K-Pop Demon Hunters, Open-Ended World Building, and the Art of Genre Mashups

What happens when K-Pop stardom meets supernatural & urban fantasy action? A spectacularly fun move that works even when it “shouldn’t.” In this episode, Janeen Ippolito and special guest R.J. Metcalf unpack K-Pop Demon Hunters and what it can teach us about storytelling. From genre-bending fun to powerful character arcs, this movie is a case study in how mashups can draw in a wider audience, the potency of character arcs, and why

👉 Inside this episode:

* When open-ended world building actually offers more engagement (and endless YouTube theories about what it really means)

* How cultural perspectives shape reception

* Why authors shouldn’t shy away from complex themes

* The role of character arcs in fan investment

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