Latest news with #HUNTRX
Forbes
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Netflix Made A Fictional K-Pop Group With Real Streaming Power
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 16: (L-R) Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans speak during the KPop Demon ... More Hunters Special Screening at Netflix Tudum Theater on June 16, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo byfor Netflix) On June 23, 2025, Netflix and Sony Animation's fictional girl group HUNTR/X from the film KPop Demon Hunters was the most streamed girl group on global Spotify, outstreaming popular real-life girl groups like TWICE and KATSEYE in the process. Just days after the film's release, HUNTR/X has managed to capitalize on the film's success seemingly overnight, with several of their songs soaring to the top of the global Spotify charts. According to Pop Base, their song 'Golden' reached the top 20 most popular songs, sitting at number 14 with a total of 2.78 million streams in a single day, and that's in addition to the seven other songs the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack had chart on the same list. While this might seem like an anomaly, Netflix has managed to deliberately leverage the popularity of its films in tandem with fandom and the popularity of K-pop as a genre in an effective media strategy. Netflix has managed to turn fictional artists into real-world successes. Using K-Pop's popularity to their benefit SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - AUGUST 01: Girl group TWICE arrives at the M2 X Genie Music Awards on August ... More 01, 2019 in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images) Kpop Demon Hunters, released on June 20, 2025, is an animated film that follows a k-pop girl group, HUNTR/X, that tour by day and fight evil demons by night. The concept on it's own is already highly engaging, and manages to bring in fans of K-pop, fans of animation, and fans of fantasy. Already, the film has a wide variety of viewers, and, through that variety, Netflix and Sony were able to capitalize on their full music rollouts. Since the songs were each featured in the film, rather than being featured in a companion compilation album, fans were already familiarized with the songs that are now charting. K-Pop as an art form, is already one of the most successful vehicles for success in the music industry. With acts like the aforementioned girl group TWICE and other groups like BLACKPINK and BTS, the genre has shown a level brand loyalty and fandom that hasn't been seen for musical acts since the 90s, with fanbases of said groups often being international, multilingual, and more than willing to promote the groups they love. KPop Demon Hunters understands this and managed to capitalize on that formula, emulating the success of real life K-pop groups. Conversations on social media only aided this campaign, with the music being top of mind and the virality of those discussions allowing people who may not have seen the film to still engage with the music. Kpop Demon Hunters has shown that HUNTR/X is more than just a part of the film's narrative; it's a legitimate girl group with actual streaming power. Netflix Has Been Here Before HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 02: Miley Cyrus attends the 97th Annual Oscars at Dolby Theatre on ... More March 02, 2025 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic) I remember dancing in the club in 2019, and the song 'On a Roll' performed by Miley Cyrus as her character Ashley O in Black Mirror began to play. It had never dawned on me until that moment that Cyrus's success as an artist, despite that particular episode explicitly showcasing how her character was trapped and being controlled by the music industry, would cause fans to ignore the themes of Black Mirror and still stream the song to success. For months, the song would be played, and people would take to the dance floor, singing it word for word. Even online, people were discussing the song's duality between authenticity and satire. The song became a real-world hit, charting at number 65 on the UK Singles Chart and number 18 in New Zealand, and even landed on Billboard's coveted best songs list for 2019. This shows that the success of Netflix's fictional acts is more than just a coincidence; it's deliberate. Keys to Success Having good music doesn't automatically equate to being a global success, but when a streaming juggernaut like Netflix is in your corner, doors open. Netflix has the fiscal means to hire top producers, writers, and singers. Often times, people can feel the difference between songs made for bands in films and songs made for bands that are successful in real life. For example, the song 'Takedown' from the film was perfomed by the real girl group TWICE, and the polish and authenticity they represent shines through. It also helps that fans are already familiar with the story that's associated with each of these songs. When fans listen to the song 'Golden,' they can relive the struggle and eventual triumph that the cast of characters went through to create and perform that single in the film. So, when fans stream that song, they aren't just listening to it because they like it; they're also listening to it to relive those moments in the film, which, in the end, might lead them to rewatch the movie, a win-win for Netflix. The Bigger Picture AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - OCTOBER 30: Vocaloid software artist Hatsune Miku performs at Afas Live on ... More October 30, 2024 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Paul Bergen/Redferns) We live in a world where fictional acts turned virtual idols, like the Gorillaz, Hatsune Miku, or the Squid Sisters from Nintendo's Splatoon, can fill arenas. With that knowledge, it makes complete sense that a streaming service like Netflix, which dabbles in multiple forms of content, capitalizes on its music, which it can root in long-form storytelling rather than short-form music videos. In the end, HUNTR/X is more than just a one-off trend. If anything, they've shown that they have the staying power, global reach, and storytelling necessary to not only push for a second film but also push for increased space and visibility for other fictional pop stars, even across genres. Netflix could be sitting on a potential goldmine by offering something different to a lane of serious competitors in an already saturated industry. If HUNTR/X proves anything, it's that people aren't just watching fictional artists in films; they're streaming them.
