She refused to make picture perfect female superheroes
Instead, she made Netflix’s #1 movie of all time
The Female Quotient
September 09, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 12 minutes
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We just witnessed the birth of a new kind of female superhero: She’s messy, silly, and real
For decades, female superheroes have evolved from sidekicks in spandex to box office titans. Characters like Wonder Woman, Captain Marvel, and Black Widow have redefined how we see powerful women on screen. Yet one thing hasn’t changed: The demand that female heroes be polished, flawless, and perpetually perfect. The strong female lead can be a bad-ass, sure. As long as she doesn’t make an unflattering face while doing it.
Maggie Kang wanted to change that.
Kang is the visionary creator and co-director of Netflix's cultural phenomenon, "KPop Demon Hunters," a film that's shattered every rule about what makes a "marketable" female hero.
"I didn't feel like I was seeing female superheroes in the way that I wanted to see them," Kang explains, "which is very real and women who are a little silly, or a lot silly, and eat a lot and get pot bellies and are allowed to look quote-unquote 'ugly' and make weird faces."
Kang's vision took seven years from pitch to premiere. Seven years of being told the concept was too niche, too specific, too Korean, too much. And before it became a global sensation, Kang poured her heart into shaping the story from her own idea, years of writing, animating, and even acting out scenes with her team. She created a film that celebrates friendship, music, and real women, the kind who are silly, messy, strong, and unapologetically themselves.
Kang never dumbed down her vision or tied herself in knots trying to make it more "universal." Instead, she created what she wanted to see: Female characters who could save the world while sporting a double chin, in an authentically Korean world.
Even with the increasing popularity of K-Pop around the world, Kang’s dedication to Korean archetypes, stories, and even character mouth-shapes still felt risky. At every turn, she was convinced producers would pull the plug.
Instead, the film has amassed over 236 million views on Netflix since its June release, making it Netflix's most-watched movie of all time. Three of the film's original songs ("Golden," "Your Idol," and "Soda Pop") even hit the top 10 rankings of Billboard's Hot 100 chart.
So if you've ever worried that your big idea is "too much," let Kang's success be your inspiration:
Specificity is your superpower. The elements studios worried were "too Korean" became the film's greatest strengths. When you create from authentic truth, you expand what audiences everywhere hunger for.
Imperfection is the new perfection. In an era of curated social media and heavy filters, audiences crave realness. Kang's heroines resonate precisely because they break the mold.
Fear is your compass. "Be brave. If you're working on something and you are scared to show it," Kang advises, "you're probably doing something right. At times it was terrifying for me to make this film." That flutter of fear signals you're pushing boundaries.
Don't wait for permission. "You can't make something great if you are working in fear. You have to make something YOU like," says Kang. She didn't wait for the industry to be ready. She took action.
When women stop shrinking to fit existing frameworks and instead create new ones, the world responds. Kang’s journey is a reminder that bravery and vulnerability fuel creativity. This is girl power turned global phenomenon.
TROUBLEMAKER SPOTLIGHT
Sheila Lirio Marcelo, Co‑Founder and CEO of Ohai.ai, Founder of Care.com
Sheila Lirio Marcelo turned "babysitting" into a billion-dollar business and proved that the most revolutionary acts often start with the most everyday needs.
The Filipino-American founder built Care.com from the ground up, taking it from startup to acquisition by IAC in 2020. Now she's tackling the care economy again as Co-Founder and CEO of Ohai.ai, a generative AI startup that lightens the cognitive load of busy families through their virtual assistant, O.
She’s been recognized as one of Fortune's "Top 10 Women Entrepreneurs" and was the youngest-ever recipient of the Harvard Business School Alumni Achievement Award. Sheila has spent two decades changing the face of "women's work."
FQ: What’s the worst career advice you’ve gotten?
“With all your education and experience, why would you start a babysitting company?” A classmate from business school asked me that when I was starting Care.com. It wasn’t overt “advice” but it felt like a criticism. It also made me pause and reflect on what truly mattered to me.
