SEOUL (AFP) – The fictional girl group known as the Huntrix, made famous by Netflix’s record-shattering animation KPop Demon Hunters, is set to receive a major expansion, with the streaming giant reportedly planning to turn the hit series into a film trilogy.

According to US entertainment news outlet The Wrap, Netflix is looking to capitalise on the show’s massive success by commissioning sequels. The plans reportedly extend beyond a film series to include a stage musical and a live-action remake, with a short film also in the works to bridge content between the movies.

The animated film, which follows the Huntrix trio Rumi, Zooey and Mira as they protect the world from demons disguised as K-pop idols, has become Netflix’s most-watched original animated film. It reached its peak viewership six weeks after its launch on June 20, a first for the platform, and amassed an impressive 26.3 million views for the week of July 21 to 27.

The film’s success was mirrored by its soundtrack, produced by K-pop label Black Label and featuring lyricists behind BTS hits. The album gained over 41 million monthly listeners on Spotify, with all eight tracks landing on Billboard’s Hot 100 charts. The single Golden notably topped the UK Official Singles Chart on August 1, marking the first time a K-pop song has achieved this feat in over a decade, since Psy’s Gangnam Style in 2012.

Co-directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans echoed the sentiment of expansion, telling US entertainment portal The Ankler that it “would be a missed opportunity not to pursue” further content.

“Most movies end with a possibility because you always want to keep that door open. There are a lot of backstories that we haven’t fleshed out,” Kang said.

The film is also drawing Oscar buzz, with a one-week, three-theatre run in Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco to qualify it for a nomination. The song Golden is also being considered for the Best Original Song category.

Netflix co-chief executive Ted Sarandos hailed the film as a “phenomenal success” during a recent earnings call, adding, “People are in love with this film and in love with the music from this film, and that will keep it going for a long time. Now the next beat is, where does it go from here?”

-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin