At this point, nothing more can or needs to be said about the global phenomenon that is KPop Demon Hunters. With a sequel to the smash-hit animated film in the works, the fandom isn’t showing signs of slowing down anytime soon. In fact, an “Inside the Saja Boys” panel took place at New York Comic Con last month that explored the musical and cultural phenomenon of Netflix and Sony Pictures Animation’s hit film. The Beat had the opportunity to participate in roundtable discussions with some of the panelists including Neckwav, the singing voice of Saja Boys member Abby in the film, and Emmy-nominated actor/producer and talent manager and producer Rich Ting, to discuss the impact of KPop Demon Hunters.
For Ting, the true marvel is the fact that KPop Demon Hunters gained such a cult following despite minimal marketing. “They just threw it on the platform and it blew up,” he said. “I look at it from a different perspective. No marketing, everyone is talking about, the title is KPop Demon Hunters. When you think about it, it’s such a weird title. It continues to blow my mind.”
Before his involvement in KPop Demon Hunters, Neckwav was an already established talent in the K-pop industry. Since the film’s release, his profile has certainly increased and even changed the way his approach to music. “It has opened so many doors for me as a songwriter and singer as well,” he revealed. “When I write music, I was writing for myself. After the film, I wanted to listen to the fans and see what they wanted to hear”
Compared to others, Neckwav is relatively new to the industry having broken into K-pop around six years ago. As such, he always defers to those with more knowledge and experience in the business including Ting himself who said, “Even in the ‘90s I was a fan of K-pop.
He added, “Around 2010 mid-2015, things started to break and got more exposure to America and Europe. We’re in 2026. It’s gone to a point where all Asian cultures have tried to put out our individual tastes and flavors to the world showing who we are and what we represent. Now it’s the inverse. The world is demanding it.”
I’m sure the vast majority of KPop Demon Hunters aficionados are well aware that the speaking voice for Abby is performed by SongWon Cho, an incredible well respected and fan-favorite voice actor. Though they have yet to meet in person, Neckwav is very eager especially after Cho posted a hilarious comedy video on social media of himself attempting to sing the song “Soda Pop.”
Fans are likewise well aware that all although the the Saja Boys share the same CG body model, Abby is the exception and distinguished by his enormous abdominal muscles hence the character’s name. Neckwav joked that he hopes someday to achieve the same abs. “The funny thing is I’m not a huge gym guy but the one routine I did was abs. Of course Abby is a big guy. He was the only Sanja Boy with a different model. [director] Maggie [Kang] specifically wanted Abby to be bigger than the Boys. Not only the abs now I have to work on getting big which is difficult because I barely eat anything.”
SNL garnered much attention last year for its Season 51 premiere with host Bad Bunny, particularly the viral sketch featuring Bad Bunny playing an obsessive KPop Demon Hunters fan who summons the actual real-life vocal trio behind the fictional animated group HUNTR/X.
Ting noted the parallels between the music of Bad Bunny and KPop Demon Hunters. “What’s been phenomenal is usually we’re trying to conform to the script and character and help the audience identify with us. When in fact now, it’s the audience wanting the authentic picture.”
He elaborated further by citing Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Halftime Show performance. “He didn’t sing one English song. He was authentic to who he is and what he represents. The Super Bowl doesn’t get more American than that. My point to all this is the authenticity of these cultures has permeated and transcended not only generational but cultural barriers. You go to Netflix’s platform right now, there’s more international content than English American content. That just speaks for itself. The audience is telling us, ‘just be you.’”
Stay tuned to The Beat for more news from NYCC ’26.
