S.Korean President Lee to meet KPop Demon Hunters director Maggie Kang, TWICE

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will meet with Maggie Kang, director of the Netflix animated feature KPop Demon Hunters, along with K-pop girl group TWICE, in Seoul to discuss the future vision of the Korean music industry, the Korean presidential office announced Tuesday.

Lee will appear on a special program, K-Pop: The Next Chapter, which will air on Arirang TV on Wednesday, to share insights on the current status and future of the global K-pop phenomenon.

The TV show will feature Kang; TWICE members Jihyo and Jeongyeon; producer R.Tee, known for his work on numerous music projects; and local pop music critic Kim Young-dae.

“The program will bring together key figures across the industry to reflect on K-pop’s global status and the opportunities ahead for Korean content,” the presidential office said. “It will provide a forum to exchange visions and ideas for K-pop’s next chapter.”

The office said Asia's fourth-largest economy must keep innovating in cultural industries, including K-pop, to cement its position among the world’s top five soft-power nations.

“The voices and insights shared in this program will be reflected in shaping future policy directions,” it added.

At a cabinet meeting Monday, President Lee hailed KPop Demon Hunters as a new source of national strength for Korea.

“We must step up efforts to reinforce Korea’s status as a cultural powerhouse," Lee said.

"Government ministries should follow an arm’s-length approach, offering support without interference, as they craft global expansion strategies for K-culture, including K-pop, and build out related infrastructure.”

Write to Byung-yeon Yoo at yooby@hankyung.com