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BBC News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
KPop Demon Hunters: How the Netflix film became a global sensation
Since its release in June, KPop Demon Hunters has topped global Netflix charts and dominated global music charts – what's the secret to its extraordinary success? Whether you're a devoted K-pop fan or not, you may have heard of this new global sensation. The animated film KPop Demon Hunters has quickly become a worldwide hit, topping Netflix's global charts with more than 33 million views in just two weeks, reaching the top 10 in 93 countries (it's currently at number two globally). It has its own fan art and audiences around the world are already demanding a sequel. It's not just the film that's making waves. Since its release on 20 June, two fictional bands featured in the story – the righteous girl group Huntr/x and their rebellious counterparts Saja Boys – have dominated the global music charts, even surpassing K-pop powerhouses like BTS and Blackpink. Seven tracks from the film's soundtrack are now featured on the Billboard Hot 100. Their songs have risen to the top of Spotify's US chart, landing in the first and second spots. So, what's behind this extraordinary success and why does it resonate so strongly with global audiences? KPop Demon Hunters follows the story of Huntr/x, an all-female K-pop group (Rumi, Mira and Zoey) who double as secret guardians of the world. Beyond the glamour of the stage, these global superstars protect their fans from supernatural threats, squaring off against their villainous counterparts Saja Boys. This animated film blends action with a story about friendship, trust and staying true to your identity. With its dazzling visuals, slick action sequences, humour and a splash of fantasy, along with a universal message about self-discovery, it's easy to see the appeal. But it's the film's music that has been the key to its success. Maggie Kang, the Korean-Canadian co-director of the film, was apparently inspired by the K-pop idols she admired growing up. K-pop is the film's heartbeat. The group's music becomes a supernatural weapon that wards off dark forces. Each original track amplifies emotional moments. "Unlike other animated films, where songs are often added as a filler or commercial hook, the music here was woven into the narrative in a way that enhanced it rather than distracted," Lashai Ben Salmi, community leader with a focus on Korean culture in Europe, tells the BBC. "It gives the film a surprising level of maturity." Knowing how vital the soundtrack would be, directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans tapped into the expertise of seasoned K-pop producers. K-pop has evolved into a multi-billion-dollar industry, fuelled by a devoted global fanbase and known for its catchy, meticulously produced music, high-energy choreography and visually stunning music videos. "Because we wanted the music to be really incredible and really speak to the K-pop fans and be legitimately fit into the K-pop space, we felt that it was important to partner with a Korean label," Kang said during a Netflix press interview. The film was made possible with the help of top music producers, including Teddy Park, known for his work with Blackpink, and Grammy-winning Lindgren, who has worked with BTS and TWICE. Amanda Golka, a young content creator based in LA, tells the BBC that she isn't deeply into K-pop but has become obsessed with the film and the songs. "I have been blasting the soundtrack from Spotify every time I'm in the car" she says. "I always find it fascinating through different cultures the universal language that is music." Kim Youngdae, a music critic and ethnomusicologist specialising in K-pop, says that the series appeals even to those who have little interest in K-pop or are simply curious about it. "For the past 20 or 30 years, K-pop has really struggled to figure out how to naturally integrate into what we call the mainstream of pop culture, like in the US or the UK… because of the cultural barriers," he tells the BBC. "But animation is a very effective way to introduce unfamiliar cultures to mainstream platforms." Tradition meets trend Another key reason for the film's popularity is the world's growing familiarity with Korean culture. K-pop, K-film and K-dramas have already become mainstream in Western markets like the US, and this film reflects that cultural shift with remarkable authenticity. It carefully weaves in everyday elements of Korean life, especially around food and dining customs, which are an essential part of Korean culture. It also captures scenes from places like the ancient walls overlooking Seoul, Hanuiwon (traditional Korean medicine clinics), public bathhouses and the iconic Namsan Tower. These choices reflect a conscious effort to portray Korean culture beyond clichés and superficial imagery. It offers Korean viewers a rare sense of representation that feels both accurate and respectful. To achieve this level of authenticity, the production team travelled to South Korea and carried out extensive research into both traditional and modern aspects of Korean culture, from traditional clothing to the landmarks of Seoul. "We went to folk villages, we looked at what the bricks look like and how the streets are designed in Myeongdong. We took pictures because capturing the feeling is so important," Kang said. "We tried to make the movie feel as Korean as possible. And one way to do that was to, in every scene and every design aspect, add in Korean elements." One of the examples of this cultural sensitivity is in the animation itself. Although the characters speak English in the final version, the animators designed their mouth movements to match the shapes of Korean pronunciation. The characters' reactions are authentically Korean, and they also speak or sing some Korean words. "We animated the film with the idea that we wanted to make sure that all of those things sounded Korean, and that the reactions of the characters felt Korean too," Kang said. Moreover, the film vividly captures the unique culture of K-pop, immersing viewers in the world of fandom. It includes authentic details such as fan signing events, colourful light sticks, and Korean placards. The Huntr/x and Saja Boys perform perfectly synchronised dances – known as Kalgunmu in Korean. With its deep understanding of K-pop fan culture, the film invites audiences to connect with the characters as if they were real idols. More like this:• 10 of the best films to watch this July• Why original kids' films are flopping so badly• The dawn of a TV revolution "Because the concept was K-pop, it was able to include a wide range of K-pop bands. It's not about one particular group or one particular era - it's about the whole culture of K-pop," Kim said. "K-pop fans often focus on individual groups, but this film embraces the broader culture of K-pop as a whole." And the film creates a unique blend of traditional Korean culture with contemporary K-pop. The girl group Huntr/x's use of swords and fans recalls Korean shamans called Mudang, while their rivals the Saja Boys represent evil spirits dressed like the Korean Grim Reaper. Korean shamanism appears in symbolic elements like Dangsan trees (deified tree) and Dokkaebi (Korean goblins). Even the weapons draw on traditional Korean designs, while their stage backdrop features traditional Korean paintings. Two mascots: Derpy, a tiger, and Sussy, a magpie, hold special meaning in late Joseon folk tales, symbolising guardianship and good fortune. Beneath its vibrant surface, the film carries a universal message about characters who struggle with self-acceptance but ultimately reclaim their true identities. It's a coming-of-age journey that resonates across cultures. Even those unfamiliar with K-pop or Korean traditions can connect with its themes. "[It's about] self-acceptance" says Golka. "Your friends may not understand right away, but… they do love you and they will figure it out. I think that has really resonated with people." KPop Demon Hunters is available to stream on Netflix. -- For more Culture stories from the BBC, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'KPop Demon Hunters' is a global Netflix sensation. It has a 95% on Rotten Tomatoes. So, why haven't you watched it yet?
