Maggie Kang to Explore the Next Phase of Global IP at the Origin Summit

Origin Summit has revealed its third roster of sessions for its main event, scheduled for September 23, 2025 in Seoul as part of Korea Blockchain Week. Among the newly announced speakers is Maggie Kang, the animation director acclaimed for Netflix’s groundbreaking original film K-POP DEMON HUNTERS. Kang will engage in an exclusive fireside chat delving into global narrative creation, fan communities, and the expanding impact of culture-driven intellectual property (IP).

Kang is recognized for her distinct narrative style, weaving Korean cultural themes with inventive character arcs. Her project, K-POP DEMON HUNTERS—which she wrote, directed, and produced—achieved worldwide acclaim upon release. The film amassed 236 million views within its first nine weeks on

and earned $19 million during its box office opening, making it the most-viewed animated movie on the platform at launch. Its soundtrack yielded eight tracks landing on the Billboard Hot 100, led by the chart-topping hit "Golden," and received high praise from critics, maintaining a 97% Rotten Tomatoes rating.

Kang’s creative output marks a shift from conventional depictions of female protagonists, instead introducing characters who are accessible, imperfect, and witty—striking a chord with viewers worldwide. This distinctive method helped cultivate a passionate, interactive fanbase, showcasing how culturally rooted IP can surpass geographic boundaries and spark global cultural trends.

The Origin Summit, produced by Story alongside Blockworks and Hankyung Media Group, convenes experts from AI, blockchain, finance, and IP sectors to discuss the infrastructure supporting the programmable IP economy. SY Lee, Story’s co-founder and CEO, underlined how Kang’s vision fits the Summit’s mission of spotlighting influential, globally relevant IP. He highlighted K-POP DEMON HUNTERS as a model for the participatory and programmable IP future the event seeks to advance.

Maggie Kang is among a growing lineup of distinguished speakers, including Kyoung In Jung (CEO, The Black Label), Arthur Hayes (Founder, Maelstrom), Justin Sun (Founder, TRON; Advisor, HTX), and other leaders from entertainment, blockchain, and finance. The conference is tailored for institutional investors, IP owners, AI technologists, and cultural innovators and will take place in Seoul. Due to space constraints, participants must submit an application through the official website.

Story, the blockchain platform powering the event’s IP infrastructure, has attracted $136 million in investment from backers such as a16z, Polychain, and Samsung Ventures. Its mainnet launched in February 2025, establishing Story as a frontrunner in tokenized IP infrastructure. The platform’s technology allows creators and developers to transform media, data, and AI-driven works into programmable digital assets with built-in rights, bridging the gap between legacy legal systems and the evolving landscape of AI-centric creation.

The Origin Summit is poised to shape the development of the programmable IP economy. By assembling influential figures like Maggie Kang, the event intends to examine ways in which AI, cryptocurrency, and capital can intersect to unlock IP as a powerful, untapped asset class. The success of K-POP DEMON HUNTERS illustrates the vast and growing global influence of culturally inspired IP.