇷,” a nod to the iconic American monument which features carved faces of four U.S. presidents.
A Netflix Powerhouse Behind the Lens
Kang’s debut project, KPOP Girls! Demon Hunters, took Netflix by storm, becoming the platform’s first animated feature to cross 300 million views. The film blends fast-paced action with a glossy K-pop aesthetic, and features Lee Byung Hun voicing the demonic boss villain.
Her post isn’t just a flex—it reflects her deep admiration for Korean pop culture, something she’s woven into every frame of her breakout hit. Speaking previously, Kang emphasized her commitment to authentically repping Korean identity on a global stage.
A VIP Night for Hallyu Heavyweights
So, how did all these stars end up in one frame? Turns out, they crossed paths at the afterparty of Decision to Leave director Park Chan-wook’s latest film, Revenant. Lee Byung Hun stars in the critically acclaimed thriller, which has already wowed at global film festivals including Venice.
BTS’s V and RM—both riding high on anticipation for their post-military comeback—also attended the VIP screening on June 22. Fan excitement was off the charts, considering it was a rare moment seeing the two together during their service break.
Fans Can’t Get Enough of This Legendary Link-Up
Netizens quickly dubbed the moment a crossover episode no one expected but everyone needed. The image of Maggie Kang grinning beside three of Korea’s most powerful cultural exports sent fans into overdrive. One user summed it up: “This is not a photo. It’s a cultural relic.”
As the lines between animation, film, and K-pop continue to blur, one thing’s clear—the Hallyu wave isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
Final Take
Whether it’s V’s global star power, RM’s quiet charisma, Lee Byung Hun’s acting legacy, or Maggie Kang’s animation wizardry, this photo captures what makes Hallyu unstoppable: talent, synergy, and a whole lot of swagger.
So here’s the real question: Who else belongs on Korea’s Mount Rushmore of pop culture?
