Veteran actor Lee Byung Hun has once again proven his global appeal and acting range through his latest project, K-Pop Demon Hunters, a Netflix animated film that fuses fantasy, action, and the glittering world of K-pop.
Voicing the central villain “Gwima,” Lee added both gravitas and nuance to a character that could have easily been one-dimensional.
His performance elevated the role, transforming Gwima into a compelling mix of menace, charisma, and even unexpected charm.
In K-Pop Demon Hunters, Gwima is portrayed as an ancient demon king who gains power by absorbing human souls and sets out to manipulate one of the main characters, Jinu—a member of the fictional boy band “Saja Boys.”
Despite having limited screen time, Lee’s vocal presence left a strong impression. With a deep, commanding tone, he conveyed not only Gwima’s darkness but also subtle emotional complexity, especially in scenes where the character shows his more awkward, almost human side.
Lee revealed in an interview with Dispatch that his involvement in the film began while he was in the U.S., where he had meetings with Sony Pictures.
Drawn in by the unique blend of Korean pop culture and fantasy elements, he signed on early in the planning stages.
Initially, Lee was only expected to voice the English version of Gwima, but he ultimately performed both the English and Korean dubs—making him the only cast member to do so.
His experience with English voice acting, however, was far from easy. Lee admitted that voicing a character in another language came with its own set of challenges.
“It required an understanding of emotions, nuances, and cultural differences,” he said.
While the Korean dub was completed in just one day, the English sessions were spread across three separate recordings to fine-tune his delivery and emotional inflections.
This dedication speaks volumes about his commitment to the craft and the character.
When asked about the most memorable scene, Lee pointed to a moment that stood out for its dark humor: Gwima awkwardly singing along to a song by Jinu.
It was a small yet significant scene that showed a different facet of the villain—a brief window into his flawed, almost relatable side.
“He’s supposed to be a terrifying, powerful being,” Lee explained, “but there’s something clumsy and endearing about him that I really enjoyed portraying.”
The response to K-Pop Demon Hunters has been massive. Within 24 hours of its Netflix debut, the film topped streaming charts in 22 countries including the U.S., U.K., and Australia.
It has remained at No. 1 globally in the film category for 12 straight days, becoming a breakout hit.
The movie’s premise—K-pop idols living secret lives as demon slayers—has struck a chord with audiences worldwide, blending high-energy music and thrilling action with relatable character struggles.
Lee also expressed how meaningful it was to be part of a project that centered around K-pop, noting,
“I realized people are far more interested and responsive to K-pop than I imagined. As someone who participated in the project, it was both rewarding and uplifting.”
Director Maggie Kang echoed this sentiment, praising Lee’s dedication and insight.
“From the very beginning, he asked thoughtful questions and embraced the concept fully,” she said, describing his involvement as one of the most impactful aspects of the production.
Meanwhile, Lee Byung Hun continues to dominate on multiple fronts. Alongside his work in animation, he returned as the enigmatic Front Man in Squid Game Season 3, which broke new Netflix records by amassing over 60.1 million views within three days of release.
This dual success in both live-action and animation speaks to his remarkable versatility and enduring star power.
With K-Pop Demon Hunters, Lee Byung Hun once again shows why he remains one of South Korea’s most respected and internationally recognized actors.
His ability to add layers to even the most fantastical characters—and do so in multiple languages—demonstrates not only his talent, but also his relentless pursuit of excellence in every role he takes on.
