Oscar Winner from Idaho Falls Inspires Young Filmmakers

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Christopher Appelhans, a filmmaker from Idaho Falls, Idaho, won two Oscars for his Netflix original animated musical film 'KPop Demon Hunters.' The film, which follows a three-member female K-pop band that leads a double life protecting the world from demons, has become Netflix's most-watched original title with over 500 million views. Appelhans, along with his co-director Maggie Kang and producer Michelle Wong, were awarded 'Best Animated Feature' and 'Best Original Song' at the ceremony.

Why it matters

Appelhans' success highlights the growing demand for diverse, culturally-relevant stories in the entertainment industry. As a white filmmaker with a personal connection to Korean culture through his wife, he was able to collaborate with Kang to create a film that authentically represented Korean identity and resonated globally. His message to young filmmakers to 'tell your story' and that 'the world is waiting' underscores the importance of amplifying underrepresented voices in media.

The details

Appelhans co-directed 'KPop Demon Hunters' with Maggie Kang, a woman of Korean ancestry who came up with the idea for the film. The animated musical urban fantasy follows a three-member female K-pop band that leads a double life protecting the world from demons. The film premiered on Netflix in June 2025 and has since become the platform's most-watched original title, garnering over 500 million views. It was also the first film soundtrack to have four songs in the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart simultaneously.

• The film premiered on Netflix in June 2025.
• The film recently won two Golden Globe awards in the same categories as the Oscars.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Appelhans says there is 'a huge appetite' for a sequel to 'KPop Demon Hunters,' but so far nothing has been announced. He wants to 'take a deep breath' from all the attention before trying to make that happen.