“KPop Demon Hunters” Blends Animation, Beats, and Empowerment

(L-R) Zoey (Ji-young Yoo), Rumi (Arden Cho) and Mira (May Hong). (Photo credit: Netflix)

Directed by:

Chris Appelhans, Maggie Kang

Written by:

Danya Jimenez, Hannah McMechan, Maggie Kang

Starring:

Arden Cho, Ahn Hyo-seop, May Hong, Lee Byung-hun, Ken Jeong, Ji-young Yoo, SungWon Cho, Joel Kim Booster, Yunjin Kim, Daniel Dae Kim, Liza Koshy

Synopsis (Netflix):

When they aren’t selling out stadiums, Kpop superstars Rumi, Mira and Zoey use their secret identities as badass demon hunters to protect their fans from an ever-present supernatural threat. Together, they must face their biggest enemy yet – an irresistible rival boy band of demons in disguise.

Monique’s review:

I really loved watching KPop Demon Hunters. For me, it hit all of the boxes I hoped it would–cool animation, amazing songs, and an empowering message. And, it all happens to be within a fun story about K-pop stars who must battle a rival K-pop group who just so happen to be demons who want their fans’ souls.

Years ago, I don’t think I would have thought that Pixar would start feeling like a number 2 or even number 3 animation company, but that’s the case when I compare Pixar to Sony Pictures Animation. Between this film and its Into the Spider-Verse franchise, Sony Pictures Animation is really pushing the boundaries of what 3D animation can do. KPop Demon Hunters deftly combines 2D sensibilities, particularly anime sensibilities, into 3D animation, making the film and its characters feel more lively, engaging, and fun.

Also fun are the songs, which can quickly get stuck in your head just like the hottest K-pop song from a real K-pop group. Or maybe Huntrix and the Saja Boys, the two groups going head-to-head in this film, are real pop groups now; both groups’ songs have hit the Billboard and Spotify charts, with the Saja Boys beating out BTS in the number one spot on the U.S. charts. Between Huntrix’s “How It’s Done” and “Golden” and Saja Boys’ “Soda Pop” and “Your Idol,” these groups are gaining fans in real life as fast as they did within the movie’s storyline. The popularity of the songs can be attributed to K-pop songwriter Teddy Park and the singing cast, including real-life former K-pop boy bander Kevin Woo and South Korean and American stars Neckwav, SamUIL Lee, EJAE, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami and others.

Amid the glamor and flashiness is a deeply emotional message about loving yourself because of your differences, not in spite of them. The emotional depth slowly ramps up throughout the film with a heartfelt climax at the end, proving that a fun film about K-pop stars can also have a healing message for many of us who are still trying to come to terms with the things that make us less than perfect.

There are some big questions that I hope are answered in the expected sequel (with it being so popular, who can Netflix not commission a sequel?), but at the risk of not spoiling, I won’t divulge what I think are possible plot holes, or at the very least, world and character-building gaps. But overall, KPop Demon Hunters is a fun, splashy film that will pique imaginations while instilling some self-love lessons.

Here’s my video review of KPop Demon Hunters! Please like, share, comment and subscribe to my YouTube channel!