Two months after its Netflix release, “Kpop Demon Hunters” is the platform’s second most-watched movie of all time, with about 184.6 million views globally, according to Screen Rant. As soon as I viewed the first few minutes of the movie, beginning with the song, “How It’s Done,” I was immediately hooked. The energetic art style and animation, as well as the catchy soundtrack and compelling narrative, made this movie a hit since its release on June 20. The film is set for screening in theaters for a sing-along Aug. 23-24.
“KPop Demon Hunters” features three Korean pop stars, Rumi, Zoey and Mira, who fight to prevent demons from stealing people’s souls while topping charts through their hit singles as a group, Huntr/x. As they gain more support from their fans, the “Honmoon” — the magical barrier that keeps the demons away from the human realm — strengthens. However, their efforts are thwarted by an evil K-pop group from the demon realm: the Saja Boys. Having been sent to the human realm by the demon lord Gwi-Ma, the Saja Boys’ goal is to weaken the Honmoon by stealing Huntr/x’s fanbase.
Co-director Maggie Kang, who grew up in Seoul, Korea, hoped to display elements of her homeland in the movie to give it a distinct voice. As a result, bits and pieces of Korean mythology, including demonology, were masterfully combined with a more modernized setting and became a crucial part of the film. In addition, more modern elements of Korean culture, such as K-pop, and even common tropes in Korean dramas, have also been tied in, creating a narrative that appeals to those who grew up with Korean culture or are fans of Korean media. The movie even takes care to include small details throughout, paying homage to historical Korean tiger paintings and even referencing how K-pop has evolved across several generations.
A main highlight of “KPop Demon Hunters” is the stunning artwork crafted by the artists of Sony Pictures Animation. The character designs for the protagonists are incredible; the attention to detail for their facial features and hairstyles gives each a unique look. Furthermore, the smooth and lively 3D animation style complemented the characters and settings perfectly, reflecting the mood of each scene while showing the personality of each character through body language. Emphasis is also placed on fashion throughout the film, with Rumi, Zoey and Mira often being shown in elaborate costumes while performing as Huntr/x to give each member both a sense of unity and individuality.
The music in the movie elevates it to a different level, with each track having its own unique voice. “How It’s Done” gives the film a catchy beginning, demonstrating the clear-cut style of Huntr/x while effectively introducing each of their roles in the musical group. In addition, the song displays their alter egos as demon hunters, playing during a combat scene between Huntr/x and several demons. Meanwhile, “Golden” is a poignant tribute from Huntr/x, showing valuable insight into each of the members and providing important backstory about Rumi’s insecurities. On the other hand, “Soda Pop” reflects the Saja Boys’ goal of mass appeal, the song itself being uplifting and catchy but intentionally lacking soul or passion from its creators. Following that track, “Takedown” — written and produced by K-pop group Twice — is Huntr/x’s rebuttal towards the Saja Boys’ growing success, another track that sufficiently drives the narrative, and also maintains Huntr/x’s signature style. Unfortunately, “Free” is the weakest track on the film, its only purpose being to shed light onto Rumi’s and Saja Boy member Jinu’s implied romance. As a result of the lack of development between the two, the song comes off as unearned and oversentimental compared to superior tracks. In contrast, “Your Idol” proves itself to be a step up from the previous song, with sinister but harmonious vocals as well as a memorable beat. “What It Sounds Like” ends the film with an emotional note, with soaring vocals and an honest expression of Rumi, Mira and Zoey’s feelings after the challenges they faced throughout the duration of the movie.
Overall, “KPop Demon Hunters” has proven itself to be an exhilarating experience, since it’s effective as a love letter to Korean culture, and showcases positive themes of being true to oneself. The film’s many strong elements make it worth a watch for a variety of audiences, kids and adults alike.