Geek Culture
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Culture
Sony Animation's 'K-Pop Demon Hunters' Tops Netflix Movie Chart In 41 Countries
Sony Pictures Animation has a winning formula on their hands, and it involves K-pop and demon hunting. Following its debut on 20 June, K-Pop Demon Hunters quickly topped Netflix's global charts to become one of the streamer's most-watched titles around the world — and its momentum isn't slowing down anytime soon. According to data from FlixPatrol, the newly minted fan favourite is now ranked first in 41 countries, including Southeast Asian territories such as Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and more. The Western market is no less immune to its charm, either, with the U.S., France, Switzerland, and Germany among the list of chart-toppers. Stylistically influenced by concert lighting, editorial photography, and music videos, alongside anime and Korean dramas, K-Pop Demon Hunters features striking, high-energy animation that's highly evocative of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and its 2023 sequel, as well as The Mitchells vs. the Machines, both hailing from Sony. The story follows a fictional K-pop girl group, HUNTR/X (pronounced 'Huntrix'), who lead double lives as demon hunters, and face off against a rival boy band called Saja Boys, whose members are secretly demons. While primarily in English, the pic also includes Korean dialogue and cultural nods, from folklore creatures like dokkaebi, or goblins, and the jeoseung saja, the Korean equivalent of the grim reaper, to real-world locations. Arden Cho ( Teen Wolf ) leads the voice cast as Rumi, vocalist and overall leader of HUNTR/X, joined by May Hong ( High Maintenance ) as visual and main dancer Mira, and rapper Zoey. Other notable names include Squid Game star Lee Byung-hun as antagonist Gwi-ma, actor-singer Ahn Hyo-seop ( Business Proposal ) as Jinu, leader of the Saja Boys, Daniel Dae Kim ( Hawaii Five-O ) as Healer Han, and Ken Jeong ( Crazy Rich Asians ) as Bobby, the manager and main representative of HUNTR/X. Prolific K-pop producer Teddy contributed to the soundtrack, with popular girl group Twice's Jeongyeon, Chaeyeong, and Jihyo performing the film's opening number, 'Takedown'. His effort extends to HUNTR/X's 'Golden' and Saja Boys' 'Soda Pop, while Exo's 'Love Me Right' and Twice's 'Strategy' were also used as part of the film. Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth's theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia's greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really. K-Pop Demon Hunters Netflix Sony Animation
Forbes
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Netflix's New K-Pop Movie Hits No. 1 As Its Music Surges In Popularity
KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack hits No. 1 on iTunes as the Netflix film propels multiple songs and ... More fictional group HUNTRX onto the U.S. charts. LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 16: May Hong attends the KPop Demon Hunters Special Screening at Netflix Tudum Theater on June 16, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo byfor Netflix) Getty Images for Netflix K-pop has become such a massive global phenomenon that it is fueling not just music consumption, but all forms of media and entertainment. The mere use of the phrase "K-pop" can elevate a TV series, film, or book into becoming a top performer. With such a massive fanbase of people interested in the style, it seems like there's no limit to what K-pop can do. Netflix is capitalizing on the continued popularity of the musical style with the release of its latest animated musical film KPop Demon Hunters . Just days after its debut, the title's music is already climbing the iTunes charts, as the movie has apparently made quite the impression. Released on Friday (June 20), KPop Demon Hunters centers on a fictional K-pop girl group called HUNTRX. The conceit imagines the three members of the globally beloved act as part-time demon fighters, battling evil in between sold-out concerts and hit records – and the villains just happen to also be K-pop superstars. The film currently ranks as the second biggest movie in the United States on Netflix, while the music from the full-length effort is proving to be equally as successful. The KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack surges to No. 1 on the iTunes Top Albums chart in America. The full-length is credited to HUNTRX, Saja Boys and, more generally, the cast of the movie. The album unseated American Heart by Benson Boone to claim the top spot on the iTunes ranking. Boone is on track to secure a strong debut on the Billboard rankings in the coming days, as his sophomore release quickly shot to No. 1 on the sales platform upon its release at the same time as KPop Demon Hunters , but after a few days, the two have swapped spots. Eight songs from the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack are currently charting on the iTunes Top Songs tally in the U.S. Each tune is credited to the KPop Demon Hunters cast, and some also name other performers, such as Ejea, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami, Andrew Choi, Neckwav, Danny Chung, Kevin Woo and others. 'What It Sounds Like' is the highest-ranking composition from the album at the time of writing, leaping nearly two dozen spaces to land at No. 19. Also featured within the top 40 are 'Golden,' 'Your Idol' and 'How It's Done,' which settle at Nos. 28, 32, and 35, respectively. A number of other tracks from the collection also find space on the 200-position roster, including one credited solely to members of Twice, Jeongyeon, Jihyo and Chaeyoung. Two takes of the group's previously-released 'Takedown' appear on the soundtrack, and both are currently bestsellers in America.
