KPop Demon Hunters: Celebrating Korean Culture

Among the dozens of animated movies that premiered in the past year, KPop Demon Hunters (2025) stands out—making another splash in the Hallyu wave (the Korean wave of influence). Released this June as a Netflix Original, the film seemed to come out of nowhere due to minimal promotion. Initial reception to teasers was often negative, whether because of the film’s cringeworthy title or tired animation style. However, the tide completely turned when the movie was finally released, gaining praise from K-pop fans and locals alike. Many were pleasantly surprised by the movie’s catchy songs, attractive characters, and feel-good storyline. Although it tends to rely on clichés, KPop Demon Hunters ultimately achieved its aim to unite people through music by being unapologetically Korean, shamelessly incorporating and celebrating the culture throughout.

The movie opens with a dazzling stadium filled with fans cheering for the fictional Korean girl group HUNTR/X, immediately immersing the audience in the world of K-pop. From the lightsticks to the frenzy of dedicated fans, the details feel authentic and, at times, humorous in their satire of fandom culture. The trio—Rumi (Arden Cho/EJAE), Mira (May Hong/Audrey Nuna), and Zoey (Ji-young Yoo/Rei Ami)—is introduced by Celine (Yunjin Kim/Lea Salonga), a motherly figure who guided the band to become who they are today: pop stars and demon hunters. Rumi, the group’s leader both on stage and in battle, faces internal and external conflicts that eventually converge in her rivalry with Jinu (Ahn Hyo-Seop/Andrew Choi), the primary antagonist who creates his own demon boy band, the Saja Boys. Romance and action mingle as humorous competition unfolds between the two popular bands—Rumi and Jinu are romantically paired despite their rivalry. By the end of the film, the two bands find themselves united against a common enemy: Gwi-ma, a fire-like entity that rules over the demon underworld while using Jinu to fulfill his desire for human souls.

On the surface, KPop Demon Hunters may appear light-hearted with its bright colors, bubblegum pop songs, and fun character designs. However, its themes run far deeper. The movie’s widespread appeal comes from its balance of kid-friendly narratives with darker interpretations that older audiences can appreciate. For example, Rumi’s internal conflicts involve her scars, a shameful mark of her identity as a half-demon. Her story resonates with viewers who have struggled with mental health or conflicts with identity. In the end, Rumi is able to accept her scars and recognize their value after confronting Celine, who encouraged her to hide herself. These messages about trust, identity, and shame elevate KPop Demon Hunters beyond just a kid’s movie.

Another impressive aspect of the film is its soundtrack, with some fans even claiming that the film’s music outshines that of current K-pop groups. “How It’s Done” and “Takedown” are rap-heavy battle anthems that drive home the theme of female power as they defeat demons effortlessly. While exciting, they are arguably the weakest songs sonically and lyrically due to their lack of connection to the movie’s core messages. Instead, tracks like “Golden,” “Free,” and “Your Idol” have rightfully become fan-favorites. Each song feels fresh and complementary to the plot while retaining some of that signature K-pop sound. “Golden” has even been compared to other songs like “I AM” by IVE for its earth-shattering high notes and pulsing electronic beat. “Your Idol,” on the other hand, is ominous and rumbling, utilizing a distinctly eerie choir chant as the demons take over the human world. The film ends on a strong note with “What It Sounds Like,” an empowering and emotional victory song, featuring lyrics like “But now I’m seeing all the beauty in the broken glass / The scars are part of me, darkness and harmony / My voice without the lies, this is what it sounds like.” The soundtrack has dominated domestic music charts and received global interest, with “Golden” even being nominated for an Academy Award.

Above all, KPop Demon Hunters is exactly what director Maggie Kang wanted: “a movie that celebrated Korean culture.” Every aspect—from the character design and song-writing to the world-building—seems to reflect Korean culture in one way or another. Throughout the film, characters naturally sprinkle Korean between English into their dialogue while distinct cultural references appear in nearly every frame. For instance, the famous OST “Love, Maybe” from rom-com Business Proposal (2022) plays in the background when Rumi and Jinu make their first clumsy encounter, signaling the start of a hilarious enemies-to-lovers subplot. Additionally, the movie is based on traditional Korean mythology, specifically demonology, with the Saja Boys borrowing from the “jeoseung sajas,” or Korean grim reapers. Apart from these more obvious cultural nods, the directors, Kang and Chris Appelhans, maintain the authenticity of the film by employing an entirely Korean cast, along with having “Korean voices in every department.” The evidently talented singers for the soundtrack (EJAE, Rei Ami, and Audrey Nuna) are also established artists in the West and Korea, completing the perfect picture. 

Among the film’s strengths, there are inevitably some flaws—especially with character development and runtime. The movie only spans around an hour and 30 minutes, which is barely enough time to flesh out a complex plot with interesting characters. The directors likely did not anticipate the popularity of KPop Demon Hunters, sacrificing further character development for conciseness. Due to this shortcoming, there is a lack of background information for the main characters. Instead, the movie leans on common tropes, such as the enemies-to-lovers romance and Zoey’s overly bubbly and optimistic attitude. Additionally, due to the film’s brevity, pacing suffers at times. For example, Rumi’s determination to build a new honmoon—a protective barrier between the demon and human world—right after her intense confrontation comes off as abrupt during the final battle scene. Overall, the film leaves the viewers with unnecessary questions, which could be resolved with a well-executed sequel.

Altogether, KPop Demon Hunters is entertaining, culturally rich, and more meaningful than its sugary exterior suggests. Looking past its somewhat lack of originality, the movie is still unique in its own respect, incorporating Korean culture and Western elements into a short yet impactful film. In a market saturated with unoriginal remakes and animated pictures, KPop Demon Hunters’s success can be credited to its boldness and creative approach, appealing to global audiences while centering around K-pop. The movie’s ability to tread through the harsh internet and victoriously rise above the Hallyu wave proves the power of art when made with sincerity.