Why ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ is the pop-culture event of the summer

15 Jul 2025, 10:00 by Nicole Pasia · The Seattle Times

Commentary

“Renaissance.” “Barbie.” “Brat.” Every summer, a pop-culture phenomenon seems to take over social media or claim a spot on your next Spotify Wrapped. This summer is no different thanks to “KPop Demon Hunters,” an animated Netflix movie that follows Rumi, Mira and Zoey — K-pop superstars by day, fierce demon hunters by night.

K-pop has been making waves around the world for decades, from when Seo Taiji and Boys kick-started the genre in the 1990s to the more recent global success of groups like BTS, BLACKPINK and TWICE. But layering the vibrant world of K-pop stars with a fantasy demon-hunting story? It’s a fresh take capturing the attention of stans and non-fans alike.

“KPop Demon Hunters,” which premiered on June 20, was the most-watched film on Netflix in 22 countries — including the U.S. and South Korea — just one day after release. More recently, the movie’s soundtrack rose to the No. 3 spot on the Billboard 200 chart during the week of July 12. Features staff reporter Angela Lim, who was first introduced to K-pop in the late 2000s through viral songs from the likes of 2NE1 and Girls’ Generation, and Features engagement reporter Nicole Pasia, a seasoned fan of many K-pop groups since early 2020, watched the film and share what makes it “golden” in their books.

First impressions

Nicole: When I first heard about “KPop Demon Hunters,” I was skeptical. Was it possible to fit a high-fantasy storyline into the world of K-pop while passing the authenticity litmus test for fans? I was half-expecting a low-budget film with sporadic references to BTS and rabid fan culture. Instead, I was met with vibrant characters, breathtaking animations and a soundtrack fit for a K-pop awards show.

Angela: I also had my reservations, but those quickly dissipated once I discovered the care and precision put into this film. Its world feels intentional and especially familiar to K-pop fans. When I watched the trailer in May, I was pleasantly surprised to see TWICE members Jihyo, Jeongyeon and Chaeyoung tease their version of “Takedown,” one of the original songs produced for the film. Several more key names in the Korean music industry — dance crew Jam Republic, producer Teddy Park (BLACKPINK, BigBang, 2NE1), songwriter EJAE (Red Velvet, TWICE, aespa; she also sings as Rumi) — created the choreography and soundtrack. The film’s main characters were also based on various K-pop girl groups, boy groups, actors and models.

Nicole: Hearing that director Maggie Kang drew on her Korean roots and die-hard love for K-pop and worked on the project for nine years, one can see the parallels between her journey and those of real K-pop trainees who sometimes spend years preparing for their debut. Colorful animations and detailed action sequences frame the story’s lore: Demon-hunting warriors called Hunters used their voices to seal demons away behind a magical barrier and prevent them from feeding human souls to their leader, Gwi-Ma. Generations of Hunters perform as K-pop groups to reinforce the barrier, called the Honmoon, leading up to present-day Hunters, known to the world as the global superstar group Huntr/x (pronounced “Huntrix”). Together, the trio faces its biggest threat yet — the Saja Boys, an infectious K-pop boy group that are demons in disguise.

Angela: And the Saja Boys’ name is fitting. Nods to Korean folk tales and culture were woven into the film. “Saja” means “lion,” but it can also refer to the “jeoseung saja,” which closely resembles the grim reaper. The five members also wear a black hanbok — a traditional garment — and gat, or a wide-brimmed hat widely worn by men during the Joseon period.

The must-hear soundtrack

Angela: The soundtrack exudes elements of mainstream K-pop music: a combination of English and Korean lines and diverse genres from bubblegum pop to ballads, EDM and trap. Singing is Huntr/x’s superpower and how the Saja Boys steal their fans. The seven original songs also teeter between catchy, cheesy musings (“Soda Pop”) and introspective moments of acceptance (“What It Sounds Like”).

Nicole: It’s hard to believe they fit in such a diverse soundtrack in just 95 minutes. Each song perfectly anchored the plot, from the powerful girl-punk anthem “How It’s Done” serving as an epic introduction to the Hunters’ double lives, to the emotional ballad “Free” reflecting Rumi and Jinu’s (the demon leader of the Saja Boys) most vulnerable moments as they battle with feelings of guilt and fear.

Angela: The film’s most-streamed track, “Golden,” topped Spotify’s Daily Top Songs Global Chart on July 10 (“Your Idol” by the Saja Boys trailed at No. 2 on the U.S. chart. Life indeed imitates art). The empowering pop anthem with piercing high notes succinctly narrates the Huntr/x members’ journeys. In three minutes, viewers can glean that Mira felt like the black sheep or “problem child” of her family; that Zoey struggled to “play both sides” and feel comfortable in her Korean American identity; and that Rumi, a half-demon, just wants to stop hiding and live like she’s “born to be.” It’s their victory lap toward creating the “Golden Honmoon,” envisioning a world shielded from demons.

A peek into the K-pop world

Nicole: For me, the authentic worldbuilding helped me focus on the film’s storyline: a heartwarming account about friendship and self-acceptance, suffused with plenty of humor. When Jinu discovers Rumi’s secret identity, we all enjoyed their banter while secretly rooting for romantic sparks to fly. Their relationship is perfectly punctuated with inside references to K-pop culture: Love ballad “사랑인가 봐 (Love, Maybe)” plays during Rumi and Jinu’s first meeting in a perfect recreation of the scene from popular K-drama “Business Proposal” (in which Jinu’s voice actor, Ahn Hyo-seop, plays the male lead).

Angela: I loved “Business Proposal” and have been waiting for another drama from Ahn — but his voice acting debut will suffice for now (he recently posted a cover of “Free” on Instagram, reminding fans of his old K-pop trainee days). I appreciate that “KPop Demon Hunters” gives viewers a peek into idols’ busy day-to-day promotion schedules — all while humanizing its artists. Huntr/x members, for example, write their own lyrics, have creative control and aren’t afraid to show emotion through exaggerated, comical facial expressions.

A global hit that leaves fans wanting more

Nicole: Fan theories and speculations about a sequel have stormed social media. At the end of the day, “KPop Demon Hunters” lives up to the hype, but goes beyond that — it’s a love letter to fans and a message to accept and celebrate our true selves, as imperfect as they may be.

Angela: Non-K-pop fans shouldn’t worry about learning vocabulary or even listening to K-pop before watching “KPop Demon Hunters.” The film is dubbed in more than 30 languages, with the songs rewritten, sung and localized. Like the K-pop sound that has gone global with groups selling out arenas and stadiums, so has this film. “KPop Demon Hunters” would thrive as a worldwide theatrical release.