The Review Geek
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Review Geek
KPop Demon Hunters (2025) Ending Explained – Does Rumi fix the Honmoon?
KPop Demon Hunters Plot Summary KPop Demon Hunters is the latest animation movie from Netflix. For centuries, demons have hunted people and eaten their souls. But one day, a trio of girls protects the citizens with their songs, killing the beasts and strengthening the Honmoon, the barrier between Earth and the demonic realm. Now, it's Zoey, Mira, and Rumi's turn to fix the Honmoon for good and banish all demons. How are they going to do that? By becoming Korea's number one girl group, the HUNTR/X (Huntrix). However, as they come close to achieving their goal, Gwi-Ma, the demon king, sends a new threat their way. Jinu and his team could never hope to defeat the girls with brawn, something every demon has learned over the years. So they form an evil boy band to steal their fans and weaken the barrier. The only problem is that Jinu becomes closer to Rumi than he would expect, as he learns the girl is actually part demon as well. Now, the two find a new strength in each other but risk not getting what they've wished for so long. Do the other girls learn Rumi's secret? Demons bear marks that every hunter can see; it's one of the only ways of figuring out if they are real people or not. Since Rumi's father was a demon, she has some of the marks, which grow as the years go by. Because of that, she never could go to a bathhouse or be truly comfortable around her friends. She even has to wear a jacket at all times, or else her friends will see the demonic pattern on her arms. Despite them getting close, Jinu betrays Rumi during one of the Huntrix performances, outing her to them. As Rumi sings, all alone, other demons change their appearances to match Mira and Zoey's. They quickly start bumping into the girl and badmouthing her in the middle of the stage. Ultimately, they take her jacket off, which makes her freak out and use her demonic voice, shattering all the lights in the studio. When she escapes to the backstage area, the real Mira and Zoey find her and see her marks. She tries to explain things to them, but it's already too late. The girls point their weapons at her, and Rumi's only option is to run away. Although they cry doing that, it's Mira and Zoey's duty to defeat all demons, so they see no other choice. Still, they let Rumi escape. Do Jinu and Rumi end up together? Throughout the movie, Jinu and Rumi learn more about each other and become closer. The girl even thinks of a plan in which the demon can stay with her on Earth even after she restores the Honmoon. However, Gwi-Ma can see what's happening and uses the boy's past regrets to control him. With that, Jinu feels forced to betray Rumi and out her secret to her friends. She tries to ask for his help after that, only to learn he was the one who set her up. During the final battle against Gwi-Ma, Rumi has to defend against one of the demon's attacks all by herself. At that moment, Jinu steps up and takes her place as a sacrifice. He saves her and tells the girl how much she helped him, but he unfortunately dies, redeeming himself. In the end, she makes up with her friends but loses the first love of her life. Does Rumi fix the Honmoon? Yes and no. Rumi realizes her demonic marks are an important part of her, and she shouldn't be trying to hide them from her friends. So, if the barrier she has been trying to create will make them go away, that's probably not the right answer. Together, she and the other girls work to destroy the current Honmoon and create a new and better one. After the barrier gets fragile, Gwi-Ma rises to the surface, ready to steal the souls of hundreds of humans. However, Rumi, Zoey, and Mira use their newest song, one about acknowledging who they really are, to power up. With this strength, they manage to defeat Gwi-Ma and the boy band, creating a Honmoon that respects the uniqueness of every individual. Thanks to that, even after its creation, Rumi still has her demonic marks. But now she doesn't feel she has to hide them from her friends. Read More: KPop Demon Hunters Review