They have one of the most-watched movies in the world on Netflix and the highest-debuting movie soundtrack of 2025. Oh, and they're animated characters. Meet Rumi, Mira and Zoey, a fictional female K-pop trio better known as Huntr/x, who are the stars of Netflix's animated summer sensation, KPop Demon Hunters. Since its June 20 release, the movie has slayed the pop culture conversation, inspired countless fan art and memes, dominated streaming and music playlists — and there's no sign of losing steam. The Sony Pictures Animation movie follows Huntr/x, whose members secretly moonlight as demon hunters tasked to maintain a magical barrier that protects humans from the dark underworld. Their singing voices keep the worlds sealed off from each other, but a rival demon boy group, the Saja Boys, threatens to suck people's souls dry and weaken the barrier in order to infiltrate the human realm. Currently No. 2 on Netflix's list of most-streamed movies globally, with nearly 94 million hours viewed, KPop Demon Hunters has notched a 95% critics rating and an equally impressive 90% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. The soundtrack rocketed to No. 3 on the Billboard 200 albums chart in its second week of release, making it the highest-charting soundtrack of the year. Its original songs have topped the U.S. Spotify chart, surpassing previous peaks set by K-pop superstar groups BTS and Blackpink. Real-life K-pop idols have taken notice too, with some participating in dance challenges on TikTok, producing music-video-quality song covers and praising the movie on social media. Netflix is submitting the KPop Demon Hunters power anthem 'Golden' for awards consideration, releasing it as an official single on July 4. 'It's incredible to see a movie that is about connection actually connecting people,' Maggie Kang, codirector and cowriter of KPop Demon Hunters, tells Yahoo of the 'whirlwind' response. She and KPop Demon Hunters codirector-cowriter Chris Appelhans have seen proof that the movie is striking a chord among all demographics, from mothers and daughters to K-pop newbies to 'gym bros.' Many are already calling for a sequel. 'We always felt like the movie has such a bigger audience than the title implies,' Appelhans tells Yahoo. 'If you love music, if you like identity stories [and] if you like to laugh, those are such broad and appealing things [that the movie offers].' One of the biggest draws of KPop Demon Hunters is the vibrant, pop-art animation style that Sony Pictures Animation — the studio behind the Oscar-winning Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse movies — has become known for. From a punchier color palette to anime-inspired character designs, the movie is a feast for the eyes. Marissa Yonamine, who reviews movies on TikTok, was initially drawn to the film because of Sony Pictures Animation's 'great track record,' citing the studio's past successes The Mitchells vs. the Machines and the Spider-Verse films. 'That gave it credibility,' Yonamine tells Yahoo. 'Immediately, I fell in love with it.' It also helps that the animation amplifies what the characters are going through internally as the story unfolds — a key point in the development of the plot and the overall look of the movie. Appelhans says it goes hand in hand with creating 'great characters, stories, personalities and entertainment value, and also [including their] struggle, pain and wants. And that dovetails so well with the music.' 'It was a very intricate puzzle that we had to put together because there's so much variety [in the scenes],' Kang says. 'OK, we need the music to do this. They need music scenes to be music videos. They need the comedy to do this. I feel very proud that we were able to achieve what we wanted for each scene, whether it's comedy or emotional or visual.' Stylistically, the film is 'a breath of fresh air from an animation perspective,' Crystal Bell, digital culture editor at Mashable and a K-pop expert, tells Yahoo — 'the expressiveness of the characters, the way that Zoey's eyes turn into hearts or burst into popcorn when she gets too hot. I love those little details that feel so specific to the visual language of this film that maybe others aren't [doing].' In an early scene, the Huntr/x girls bump into the Saja Boys and hear the group's bubbly, crowd-pleasing 'Soda Pop' for the first time. After fighting off the urge to groove to the beat, Rumi begrudgingly admits, 'It is annoyingly catchy.' And in another equally addictive song, the sinister 'Your Idol,' the Saja Boys exert their power over the fans as they confidently sing, 'Your obsession feeds our connection, so right now give me all your attention.' It's a sentiment that fans — K-pop lovers and nonlisteners alike — have obeyed of the soundtrack's seven original tracks, all of which have landed on the Billboard Hot 100. The team recruited proven K-pop hitmakers such as Teddy and Ejae (who provides the singing voice for Rumi), whose credits include writing and producing songs for artists like BigBang, Psy, Blackpink, Aespa and Red Velvet, to help shape the songs. Members from K-pop sensation Twice added street cred when they lent their talents to a track as well. 'That was our goal: Could we make a fictional but very real-feeling idol group? That was the bar,' Kang says. 'We just wanted it to feel very authentically K-pop so that our groups can slide into the industry and stand on their own. It definitely feels like we've done that.' Their creative risk-taking paid off. 