Maggie Kang, the creator of KPop Demon Hunters, now holds a Key to the City of Toronto, where she grew up. On Friday, May 8, 2026, Mayor Olivia Chow presented the Academy Award winner with the honour on behalf of the City of Toronto following Kang’s fireside chat, From Vision to Phenomenon: Inside KPop Demon Hunters, which took place at the Bluma Appel Theatre at the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts as part of this year’s Departure Festival + Conference.
In a statement, Chow said Kang’s work reflects both her Korean heritage and Toronto upbringing, praising the filmmaker for creating stories that have resonated with audiences around the world and will inspire generations to come.
“Toronto is a city where creativity and culture come together in powerful ways. Maggie Kang is one of the artists who brings that to life, with storytelling that is both personal and globally recognized,” said Chow. “One of those stories, KPop Demon Hunters, has connected with households across our city and around the world, bringing families together through themes of friendship, identity and belonging. Her work reflects both her Korean heritage and her Toronto roots. On behalf of the people of Toronto, I am proud to present her with the Key to the City.”
According to the city, the Key to the City is the highest honour awarded by Toronto’s mayor and recognizes people or groups who have made significant contributions to civic life.
Born in Seoul and raised in Toronto, Kang studied classical animation at Sheridan College before being recruited to work in the United States at DreamWorks Animation and later Sony Pictures Animation. She worked as a story artist on films including Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, Shrek Forever After, Puss in Boots, Rise of the Guardians, Kung Fu Panda 3, Trolls and Minions: The Rise of Gru, and served as head of story on The Lego Ninjago Movie.
Kang came up with the story for KPop Demon Hunters in the summer of 2018, and the film finally premiered on Netflix in June 2025. Since its release, the global sensation has reportedly become the streamer’s most-watched film of all time, spawned a record-breaking soundtrack and been greenlit for a sequel.
K-Pop Demon Hunters 2 is officially in development and is expected to be released on Netflix in 2029. Earlier during the Departure panel, Kang teased the next film, saying she plans to put just as much pressure on herself as she did with the first movie and create something she personally wants to see.
The Departure Festival + Conference, formerly known as Canadian Music Week, runs until Sunday, May 10, 2026, in downtown Toronto. Tickets and the full schedule, including conference panels, summits, performances and activations, are available at departureto.com.
