“KPop Demon Hunters” is the latest addition to Netflix’s entourage of animated movies and has made waves in the movie industry with its record-breaking songs and unique concept. A Sony Pictures Animation production released on Netflix, the movie has remained in Netflix’s Top 10 Movies since its release on June 20. The film follows fictional K-pop superstars Rumi, Mira, and Zoey using their music and voices to protect their fans from the constant threat of demons that steal souls.
The film is currently Netflix’s second most viewed movie, garnering over 210.5 million views, according to ScreenRant. Although the movie seems child-oriented, the striking visuals, innovative premise, and relatable themes appeal to a wide audience. The film’s original soundtrack is one of its most distinctive features and is responsible for its smash hit success. Sarah Huang ’27 said the movie resonated with her because of the memorable songs.
“The best parts of the movie are the songs because they’re extremely catchy and they introduce the K-pop genre to people not familiar with this type of music,” Huang said, “The vocals are really nice to listen to, and the dances are fun to do.”
The movie’s fictional girl group HUNTR/X and the fictional demon-boy band Saja Boys have surpassed records held by mammoth K-pop groups like Blackpink and BTS. Katie Wang ’27 said she enjoys the songs in the movie since they resemble actual K-pop songs.
“I really like ‘Golden’ by HUNTR/X and ‘Your Idol’by Saja Boys because they genuinely sound like real K-pop songs,” Wang said. “They’ve got the beat and some Korean incorporated throughout each song. I feel like they follow the same general path as K-pop songs, too. There’s usually some type of verse sung, the chorus, then some rap, back to the chorus, and maybe a bridge that leads back into the chorus again, which all the songs in the movie follow perfectly.”
Veronica Mnatsakanian ’26 said she loves the movie and believes it should serve as an inspiration for future animated films.
“I think Netflix will use it as a reference for future movies since the mixture of fantasy, friendship, and romance gives this movie a special relatability and enjoyment factor that entices people of all ages,” Mnatsakanian said. “I saw some similarities between ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ and ‘Turning Red,’ which both include female leads, music, and self-acceptance, so I think more films may also try to weave in these arcs.”
The film’s exceptional popularity is a watershed moment for the entertainment industry as it not only propels K-pop music to new heights but also showcases the desire for original stories that combine genres. In the case of “KPop Demon Hunters,” the novel combination of supernatural elements, such as demons and infectious music, creates a captivating blend that appeals to many people. Wang said the movie’s inventiveness surprised her, as she has rarely seen a story combining two disparate genres.
“I’ve never seen anything quite like ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ before,” Wang said, “The idea of demons and hunters is a very interesting concept, and I like how every generation has its own trio of singers who must slay the demons with their song. I also appreciate the creativity behind the lore, like the idea of demons becoming K-pop idols to preserve themselves, and also the idea that the previous humans’ shame from betrayal turns them into demons.”
Mnatsakanian said the success of the movie can be attributed to the fun, K-pop-inspired elements and high-quality production.
“The K-pop-inspired elements in the film not only unite Korean culture but also help people of different backgrounds understand the culture more,” Mnatsakanian said. “I think what made the movie so popular was the animation, the lovable characters, and definitely the songs. I’ve personally watched the movie more than once and fell in love with everything about it.”