'Some of the songs on the soundtrack are the best K-pop songs released this year so far,' Bell says. She pointed to 'Soda Pop' as a prime example of good timing and perfect execution converging to create the ideal summer song. 'K-pop is very seasonal,' Bell says. 'Every season brings a different tone to an artist's release, so there's a definite spring, summer sound. The fact that this song from a fictional boy group captured that summer sound that a traditional boy group would release is just perfect.' Outside of being addictive earworms, the songs also push the narrative forward, heightening the emotional stakes and adding to their appeal. 'Golden' drops at a crucial turning point in the movie for Huntr/x, particularly Rumi, whose secret half-demon identity is unmasked just as the group is close to sealing off the demon world. 'A song like 'Golden,' it's an 'I Want' song, which a lot of great pop songs are. Those coming-of-age songs, where it's like, 'I started from nowhere, I was the loser and now I'm the king,' Appelhans explains, referencing early '00s Kanye West raps as an example of what he wanted to accomplish. 'It's so archetypal pop.' KPop Demon Hunters embraces K-pop for its ability to unite, from the bonds between members to the parasocial connection with fans — and 'threads the needle quite well between spectacle and sincerity,' Bell says. '[K-pop fans are] often celebrating the [genre's] stars as fantastic and glamorous, and also celebrating them offscreen. Like [Blackpink's] Lisa being goofy in a TikTok, you're like, 'Oh that's real — that's off-camera Lisa,'' Appelhans says. 'That duality is very satisfying.' That level of authenticity was something he and Kang wanted to lean into, hence the portrayals of Huntr/x (and, to a lesser extent, the Saja Boys) as fully formed characters with relatable mannerisms and imperfections rather than unattainable caricatures of pop stardom. 'I want weird girls who do stupid faces,' Kang explains of the trio. The movie also positively depicts K-pop fandoms as diverse, loyal and tight-knit, and the collective feeling of community that often comes with being unapologetically open about a shared interest. It equally emphasizes that music and fans of it can be impenetrable sources of good (as is the case with Huntr/x) or evil (Saja Boys). 'With any global phenomenon like the Beatles or other boy groups, there's always going to be fans who are 'obsessive' — and that's correct to a certain degree — but there are reasons why they gravitate to those art forms or groups,' Yonamine suggests. '[They] speak to them on another level and they feel seen through the music.' 'I'm glad that KPop Demon Hunters is able to humanize and be able to give a reason to why fans love [K-pop] so much,' she says. Toni Hopkins, a filmmaker who reviews movies on TikTok, was already a K-pop fan when she dove into KPop Demon Hunters at a friend's suggestion. Since then, she's listened to the soundtrack 'nonstop,' appreciating many of the film's inside jokes and critiques about K-pop practices and K-drama conventions. (There are subtle critiques of idol diets, relentless schedules and the life-and-death pressures of maintaining success.) Hopkins says it's made her 'want to dive into that world more.' K-pop artists like BTS, Enhypen, Monsta X, Zerobaseone and Exo's Baekhyun have all tipped their cap to the movie on social media and at their own concerts, adding legitimacy to the movie's depiction of what it's like to be an artist today. 'It is a huge compliment that the K-pop industry is seeing it and recognizing it,' Kang said, 'and even Twice saying this was a great representation of what their lives are.' Original animated films have struggled mightily to gain traction in recent years, with studios like Pixar and Disney relying on sequels or live-action remakes in order to make a dent at the box office. It's left a gap that KPop Demon Hunters has unexpectedly filled, proving there's an appetite for bold, fearless stories if done well. 'A lot of shows and movies that come out nowadays are missing a soul or a heartbeat, and you can feel it in this movie,' Rachel Ruff Cuyler, a filmmaker and content creator, tells Yahoo. It's evident 'the cast and crew had fun making it,' which she says comes across onscreen. And a movie about a group of demon-slaying huntresses who use their K-pop personas as covers has a lot more depth than you would expect. Rooted in Korean culture and mythology, and primarily set in Seoul, KPop Demon Hunters delves into themes that are very much universal, from generational trauma and self-acceptance to overcoming shame and embracing one's true identity. 'We're seeing women being portrayed as feminine while still being badasses. It doesn't need to be one or the other. You can have both,' Hopkins says. 'I think that's why it's refreshing to see them act goofy and crazy and silly, but still be these beautiful, defined stars.' Despite having a runtime of under 100 minutes, KPop Demon Hunters has taken on a life of its own through fan art, video mash-ups and fan theories about what a potential sequel could entail. 'Chris and I joke that they're writing the next movie,' Kang says of the robust chatter, noting that fans are even posting comics and storyboards online. 'It's just getting bigger and bigger by the day,' she adds. 'We don't normally see new [intellectual property] doing this. So I hope it shows everybody that people want new stuff and people want things that are weird and different, and they're excited for it. It felt like [the audience] finally got a glass of water that they've been wanting to drink for a long time.'
