Baek Byung-yeul is a journalist at The Korea Times focused on cultural content, including films and cultural events in South Korea. You can contact him at baekby@koreatimes.co.kr to share your insights.
‘KPop Demon Hunters’ takes world by storm, combining K-pop energy with Korean heritage
A scene from Netflix’s new animation “KPop Demon Hunters” / Courtesy of Netflix
By Baek Byung-yeul
“KPop Demon Hunters,” a new animated film produced by Sony Pictures Animation and distributed by Netflix, is dominating global charts, captivating audiences with its genre-defying mix of high-energy K-pop, Korean mythology and dazzling visuals.
Released worldwide on Friday, the 99-minute movie quickly soared to the No. 1 spot in the Netflix global film category within just three days, signaling a new milestone for Korea-related creative content.
Directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, the story centers on Rumi, Mira and Zoey, members of the fictional K-pop girl group Huntrix, who live double lives as demon hunters. By day, they fill stadiums with electrifying performances, but by night they protect the world from supernatural threats. Their mission takes an unexpected turn when a new boy band, Saja Boys, appears and is later revealed to be a group of powerful demons.
From left, Mira, Rumi and Zoey, members of the fictional K-pop girl group Huntrix, eat instant noodles in a scene from Netflix’s animated feature “KPop Demon Hunters.” Captured from Netflix’s YouTube channel
A-list cast
The film’s star-studded voice cast has contributed to its widespread appeal. Actor Ahn Hyo-seop, known for his roles in Netflix’s “A Time Called You” (2023) and dramas like “Dr. Romantic 2” (2020) and “Business Proposal” (2022), makes his English voice acting debut as Jinu, the enigmatic leader of the Saja Boys.
“Squid Game” star Lee Byung-hun showcases his versatility by taking on the formidable villain Gwi-Ma.
Huntrix members are voiced by Arden Cho, May Hong and Ji-young Yoo, all Korean American actors who bring depth and humor to their roles.
In addition, TWICE members Jeongyeon, Jihyo and Chaeyoung lend their voices to the Huntrix song "Takedown" in the original soundtrack, adding a touch of authenticity for global K-pop fans.
Korean culture in every frame
What truly sets “KPop Demon Hunters” apart is its unapologetically Korean aesthetic, seamlessly woven into the narrative and visuals.
The film features iconic Seoul landmarks such as N Seoul Tower on Mount Nam, Bukchon Hanok Village, Naksan Park and sweeping cityscapes, immersing viewers in the heart of Korea.
Celine Dahyeu Kim, the film’s art director, reflected on her approach to the film’s concept and her vision of Seoul in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
“Huntrix looking out over Seoul from N Seoul Tower! This was the very first piece I worked on when I began art directing,” Kim wrote. “From the start, I asked myself the fundamental question of how to depict Seoul.”
Scenes showing beloved Korean dishes like gimbap (seaweed rice rolls), ramyeon (instant noodles) and gukbap (rice in soup) invite international audiences to appreciate the flavors of everyday Korean life.
One especially detailed moment shows the Huntrix members eating gukbap with their chopsticks neatly placed on a napkin — a familiar habit among Koreans at restaurants.
Even in the English dub, Korean phrases such as “gaja,” meaning “let’s go,” are used, as well as in the lyrics of Huntrix and Saja Boys' songs.
Members of Saja Boys, a fictional K-pop boy group, appear in costumes inspired by jeoseung saja, the Korean version of the grim reaper, in a scene from Netflix’s “KPop Demon Hunters.” Captured from Netflix’s YouTube channel
Tradition abundant
Traditional Korean art and folklore are also central to the film’s identity.
Each Huntrix member wields a weapon inspired by traditional Korean objects: Rumi’s blade references a "saingeom" (four tiger evil-slaying sword), Mira uses the "gokdo" (curved moon sword) and Zoey's twin blades are based on "sinkal," a spiritual weapon used by shamans.
Traditional motifs continue in various aspects of the film’s visual design. In the final Idol Awards, Huntrix's stage prominently features motifs from a traditional Korean folding screen depicting the sun, moon and five mountain peaks. Historically, this artwork was placed behind the royal throne during the 1392-1910 Joseon Dynasty, symbolizing the king’s authority and the harmony of the universe. Its inclusion in the film serves as a visual homage to Korea’s royal heritage.
The film also takes visual cues from traditional Korean folk paintings depicting tigers and magpies as symbols of power, wit and good fortune. These iconic creatures come to life as charming, scene-stealing characters who act as messengers between Rumi and Jinu.
The styling of both Huntrix and Saja Boys also bridges the past and the present of Korea. Huntrix members wear "norigae" pendants integrated into modern K-pop fashion, while Saja Boys perform in black hanbok and traditional horsehair hats for their song "Your Idol," evoking the image of the jeoseung saja, the Korean equivalent of the grim reaper.
Global success
Critics and audiences alike have praised “KPop Demon Hunters” for its dynamic animation, engaging soundtrack and inventive fusion of K-pop with traditional Korean spirituality and folklore. The film currently holds a 94 percent positive critics score and a 95 percent audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
The New York Times praised the film for creating “an original universe that is charming, funny and artfully punchy,” noting that “the movie is funniest when it pokes at pop culture that is highly manufactured, from K-pop to K-dramas to mass-produced singing competitions — the very things the film itself would never stoop to.”
According to streaming analytics site FlixPatrol, the animated feature recorded a viewing score of 771 as of Sunday, outpacing the second-place film, “Straw,” which scored 609.
The film’s popularity is also reflected in its chart-topping performance across 26 countries, including Korea, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, India, Mexico and Hong Kong. It has also secured a place in the Top 10 in 93 countries.