When I graduated from Harvard Business School, I think it was around 30 or 40% women, so I had this fear that if I started a female-focused business I would be labeled as “not a strong business person.” Since then, I’ve learned that real confidence is built around asking yourself what truly matters to you, and being brave enough to face those questions. I knew that I needed to really dig deep and ask, “Do I care about perceptions or do I care about my inner purpose?”
What’s the best piece of non-obvious career advice you’ve gotten?
True strength comes from embracing what we call our opposing forces. You can be both nurturing and assertive. Strong and soft.
It creates a kind of quiet courage that allows you to show up with both grit and grace. People tend to think of ambitious people as “go-getters” or “in your face,” but I think real boldness is a blend of ambition and tenderness, and the reality of life is learning how to balance these opposites.
What was a “heartbeat moment” for you in your career?
When we took Care.com public at the New York Stock Exchange.
We had 50 of our closest family and friends there. I remember the NYSE said, “Wow, that's a lot of people to invite,” but we really wanted to celebrate! There were four co-founders: Dave, a Polish American; Donna, an African American; Zenobia, an Indian-American; and me, a Filipino American.
We shared this deep hug, tears rolling down our faces. It affirmed for us that in this country, with a combination of real meritocracy, a focus on mission, and the love and care that we had for each other, it was possible to build something like Care.com, and actually take it public. It was a very meaningful moment.
Who is one person you’d love to give flowers to from your career that influenced your journey?
There are actually two people. Dave Andre and Nicholas Beim.
They believed in me, and encouraged me to be more than I thought that I was capable of. Dave thought I could be a leader in tech. Nick thought I was ready to be a CEO when I only imagined myself as second-in-command.
The lesson I've learned is: People don't have to come from the same background as you to see you. Now I really try to pay that forward.
Where have you caused trouble?
I guess you'd call me a troublemaker, because care is often dubbed as “a women's issue.” But care is not a women's issue, it’s a family issue. Every individual person is impacted.
At conferences I’ll ask, “How many of you have kids?” Several people raise their hands. Then, “How many of you have nieces and nephews?” More hands. Finally, “How many of you have been kids?” And it suddenly dawns on everybody: This affects all of us.
We invest in roads and bridges, and we consider that infrastructure. But a mom or dad isn’t going to get in their car to drive to work, if they don't have great care at home. That's what we call a “care infrastructure.” It’s equally as important.
Want to nominate a “Troublemaker” you admire? You can do so here.
DEAR FQ
Your burning career questions answered
Vanessa Buenger of The Female Quotient weighs in:
If your former company has come knocking and offered your position back, first off, congrats! That's a huge validation. It means they valued you, re-evaluated their workforce needs, and realized they either made a mistake or found the budget to bring back talent like yours.
But, this doesn't mean you have to go back.
Just as they assessed their landscape, you need to assess yours. Is this the job you need right now? Is it a financial necessity? Or was this layoff nudging you towards something new?
You also need to consider the company itself. Do you feel the initial layoff was handled strategically and responsibly? If so, then perhaps the decision to welcome you back was also a well-thought-out, responsible choice, indicating a stable environment for your return.
Ultimately, this is a situation where you truly have to trust your gut and your intuition.
Think hard about the workplace you'd be re-entering. If it feels stable and you can see yourself making a long-term impact, and if you genuinely love working there, then I say go for it! However, if this pause has made you realize it was a sign to explore new horizons, that's perfectly okay too. The important thing is to put yourself first in this (and every other) situation.
P.S. Got a burning career question? Serve it up here to Dear FQ to score advice from a powerhouse leader in our network.
POLL THE PACK
Confidence starts with financial fundamentals.
The vast majority (50%) of employees identify financial stability as the cornerstone of their confidence, underscoring the link between economic empowerment and personal agency. When individuals are financially secure, they’re better positioned to make decisions, assert boundaries, and invest in their personal and professional growth. In other words, to live life on your own terms.
From knowing your worth to building financial literacy, taking care of your financial health boosts your confidence and sets you up for long-term success.
Remember, putting yourself first isn’t selfish, it’s strategy.
Xo,
The FQ
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