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'KPop Demon Hunters' is a global Netflix sensation. It has a 95% on Rotten Tomatoes. So, why haven't you watched it yet?
They have one of the most-watched movies in the world on Netflix and the highest-debuting movie soundtrack of 2025. Oh, and they're animated characters. Meet Rumi, Mira and Zoey, a fictional female K-pop trio better known as Huntr/x, who are the stars of Netflix's animated summer sensation, KPop Demon Hunters. Since its June 20 release, the movie has slayed the pop culture conversation, inspired countless fan art and memes, dominated streaming and music playlists — and there's no sign of losing steam. The Sony Pictures Animation movie follows Huntr/x, whose members secretly moonlight as demon hunters tasked to maintain a magical barrier that protects humans from the dark underworld. Their singing voices keep the worlds sealed off from each other, but a rival demon boy group, the Saja Boys, threatens to suck people's souls dry and weaken the barrier in order to infiltrate the human realm. Currently No. 2 on Netflix's list of most-streamed movies globally, with nearly 94 million hours viewed, KPop Demon Hunters has notched a 95% critics rating and an equally impressive 90% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. The soundtrack rocketed to No. 3 on the Billboard 200 albums chart in its second week of release, making it the highest-charting soundtrack of the year. Its original songs have topped the U.S. Spotify chart, surpassing previous peaks set by K-pop superstar groups BTS and Blackpink. Real-life K-pop idols have taken notice too, with some participating in dance challenges on TikTok, producing music-video-quality song covers and praising the movie on social media. Netflix is submitting the KPop Demon Hunters power anthem 'Golden' for awards consideration, releasing it as an official single on July 4. 'It's incredible to see a movie that is about connection actually connecting people,' Maggie Kang, codirector and cowriter of KPop Demon Hunters, tells Yahoo of the 'whirlwind' response. She and KPop Demon Hunters codirector-cowriter Chris Appelhans have seen proof that the movie is striking a chord among all demographics, from mothers and daughters to K-pop newbies to 'gym bros.' Many are already calling for a sequel. 'We always felt like the movie has such a bigger audience than the title implies,' Appelhans tells Yahoo. 'If you love music, if you like identity stories [and] if you like to laugh, those are such broad and appealing things [that the movie offers].' One of the biggest draws of KPop Demon Hunters is the vibrant, pop-art animation style that Sony Pictures Animation — the studio behind the Oscar-winning Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse movies — has become known for. From a punchier color palette to anime-inspired character designs, the movie is a feast for the eyes. Marissa Yonamine, who reviews movies on TikTok, was initially drawn to the film because of Sony Pictures Animation's 'great track record,' citing the studio's past successes The Mitchells vs. the Machines and the Spider-Verse films. 'That gave it credibility,' Yonamine tells Yahoo. 'Immediately, I fell in love with it.' It also helps that the animation amplifies what the characters are going through internally as the story unfolds — a key point in the development of the plot and the overall look of the movie. Appelhans says it goes hand in hand with creating 'great characters, stories, personalities and entertainment value, and also [including their] struggle, pain and wants. And that dovetails so well with the music.' 'It was a very intricate puzzle that we had to put together because there's so much variety [in the scenes],' Kang says. 'OK, we need the music to do this. They need music scenes to be music videos. They need the comedy to do this. I feel very proud that we were able to achieve what we wanted for each scene, whether it's comedy or emotional or visual.' Stylistically, the film is 'a breath of fresh air from an animation perspective,' Crystal Bell, digital culture editor at Mashable and a K-pop expert, tells Yahoo — 'the expressiveness of the characters, the way that Zoey's eyes turn into hearts or burst into popcorn when she gets too hot. I love those little details that feel so specific to the visual language of this film that maybe others aren't [doing].' In an early scene, the Huntr/x girls bump into the Saja Boys and hear the group's bubbly, crowd-pleasing 'Soda Pop' for the first time. After fighting off the urge to groove to the beat, Rumi begrudgingly admits, 'It is annoyingly catchy.' And in another equally addictive song, the sinister 'Your Idol,' the Saja Boys exert their power over the fans as they confidently sing, 'Your obsession feeds our connection, so right now give me all your attention.' It's a sentiment that fans — K-pop lovers and nonlisteners alike — have obeyed of the soundtrack's seven original tracks, all of which have landed on the Billboard Hot 100. The team recruited proven K-pop hitmakers such as Teddy and Ejae (who provides the singing voice for Rumi), whose credits include writing and producing songs for artists like BigBang, Psy, Blackpink, Aespa and Red Velvet, to help shape the songs. Members from K-pop sensation Twice added street cred when they lent their talents to a track as well. 'That was our goal: Could we make a fictional but very real-feeling idol group? That was the bar,' Kang says. 'We just wanted it to feel very authentically K-pop so that our groups can slide into the industry and stand on their own. It definitely feels like we've done that.' Their creative risk-taking paid off. 