From Directors Maggie Kang and Kim Jee-woon to Cinematography, Screenwriting, and Acting — Korean Film Professionals Named to the 2026 AMPAS Invitation List

(From left) Maggie Kang, Chris Appelhans, Michelle L.M.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) released its 2026 new member invitation list on June 24 (local time), and among the 529 invitees are a number of individuals connected to the Korean film industry — spanning animation, genre filmmaking, cinematography, screenwriting, and acting.

Among the invitees, Korean-Canadian director Maggie Kang commands particular attention. Her Netflix animated feature KPop Demon Hunters, co-directed with Chris Appelhans, swept the 98th Academy Awards this past March, taking home both Best Animated Feature Film and Best Original Song. Five others associated with the film have also been extended invitations alongside Kang: co-director Chris Appelhans, producer Michelle L.M. Wong, singer-songwriter EJAE — who performed and co-wrote the winning song "Golden" — co-lyricist Mark Sonnenblick, and music editor Oren Yaacoby.

Genre filmmaker Kim Jee-woon also appears on the list. Known for a filmography that crosses the boundaries of horror, espionage, and mystery — encompassing I Saw the Devil, The Age of Shadows, and Cobweb — Kim has long been recognized for sustaining a distinctively personal style across markedly different genre territory. Korean film professionals were also represented in other disciplines: cinematographer Kim Woo-hyung and screenwriter Lee Kyoung-mi, both credited on Park Chan-wook's No Other Choice, received invitations side by side. Korean-American actor Kenneth Choi, known for his work in Spider-Man: Homecoming and The Wolf of Wall Street, was likewise included.

According to international media reports, women account for 42% of this year's total invitee class, individuals from underrepresented communities 56%, and those from outside the United States — drawn from more than 60 countries and territories — 53%. The concurrent inclusion of Korean-connected professionals across animation, genre filmmaking, cinematography, screenwriting, and acting is widely seen as consistent with the Academy's ongoing effort to broaden the diversity of its membership.

Academy membership is extended by invitation, following a process of sponsorship and committee review. Those who accept the invitation receive full membership status and Oscar voting rights. Membership is typically held for life, entitling members to participate in nomination and final winner selection within their respective branches. Whether the current invitees will accept has not yet been publicly confirmed.

Sources

• VARIETY, "Film Academy Invites 529 New Members: Jacob Elordi, Jenna Ortega, Teyana Taylor and More to Become Oscar Voters", 2026.06.24
• Newsweek, "The Academy Invites 529 Members; Jacob Elordi, Teyana Taylor Among Them", 2026.06.25
• Yonhap News Agency, "Directors Maggie Kang and Kim Jee-woon Among New AMPAS Member Invitees", 2026.06.25
• The Straits Times, "Oscars invite KPop Demon Hunters team to be voting members", 2026.06.25