KPop Demon Hunters’ May Hong on How She’s Similar to Mira in Real Life | Interview
ComingSoon Senior Editor Brandon Schreur spoke with KPop Demon Hunters star May Hong about the hit animated Netflix movie. Hong discussed why she was excited to voice Mira in the film, her new partnership with Raising Cane’s, and more.
“Fresh off her electrifying New York Comic Con appearances, international star May Hong, known globally as Mira in Netflix’s smash-hit KPop Demon Hunters, swapped her demon-slaying blades for Chicken Fingers during a surprise ‘shift’ at Raising Cane’s Times Square Global Flagship on Friday, Oct. 10,” a description of the partnership reads. “Stepping out of the animated world and into the real-life fryer, Hong worked the front counter, serving fans Box Combos and dishing out smiles and selfies, while enjoying a few Chicken Fingers herself!”
KPop Demon Hunters is now streaming on Netflix.
Brandon Schreur: May, I’d love to ask what it was that drew you to this project, initially. KPop Demon Hunters has become such a big thing, we all know it now. But when you first got the call about being in this movie, what was your initial reaction, and what made you want to join this project at first?
May Hong: I think it’s so obvious [laughs]. It’s kind of irresistible, don’t you think? I mean, the script — if you read it, you’d be excited about it, too. Everyone keeps asking, ‘Did you know this was going to be this big?’ Obviously, the answer is no. I couldn’t have possibly imagined. But I’ve started saying yes because I’m sick of saying no. Now that I’m saying it, it feels real. That’s kind of how I feel about it when I look back at when I read the script for the first time, where I was like, ‘This is so cool.’
I mean, this is so cool. As a kid who didn’t grow up seeing myself represented, or my culture represented — the closest thing for a Korean kid is, like, Mulan. Just to know that this was going to be made, and then to have an opportunity to be part of a project like that, is, like, totally unreal. I couldn’t have even imagined — like, this got greenlit, you know? So I was so excited it was being made. It was like, even if I don’t get it, I’m still so excited about it, you know?
I totally get it. And, I mean, we all love the characters in this movie. Mira is so great; I mean, she’s so cool, and it’s so cool how all three of the Hunters have their own very unique personalities. I’m just kind of curious, what was it about her, either when you were recording your lines in the booth or watching the movie back after it was released, that you found most intriguing about Mira? Like, what really resonates for you when it comes to her?
I think just actually how caring she is. I know that sounds really simple, but she really, really cares. She really, really wants to protect people around her, the people that she loves. I just love the sort of fierceness or the tough exterior with her gooey interior, actually. I think I’ve had people tell me, in my life, that I seem intimidating. Then we start talking, and I’m smiling, I’m more animated or whatever, and people know that I’m not actually like that, the people around that are close to me. I feel really in line with her, in that way. But, also, the aggression will come out if you hurt or threaten the people around me.
May, in addition to KPop Demon Hunters, you’re also doing this new partnership with Raising Cane’s. Can you tell me a little bit about what that entails and what’s got you excited there?
Well, my two friends from Houston — Jeff and Pat, shoutout Jeff and Pat — have spoken high praises about Raising Cane’s. It was like, ‘I got to try it.’ I cannot believe that this is the first time that I’m trying it while I’m on the phone with you.
Is it really? Oh, wow.
That sounds so crazy, but it is. And it’s really good!
It is good, I’m a fan.
It’s really good. So, yeah. I think the homies telling me that it rocks, I know it’s going to.
Thanks to May Hong for taking the time to discuss KPop Demon Hunters and Raising Cane’s.
Source: Comingsoon.net