'Some of the songs on the soundtrack are the best K-pop songs released this year so far,' Bell says. She pointed to 'Soda Pop' as a prime example of good timing and perfect execution converging to create the ideal summer song. 'K-pop is very seasonal,' Bell says. 'Every season brings a different tone to an artist's release, so there's a definite spring, summer sound. The fact that this song from a fictional boy group captured that summer sound that a traditional boy group would release is just perfect.' Outside of being addictive earworms, the songs also push the narrative forward, heightening the emotional stakes and adding to their appeal. 'Golden' drops at a crucial turning point in the movie for Huntr/x, particularly Rumi, whose secret half-demon identity is unmasked just as the group is close to sealing off the demon world. 'A song like 'Golden,' it's an 'I Want' song, which a lot of great pop songs are. Those coming-of-age songs, where it's like, 'I started from nowhere, I was the loser and now I'm the king,' Appelhans explains, referencing early '00s Kanye West raps as an example of what he wanted to accomplish. 'It's so archetypal pop.' KPop Demon Hunters embraces K-pop for its ability to unite, from the bonds between members to the parasocial connection with fans — and 'threads the needle quite well between spectacle and sincerity,' Bell says. '[K-pop fans are] often celebrating the [genre's] stars as fantastic and glamorous, and also celebrating them offscreen. Like [Blackpink's] Lisa being goofy in a TikTok, you're like, 'Oh that's real — that's off-camera Lisa,'' Appelhans says. 'That duality is very satisfying.' That level of authenticity was something he and Kang wanted to lean into, hence the portrayals of Huntr/x (and, to a lesser extent, the Saja Boys) as fully formed characters with relatable mannerisms and imperfections rather than unattainable caricatures of pop stardom. 'I want weird girls who do stupid faces,' Kang explains of the trio. The movie also positively depicts K-pop fandoms as diverse, loyal and tight-knit, and the collective feeling of community that often comes with being unapologetically open about a shared interest. It equally emphasizes that music and fans of it can be impenetrable sources of good (as is the case with Huntr/x) or evil (Saja Boys). 'With any global phenomenon like the Beatles or other boy groups, there's always going to be fans who are 'obsessive' — and that's correct to a certain degree — but there are reasons why they gravitate to those art forms or groups,' Yonamine suggests. '[They] speak to them on another level and they feel seen through the music.' 'I'm glad that KPop Demon Hunters is able to humanize and be able to give a reason to why fans love [K-pop] so much,' she says. Toni Hopkins, a filmmaker who reviews movies on TikTok, was already a K-pop fan when she dove into KPop Demon Hunters at a friend's suggestion. Since then, she's listened to the soundtrack 'nonstop,' appreciating many of the film's inside jokes and critiques about K-pop practices and K-drama conventions. (There are subtle critiques of idol diets, relentless schedules and the life-and-death pressures of maintaining success.) Hopkins says it's made her 'want to dive into that world more.' K-pop artists like BTS, Enhypen, Monsta X, Zerobaseone and Exo's Baekhyun have all tipped their cap to the movie on social media and at their own concerts, adding legitimacy to the movie's depiction of what it's like to be an artist today. 'It is a huge compliment that the K-pop industry is seeing it and recognizing it,' Kang said, 'and even Twice saying this was a great representation of what their lives are.' Original animated films have struggled mightily to gain traction in recent years, with studios like Pixar and Disney relying on sequels or live-action remakes in order to make a dent at the box office. It's left a gap that KPop Demon Hunters has unexpectedly filled, proving there's an appetite for bold, fearless stories if done well. 'A lot of shows and movies that come out nowadays are missing a soul or a heartbeat, and you can feel it in this movie,' Rachel Ruff Cuyler, a filmmaker and content creator, tells Yahoo. It's evident 'the cast and crew had fun making it,' which she says comes across onscreen. And a movie about a group of demon-slaying huntresses who use their K-pop personas as covers has a lot more depth than you would expect. Rooted in Korean culture and mythology, and primarily set in Seoul, KPop Demon Hunters delves into themes that are very much universal, from generational trauma and self-acceptance to overcoming shame and embracing one's true identity. 'We're seeing women being portrayed as feminine while still being badasses. It doesn't need to be one or the other. You can have both,' Hopkins says. 'I think that's why it's refreshing to see them act goofy and crazy and silly, but still be these beautiful, defined stars.' Despite having a runtime of under 100 minutes, KPop Demon Hunters has taken on a life of its own through fan art, video mash-ups and fan theories about what a potential sequel could entail. 'Chris and I joke that they're writing the next movie,' Kang says of the robust chatter, noting that fans are even posting comics and storyboards online. 'It's just getting bigger and bigger by the day,' she adds. 'We don't normally see new [intellectual property] doing this. So I hope it shows everybody that people want new stuff and people want things that are weird and different, and they're excited for it. It felt like [the audience] finally got a glass of water that they've been wanting to drink for a long time.'
