Syncing Up Music And Choreography In An Animated Movie Is Apparently ‘Torturous,’ And The KPop Demon Hunters Directors Told Me Why

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Watching KPop Demon Hunters left me spellbound for numerous reasons. It mirrors the uniqueness of the animated world in Spider-verse, and its infectious pop tunes are hard to resist. But what truly captivated me is the flawless synchronization between every choreographed scene, be it a fight or dance, with the film’s original music. Interviewing the directors of this 2025 Netflix release, I inquired about this process, and they described it as “arduous.

During an interview with Chris Appelhans and Maggie Kang, the creative minds behind “KPop Demon Hunters”, I delved into the intricate process of synchronizing music with animation. They chuckled as they admitted that this is a challenging task. Yet, they’ve perfected it through a streamlined workflow with their editors, which Chris Appelhans outlined as follows:

The process was quite grueling yet rewarding [laughs]. To elaborate, we were fortunate enough to have an exceptional editor initially, followed by a remarkable music editor within our team named Oren Yaacoby. This individual is both a musician and an editor, which proved invaluable for us. Our picture editor, Nathan [Schauf], would create a rhythmic visual composition, and then Oren would dissect the song, adding or removing parts as necessary. He’d often tell Nathan, ‘I’ve solved it, but I need eight more frames here to get it right.’ So, it was like solving a complex mathematical puzzle, yet also a narrative and entertaining challenge. Having people who could handle that was crucial for our success.

Indeed, that process seems quite “challenging.” Yet, the meticulous step-by-step approach proved immensely fruitful. In every instance of KPop Demon Hunters, I was captivated by the demon hunters and demons, who not only danced as if they were pop stars but also engaged in intense battles synchronized to the rhythm.

In summary, following Appelhans’ explanation on the editors’ efforts to ensure perfect synchronization, Kang discussed the process their team undertook to animate the musical scenes for the latest streaming film. She revealed that they employed a unique method, resembling a metronome, by using a “bouncing ball” as a guide to maintain rhythm during animation.

In any narrative, the music is given priority as it plays a crucial role in the tale itself. It’s not just background noise but an integral part of the storytelling process. To ensure synchronization, they employed a moving ball-like guide to capture the rhythm accurately, and subsequently adjusted the animation beats to harmonize with the chosen music.

After learning the details of the process, I realized it was going to be challenging, but now that I understand exactly what’s involved, it seems even harder than I initially imagined. This revelation has made the movie much more impactful for me as well.

Inquiring about their initial experience listening to the movie’s songs, I found that the directors became emotional. Upon asking them to pinpoint the particular scene in the film that evoked this response, Maggie Kang mentioned…

It seems to me that the “How It’s Done” version we listened to conveyed a sense that it had reached an ideal level of coolness. The lyrics implied that they were not simply idols, but also warriors with hidden depths. All these elements combined in such a way that it felt like we had found our song.

This scene is particularly thrilling as “How It Unfolds” serves as the introductory backdrop for our tale. Here, for the first time, we witness the girls engage in combat, serenade us with melodious tunes, and execute captivating dance moves. The visual spectacle underscores their diverse talents beautifully. Moreover, it masterfully synchronizes its action-packed sequences with rhythmic music, creating an epic symphony of excitement. This multi-faceted scene encapsulates all the points discussed earlier, and you can catch a glimpse of it right here: [Video Link]

Wasn’t that impressive? She literally timed a catch of a coffee pot perfectly with the rhythm! The projectiles were synchronized to the tune! The editing was also on rhythm. Honestly, it left me speechless, and even more so now that I understand the effort put into creating sequences like this.

If you’re eagerly anticipating catching the rhythmic brilliance that is “KPop Demon Hunters,” slated for release in 2025, there’s no need to wait! Stream this exhilarating blend of music and action right away by subscribing to Netflix. Enjoy the spectacle from the comfort of your home!

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2025-06-22 01:07