When I first saw the trailer for ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ floating around on Instagram, I figured it was just another flashy, kid-friendly musical, something bright, meme-y, and probably too bubblegum for my taste. So when I noticed the Netflix 7+ rating, I skipped it. Not gonna lie, I assumed it wasn’t for me.
But curiosity won. And honestly? I’m glad it did.
‘KPop Demon Hunters’ – literally
Directed by Maggie Kang (The LEGO Ninjago Movie) and Chris Appelhans (Wish Dragon), and produced by Sony Pictures Animation, KPop Demon Hunters follows the girl group HUNTR/X (‘Huntrix’) – global superstars by day, demon-slayers by night. As straightforward as it gets, they fight demons.
Sounds wild, right? But somewhere between the absurd fight sequences, hilariously over-the-top expressions, and that food-munching scene on the airplane, I found myself hooked.
The Plot :
HUNTR/X – K-pop idols group is made up of Rumi, Mira, and Zoey. They’re the latest reincarnation of a legendary trio of warriors, destined to protect the world from a centuries-old evil: the demon king Gwi-Ma.
Their mission? Guard a mystical barrier called the Honmoon, which keeps the demon realm sealed away from the human world.
When the Honmoon seal begins to weaken, the trio must rise once again… except this time, the demons are disguised as a rival K-pop boy group: the Saja Boys. Yep – literal pop culture warfare.
What Makes It Different :
This isn’t just K-pop fan service; it subtly critiques the pressures of stardom and fans’ expectations. Being in the spotlight, flawless perfection, and still being “relatable” to the audience & fans. There exists this delicate balance. It’s not heavy-handed, but those themes simmer under the glam.
The movie isn’t afraid to poke fun at the industry it’s portraying. It’s like watching a parody that secretly loves the thing it’s parodying so, in a way, it doesn’t feel mean-spirited.
There’s a surprising emotional texture here, too, especially around generational expectations. Not deep, but it’s present, that sneaks up on you by the time the final chorus hits. Rumi feels like that odd one out in a system that insists there’s only one right way. It quietly asks: Why not let the next generation be different and still do great things?
And yes, the film’s also meme-worthy. It knows!
Characters That Stand Out
Rumi -The leader of Huntrex, she’s got the stage presence of a star but carries a quiet vulnerability off-stage.
Jino – A quiet, steady presence with that classic brooding charm. His role brings a surprising amount of emotional weight, though his ending may leave some viewers wanting more.
The Huntrex Girls – Mira and Zoey – the fantastic duo of relatable girls’ energy, balancing the squad with heart.
Bobby – HUNTR/X’s agent, manager, and friends (or whatever he wants)
Derpy and Sussie: Both characters are inspired by Korean folklore & paintings. Derpy, the tiger, has a habit of fixing fallen objects, and Sussie, the magpie with six eyes, has a fondness for hats!
Community Reactions :
From Reddit & MAL:
“Didn’t expect much, but this was hilarious and weirdly deep.” [Exactly]
“It’s giving K-pop, it’s giving anime, it’s giving… demon exorcisms. I’m here for it.”
“This is the Scott Pilgrim vs. the World of animated K-pop.”
“Lowkey feel seen as a fan. The obsession, the pressure – they really didn’t sugarcoat it.”
Fans on AniList and Kitsu also praise its balance of visual and emotional honesty. While some were disappointed by the PG-rated narrative (wanting a bit more grit), others appreciated the layered messaging hidden beneath all the glam.
Why You’ll Love It :
Animation : Sony Animation
Music & Dance : For a film with “K-pop” in the title, it must serve on that track. Thankfully, it delivers. The music is catchy and goes surprisingly well with action scenes. Well-choreographed dance moves and the vocals don’t feel like filler. If anything, it raises the bar for animated musical fights. (You’re my ‘Soda Pop’!)
Netflix DNA : It’s got that familiar Netflix animation vibe. [ and yes, I’m kinda biased toward that aesthetic!].
What Holds It Back?
Nothing as it somehow managed to pull it of but still, some minor issues :
The plot isn’t groundbreaking: The plot is predictable and a little repetitive, but its execution saves it.
Under-utilised : It had the potential to go beyond PG rating, let’s wait for more updates [Hoping!]
Jino and Rumi needed more screen time and also a better ending. [Personally heartbreaking ]
Saja Boys : They deserved more. They were fun. Why eliminate them so fast?
The Final Rating: 4.8/5 – Anyone needing a 90-minute mood booster!
Don’t dismiss it as some kids’ flick; it has something for everyone. The music is amazing, and the comedy scenes somehow dilute the heavy, subtle commentary on idol culture. This is the story of how a movie I almost dismissed became my favourite surprise of the year and why you might want to give those demon-hunting idols a chance after all.
Recommended if you like :
- Animation that elevates the concert experiences.
- The satire bites and meme & funny GIF worthy content.
- Amazing, catchy songs / musical
- Saja Boys [They’re goddamn miracle, must say!]
Skip if :
- You aren’t into musicals.
- Looking for some serious deep plot
- You dislike stomach-hurting humour.
Staff & Studio Notes*
- Produced by: Sony Pictures Animation
- Animation work: Sony Pictures Imageworks (Vancouver/Montreal)
- Directed by: Maggie Kang & Chris Appelhans
- Producer: Michelle Wong
- Script : By Danya Jimenez, Hannah McMechan, Kang, and Appelhans.
- Rated: 7+
- Band: HUNTR/X & Saja Boys
- Genres: Comedy, Music, Action, Fantasy
- Runtime: 1 hr 36 min
- Music : The OST info -> Kpop Demon Hunters Soundtrack
HUNTR/X (Girl Group)
- Rumi – Arden Cho / Singing: EJAE
- Mira – May Hong / Singing: Audrey Nuna
- Zoey – Ji‑young Yoo / Singing: Rei Ami
SAJA BOYS (Demons/Boy Group)
- Jinu – Ahn Hyo‑seop / Singing: Andrew Choi
- Romance Saja – Joel Kim Booster / Singing: SamUIL Lee
- Mystery Saja – Alan Lee / Singing: Kevin Woo
- Abs Saja – SungWon Cho / Singing: Neckwav
- Baby Saja – Danny Chung / Danny Chung
Supporting Characters
- Celine (Huntrex’s mentor) – Yunjin Kim / Singing: Lea Salonga
- Bobby – Ken Jeong
- Healer Han – Daniel Dae Kim
- Gwi‑Ma (Demon King) – Lee Byung‑hun
Streaming on: Netflix
*All information presented in this section of the article has been compiled from publicly available sources and official materials to the best of my ability. However, some details may be incomplete or subject to change. If you notice any inaccuracies or have verified updates, feel free to share them. Your input is always welcome.
Over to You!
- Which real K-pop group would survive demon hunting best?
- Should Netflix greenlight a sequel?
Drop your thoughts below in the comments! 🚀 SYA!
Animexon 