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
It's the animated hit 2025 needed — and it's not a Pixar or Disney movie
They have one of the most-watched movies in the world on Netflix and the highest-debuting movie soundtrack of 2025. Oh, and they're animated characters. Meet Rumi, Mira and Zoey, a fictional female K-pop trio better known as Huntr/x, who are the stars of Netflix's animated summer sensation, KPop Demon Hunters. Since its June 20 release, the movie has slayed the pop culture conversation, inspired countless fan art and memes, dominated streaming and music playlists — and there's no sign of losing steam. The Sony Pictures Animation movie follows Huntr/x, whose members secretly moonlight as demon hunters tasked to maintain a magical barrier that protects humans from the dark underworld. Their singing voices keep the worlds sealed off from each other, but a rival demon boy group, the Saja Boys, threatens to suck people's souls dry and weaken the barrier in order to infiltrate the human realm. Currently No. 2 on Netflix's list of most-streamed movies globally, with nearly 94 million hours viewed, KPop Demon Hunters has notched a 95% critics rating and an equally impressive 90% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. The soundtrack rocketed to No. 3 on the Billboard 200 albums chart in its second week of release, making it the highest-charting soundtrack of the year. Its original songs have topped the U.S. Spotify chart, surpassing previous peaks set by K-pop superstar groups BTS and Blackpink. Real-life K-pop idols have taken notice too, with some participating in dance challenges on TikTok, producing music-video-quality song covers and praising the movie on social media. Netflix is submitting the KPop Demon Hunters power anthem 'Golden' for awards consideration, releasing it as an official single on July 4. 'It's incredible to see a movie that is about connection actually connecting people,' Maggie Kang, codirector and cowriter of KPop Demon Hunters, tells Yahoo of the 'whirlwind' response. She and KPop Demon Hunters codirector-cowriter Chris Appelhans have seen proof that the movie is striking a chord among all demographics, from mothers and daughters to K-pop newbies to 'gym bros.' Many are already calling for a sequel. 'We always felt like the movie has such a bigger audience than the title implies,' Appelhans tells Yahoo. 'If you love music, if you like identity stories [and] if you like to laugh, those are such broad and appealing things [that the movie offers].' One of the biggest draws of KPop Demon Hunters is the vibrant, pop-art animation style that Sony Pictures Animation — the studio behind the Oscar-winning Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse movies — has become known for. From a punchier color palette to anime-inspired character designs, the movie is a feast for the eyes. Marissa Yonamine, who reviews movies on TikTok, was initially drawn to the film because of Sony Pictures Animation's 'great track record,' citing the studio's past successes The Mitchells vs. the Machines and the Spider-Verse films. 'That gave it credibility,' Yonamine tells Yahoo. 'Immediately, I fell in love with it.' It also helps that the animation amplifies what the characters are going through internally as the story unfolds — a key point in the development of the plot and the overall look of the movie. Appelhans says it goes hand in hand with creating 'great characters, stories, personalities and entertainment value, and also [including their] struggle, pain and wants. And that dovetails so well with the music.' 'It was a very intricate puzzle that we had to put together because there's so much variety [in the scenes],' Kang says. 'OK, we need the music to do this. They need music scenes to be music videos. They need the comedy to do this. I feel very proud that we were able to achieve what we wanted for each scene, whether it's comedy or emotional or visual.' Stylistically, the film is 'a breath of fresh air from an animation perspective,' Crystal Bell, digital culture editor at Mashable and a K-pop expert, tells Yahoo — 'the expressiveness of the characters, the way that Zoey's eyes turn into hearts or burst into popcorn when she gets too hot. I love those little details that feel so specific to the visual language of this film that maybe others aren't [doing].' In an early scene, the Huntr/x girls bump into the Saja Boys and hear the group's bubbly, crowd-pleasing 'Soda Pop' for the first time. After fighting off the urge to groove to the beat, Rumi begrudgingly admits, 'It is annoyingly catchy.' And in another equally addictive song, the sinister 'Your Idol,' the Saja Boys exert their power over the fans as they confidently sing, 'Your obsession feeds our connection, so right now give me all your attention.' It's a sentiment that fans — K-pop lovers and nonlisteners alike — have obeyed of the soundtrack's seven original tracks, all of which have landed on the Billboard Hot 100. The team recruited proven K-pop hitmakers such as Teddy and Ejae (who provides the singing voice for Rumi), whose credits include writing and producing songs for artists like BigBang, Psy, Blackpink, Aespa and Red Velvet, to help shape the songs. Members from K-pop sensation Twice added street cred when they lent their talents to a track as well. 'That was our goal: Could we make a fictional but very real-feeling idol group? That was the bar,' Kang says. 'We just wanted it to feel very authentically K-pop so that our groups can slide into the industry and stand on their own. It definitely feels like we've done that.' Their creative risk-taking paid off. 