Kdrama & Chill: Demon Hunters: The Netflix Animated Musical YDK You Needed

Cosmopolitan ME

6 days ago

My friend Kareena, relentlessly pestered me about this new Netflix original, KPop Demon Hunters. At first, I was really hesitant. As someone who's obsessed with Korean dramas, I've developed a bit of a prejudice against anything that's a Western take on K-Pop or Korean storytelling. I was worried it wouldn't have the same authenticity, the same vibe that makes K-Dramas so addictive. Plus, it's an American animated musical fantasy film that sounded, honestly, a bit out there.
But Kareena was persistent, and then I started seeing the song Golden everywhere on TikTok, Instagram, and even in clips of famous Korean singers trying to hit those insane high notes. The song immediately caught my attention. Koreans are incredible with their original soundtracks and a killer song can make or break a drama. So, my curiosity won over my skepticism. I sat down to watch it.
The story and the world of Huntr/x
KPop Demon Hunters centres on Huntr/x, a K-Pop girl group with a secret: they're actually Demon Hunters. Rumi, Mira, and Zoey lead these double lives under the guidance of Celine, a former hunter who raised Rumi. Their mission? To maintain and strengthen the magical barrier called Honmoon, created centuries ago by three legendary women to seal demons away from the human world. This barrier is powered by their singing, passed down from generation to generation, with the ultimate goal to form the Golden Honmoon, a final seal to banish demons forever.
But, it's not just Huntr/x fighting the supernatural. The rival boy band, the Saja Boys, are secretly demons themselves, making the battle as much about music, dance, and pop culture as it is about good versus evil. The premise is fascinating, and it blends K-Pop culture with fantasy lore in a way I hadn't seen before. It's a musical, an action-packed drama, and a pop culture commentary all rolled into one.
What worked and what felt a bit rushed
Overall, I'd give the series an A. The animation is vibrant and slick, and the choreography of the performances is spot-on. The music, honestly, was the highlight. Golden alone is worth the watch, a powerful anthem with soaring vocals and catchy beats that stuck with me long after I finished the show.
One of my favourite moments in Golden is Mira's line: 'Called a problem child 'cause I got too wild, but now that's how I'm getting paid.' It's such a sick line, rebellious yet empowering, and it perfectly captures the fierce energy of the whole series. I found myself hitting rewind just to soak it in again.
That said, the storyline felt a little rushed in places. The pacing was quick, especially around the world tour and Rumi losing her voice. It felt like the plot jumped from one major event to another without giving enough breathing room for character development or emotional weight. But, maybe that's the trade-off when you try to pack a whole saga into a limited runtime.
Another interesting note, the speaking voices and the singing voices were done by different people. While the singing was amazing, sometimes the mismatch between the character's speaking voice and singing voice felt a bit off-putting. It wasn't a dealbreaker for me, but definitely noticeable if you pay attention.
EXO vibes and K-Pop easter eggs
As a massive EXO fan, the Saja Boys instantly gave me strong EXO vibes. From their style and dance moves to their vocals, it felt like a respectful nod to one of the biggest K-pop boy bands out there. You can tell the creators really know their K-Pop, and the influences are clear, not just EXO, but other iconic groups too.
Supplied: Netflix, Saja Boys
If you love EXO or K-pop in general, you'll appreciate the details, from the slick choreography to the stylised performances. Honestly, that was the part that sold me. Put EXO energy on something, and I'm hooked.
Supplied: SM Entertainment, EXO
My Top Three Songs
Golden – The powerhouse anthem that sets the tone for the entire show. Your Idol – Performed by the Saja Boys, this track is catchy, polished, and full of that boy-band charm. Take Down – A high-energy song that blends pop beats with the story's intense moments.
All the tracks have that unmistakable K-Pop polish, making the soundtrack a treat on its own.
So, should you watch it?
If you're a K-Drama purist, KPop Demon Hunters might feel a little different, more Americanized in style and tone. But if you're open to a fresh take on K-Pop culture wrapped in a fantasy narrative, this animated musical is a fun, vibrant watch. The music alone makes it worth your time.
Plus, it's cool to see K-Pop culture crossing borders and inspiring new stories, even if they come from unexpected places. I'm glad I gave it a chance, and thanks, Kareena, for not letting me miss out.
So, if you want something a little different but still packed with catchy tunes, sharp choreography, and a bit of supernatural drama, KPop Demon Hunters might just be your next binge.
8/10.
K-drama & chill
Name: KPop Demon Hunters
Where to watch: Netflix
Directed by: Maggie Kang & Chris Appelhans
Release Date: June 20, 2025
Check out more K-Drama recs here.