The heart of Netflix’s most-watched movie ever, “KPop Demon Hunters”, lies in the power of a voice. Particularly the voices of three pop musicians-turned-demon hunters known as HUNTR/X.
It makes sense, then, that thousands of people came to a Saturday evening panel at FanX to hear one of those voices. May Hong, who voices the character Mira in the animated film, took to the stage alongside moderator Stephanie Carr.
HUNTR/X use their singing powers to protect the people of their world from demons. Audrey Nuna does the singing for Mira, while Hong voices her dialogue.
A small boy in the Salt Lake City crowd immediately recognized Hong, telling his mother he could tell that Hong was the voice of Mira.
The crowd was packed with lots of fans — from young kids to adults — some donning purple and pink wigs to match the HUNTR/X characters. The panel started 10 minutes late, but that didn’t discourage fans, who sang and were on their feet cheering, especially when a song from the film was played.
Carr first asked Hong how she felt being a current “icon of culture.”
“I feel like I’m watching it from the outside too, almost, except for when what just happened,” she said, referencing the roaring welcome she received. “I am observing it as this global phenomenon as much as anyone else … There’s no way I could have possibly imagined that it would be like this.”
Hong did not answer any questions from fans, due to contract stipulations, according to Christopher Provost, who hosts the Grand Ballroom panels at FanX. He said it was a stipulation that got Hong to attend FanX.
When Carr asked Hong what role she’s portrayed that has stuck with her, she mentioned the role of Mira, along with her role as Margot Park from “Tales of the City.”
“I feel so closely tied to just the way that Mira feels,” Hong said.
She said there isn’t a certain song or lyric from the film that resonated with her, but she did love the scene in the film when her character went into the room of bandmate Rumi to ask her what was wrong.
“I like that conversation so much because Mira and I are so aligned in that way of just like, if I feel that something needs to be aired out or talked about, I am gonna bring it up,” Hong said.
Still, the crowd was enraptured by the panel, listening as Hong answered questions about her career as an actress and model.
“I just feel so humbled and privileged that I get to be a small part of something that makes people happy,” Hong said.