'Some of the songs on the soundtrack are the best K-pop songs released this year so far,' Bell says. She pointed to 'Soda Pop' as a prime example of good timing and perfect execution converging to create the ideal summer song. 'K-pop is very seasonal,' Bell says. 'Every season brings a different tone to an artist's release, so there's a definite spring, summer sound. The fact that this song from a fictional boy group captured that summer sound that a traditional boy group would release is just perfect.' Outside of being addictive earworms, the songs also push the narrative forward, heightening the emotional stakes and adding to their appeal. 'Golden' drops at a crucial turning point in the movie for Huntr/x, particularly Rumi, whose secret half-demon identity is unmasked just as the group is close to sealing off the demon world. 'A song like 'Golden,' it's an 'I Want' song, which a lot of great pop songs are. Those coming-of-age songs, where it's like, 'I started from nowhere, I was the loser and now I'm the king,' Appelhans explains, referencing early '00s Kanye West raps as an example of what he wanted to accomplish. 'It's so archetypal pop.' KPop Demon Hunters embraces K-pop for its ability to unite, from the bonds between members to the parasocial connection with fans — and 'threads the needle quite well between spectacle and sincerity,' Bell says. '[K-pop fans are] often celebrating the [genre's] stars as fantastic and glamorous, and also celebrating them offscreen. Like [Blackpink's] Lisa being goofy in a TikTok, you're like, 'Oh that's real — that's off-camera Lisa,'' Appelhans says. 'That duality is very satisfying.' That level of authenticity was something he and Kang wanted to lean into, hence the portrayals of Huntr/x (and, to a lesser extent, the Saja Boys) as fully formed characters with relatable mannerisms and imperfections rather than unattainable caricatures of pop stardom. 'I want weird girls who do stupid faces,' Kang explains of the trio. The movie also positively depicts K-pop fandoms as diverse, loyal and tight-knit, and the collective feeling of community that often comes with being unapologetically open about a shared interest. It equally emphasizes that music and fans of it can be impenetrable sources of good (as is the case with Huntr/x) or evil (Saja Boys). 'With any global phenomenon like the Beatles or other boy groups, there's always going to be fans who are 'obsessive' — and that's correct to a certain degree — but there are reasons why they gravitate to those art forms or groups,' Yonamine suggests. '[They] speak to them on another level and they feel seen through the music.' 'I'm glad that KPop Demon Hunters is able to humanize and be able to give a reason to why fans love [K-pop] so much,' she says. Toni Hopkins, a filmmaker who reviews movies on TikTok, was already a K-pop fan when she dove into KPop Demon Hunters at a friend's suggestion. Since then, she's listened to the soundtrack 'nonstop,' appreciating many of the film's inside jokes and critiques about K-pop practices and K-drama conventions. (There are subtle critiques of idol diets, relentless schedules and the life-and-death pressures of maintaining success.) Hopkins says it's made her 'want to dive into that world more.' K-pop artists like BTS, Enhypen, Monsta X, Zerobaseone and Exo's Baekhyun have all tipped their cap to the movie on social media and at their own concerts, adding legitimacy to the movie's depiction of what it's like to be an artist today. 'It is a huge compliment that the K-pop industry is seeing it and recognizing it,' Kang said, 'and even Twice saying this was a great representation of what their lives are.' Original animated films have struggled mightily to gain traction in recent years, with studios like Pixar and Disney relying on sequels or live-action remakes in order to make a dent at the box office. It's left a gap that KPop Demon Hunters has unexpectedly filled, proving there's an appetite for bold, fearless stories if done well. 'A lot of shows and movies that come out nowadays are missing a soul or a heartbeat, and you can feel it in this movie,' Rachel Ruff Cuyler, a filmmaker and content creator, tells Yahoo. It's evident 'the cast and crew had fun making it,' which she says comes across onscreen. And a movie about a group of demon-slaying huntresses who use their K-pop personas as covers has a lot more depth than you would expect. Rooted in Korean culture and mythology, and primarily set in Seoul, KPop Demon Hunters delves into themes that are very much universal, from generational trauma and self-acceptance to overcoming shame and embracing one's true identity. 'We're seeing women being portrayed as feminine while still being badasses. It doesn't need to be one or the other. You can have both,' Hopkins says. 'I think that's why it's refreshing to see them act goofy and crazy and silly, but still be these beautiful, defined stars.' Despite having a runtime of under 100 minutes, KPop Demon Hunters has taken on a life of its own through fan art, video mash-ups and fan theories about what a potential sequel could entail. 'Chris and I joke that they're writing the next movie,' Kang says of the robust chatter, noting that fans are even posting comics and storyboards online. 'It's just getting bigger and bigger by the day,' she adds. 'We don't normally see new [intellectual property] doing this. So I hope it shows everybody that people want new stuff and people want things that are weird and different, and they're excited for it. It felt like [the audience] finally got a glass of water that they've been wanting to drink for a long time.'
