On Feb 25, Samsung Electronics hosted Galaxy Unpacked 2026 in San Francisco, unveiling the third technology of AI telephones, Galaxy S26 sequence.
Maggie Kang, the co-director of KPOP DEMON HUNTERS, joined Galaxy Unpacked 2026 because the occasion’s artistic associate, shaping the expertise from idea to stage. Kang introduced a definite artistic perspective to the launch along with her cultural authenticity and imaginative world-building.
Samsung Newsroom sat down with Kang to debate her involvement in Galaxy Unpacked 2026 and the way she approached mixing tradition, creativity and innovation.
Q. The assembly of a cultural icon such as you and know-how is refreshing. How did you come to tackle this function?
Thank you! What excited me about this collaboration wasn’t simply the chance to advise on an occasion, however the likelihood to discover how storytelling and know-how intersect. Samsung has lengthy been on the forefront of innovation, and I see know-how as a strong artistic medium in itself. Samsung represents a novel bridge between heritage and the longer term — one thing I deeply relate to in my very own work. This felt much less like a typical partnership and extra like a shared artistic dialogue about how tradition and know-how can form new experiences collectively.
Q. What stood out to you about collaborating with Samsung for the primary time? Were there any memorable moments?
I used to be really impressed by how open-minded Samsung was all through the collaboration. I pitched a number of concepts that may have been thought of a bit unconventional for a tech model like Samsung, however they have been extremely receptive. This form of openness allowed us to discover new artistic potentialities collectively.
One memorable second was after we labored collectively in particular person whereas I used to be visiting Seoul final December. It was greater than only a productive session; it felt like a shared artistic journey. The workforce went out of their approach to create an environment the place collaboration flowed naturally, even offering scrumptious native snacks to get pleasure from throughout our periods. Those moments actually stood out — they added a private contact to the skilled expertise and helped foster a deeper sense of connection.
Q. What did you concentrate on most when advising on the artistic elements of the occasion?
As with all the pieces I do, the very first thing I centered on was at all times the story — how can we craft an expertise that really connects with the viewers? How can we make know-how really feel relatable to customers?
For me, it was additionally important to weave within the Korean component. Samsung, headquartered in Korea, carries with it a legacy that holds a novel cultural significance. I wished to make sure that this heritage wasn’t simply acknowledged however lived by way of the narrative, even in delicate methods. Whether it’s by way of visible storytelling or cultural references, I felt it was necessary to maintain that spirit alive, making a deeper connection for each native and world audiences.
Q. What is the one factor you need the viewers to remove from the occasion?
I hope the viewers walks away with a way of pleasure about how Samsung is pushing boundaries and exploring new artistic instructions. The workforce really took daring steps, showcasing concepts we haven’t seen from Samsung earlier than. I would like them to understand not simply the innovation, however the openness — Samsung is embracing a spirit of openness that redefines what the model stands for.
Q. As you labored on Galaxy Unpacked 2026, how did you view Samsung’s function in shaping tradition by way of know-how?
Honestly, I discovered a lot from working with the Samsung workforce. There’s a lot Samsung is doing to advance know-how to enhance our lives. I discovered myself telling the workforce “I need this right now” many many instances! And as a result of a lot is being achieved by Samsung, I actually wished to assist get that message throughout to customers — that’s what Galaxy Unpacked 2026 is all about!
What excited me most was serving to convey the occasion’s message:…