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
It's the animated hit 2025 needed — and it's not a Pixar or Disney movie
They have one of the most-watched movies in the world on Netflix and the highest-debuting movie soundtrack of 2025. Oh, and they're animated characters. Meet Rumi, Mira and Zoey, a fictional female K-pop trio better known as Huntr/x, who are the stars of Netflix's animated summer sensation, KPop Demon Hunters. Since its June 20 release, the movie has slayed the pop culture conversation, inspired countless fan art and memes, dominated streaming and music playlists — and there's no sign of losing steam. The Sony Pictures Animation movie follows Huntr/x, whose members secretly moonlight as demon hunters tasked to maintain a magical barrier that protects humans from the dark underworld. Their singing voices keep the worlds sealed off from each other, but a rival demon boy group, the Saja Boys, threatens to suck people's souls dry and weaken the barrier in order to infiltrate the human realm. Currently No. 2 on Netflix's list of most-streamed movies globally, with nearly 94 million hours viewed, KPop Demon Hunters has notched a 95% critics rating and an equally impressive 90% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. The soundtrack rocketed to No. 3 on the Billboard 200 albums chart in its second week of release, making it the highest-charting soundtrack of the year. Its original songs have topped the U.S. Spotify chart, surpassing previous peaks set by K-pop superstar groups BTS and Blackpink. Real-life K-pop idols have taken notice too, with some participating in dance challenges on TikTok, producing music-video-quality song covers and praising the movie on social media. Netflix is submitting the KPop Demon Hunters power anthem 'Golden' for awards consideration, releasing it as an official single on July 4. 'It's incredible to see a movie that is about connection actually connecting people,' Maggie Kang, codirector and cowriter of KPop Demon Hunters, tells Yahoo of the 'whirlwind' response. She and KPop Demon Hunters codirector-cowriter Chris Appelhans have seen proof that the movie is striking a chord among all demographics, from mothers and daughters to K-pop newbies to 'gym bros.' Many are already calling for a sequel. 'We always felt like the movie has such a bigger audience than the title implies,' Appelhans tells Yahoo. 'If you love music, if you like identity stories [and] if you like to laugh, those are such broad and appealing things [that the movie offers].' One of the biggest draws of KPop Demon Hunters is the vibrant, pop-art animation style that Sony Pictures Animation — the studio behind the Oscar-winning Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse movies — has become known for. From a punchier color palette to anime-inspired character designs, the movie is a feast for the eyes. Marissa Yonamine, who reviews movies on TikTok, was initially drawn to the film because of Sony Pictures Animation's 'great track record,' citing the studio's past successes The Mitchells vs. the Machines and the Spider-Verse films. 'That gave it credibility,' Yonamine tells Yahoo. 'Immediately, I fell in love with it.' It also helps that the animation amplifies what the characters are going through internally as the story unfolds — a key point in the development of the plot and the overall look of the movie. Appelhans says it goes hand in hand with creating 'great characters, stories, personalities and entertainment value, and also [including their] struggle, pain and wants. And that dovetails so well with the music.' 'It was a very intricate puzzle that we had to put together because there's so much variety [in the scenes],' Kang says. 'OK, we need the music to do this. They need music scenes to be music videos. They need the comedy to do this. I feel very proud that we were able to achieve what we wanted for each scene, whether it's comedy or emotional or visual.' Stylistically, the film is 'a breath of fresh air from an animation perspective,' Crystal Bell, digital culture editor at Mashable and a K-pop expert, tells Yahoo — 'the expressiveness of the characters, the way that Zoey's eyes turn into hearts or burst into popcorn when she gets too hot. I love those little details that feel so specific to the visual language of this film that maybe others aren't [doing].' In an early scene, the Huntr/x girls bump into the Saja Boys and hear the group's bubbly, crowd-pleasing 'Soda Pop' for the first time. After fighting off the urge to groove to the beat, Rumi begrudgingly admits, 'It is annoyingly catchy.' And in another equally addictive song, the sinister 'Your Idol,' the Saja Boys exert their power over the fans as they confidently sing, 'Your obsession feeds our connection, so right now give me all your attention.' It's a sentiment that fans — K-pop lovers and nonlisteners alike — have obeyed of the soundtrack's seven original tracks, all of which have landed on the Billboard Hot 100. The team recruited proven K-pop hitmakers such as Teddy and Ejae (who provides the singing voice for Rumi), whose credits include writing and producing songs for artists like BigBang, Psy, Blackpink, Aespa and Red Velvet, to help shape the songs. Members from K-pop sensation Twice added street cred when they lent their talents to a track as well. 'That was our goal: Could we make a fictional but very real-feeling idol group? That was the bar,' Kang says. 'We just wanted it to feel very authentically K-pop so that our groups can slide into the industry and stand on their own. It definitely feels like we've done that.' Their creative risk-taking paid off. 'Some of the songs on the soundtrack are the best K-pop songs released this year so far,' Bell says. She pointed to 'Soda Pop' as a prime example of good timing and perfect execution converging to create the ideal summer song. 'K-pop is very seasonal,' Bell says. 'Every season brings a different tone to an artist's release, so there's a definite spring, summer sound. The fact that this song from a fictional boy group captured that summer sound that a traditional boy group would release is just perfect.' Outside of being addictive earworms, the songs also push the narrative forward, heightening the emotional stakes and adding to their appeal. 'Golden' drops at a crucial turning point in the movie for Huntr/x, particularly Rumi, whose secret half-demon identity is unmasked just as the group is close to sealing off the demon world. 'A song like 'Golden,' it's an 'I Want' song, which a lot of great pop songs are. Those coming-of-age songs, where it's like, 'I started from nowhere, I was the loser and now I'm the king,' Appelhans explains, referencing early '00s Kanye West raps as an example of what he wanted to accomplish. 'It's so archetypal pop.' KPop Demon Hunters embraces K-pop for its ability to unite, from the bonds between members to the parasocial connection with fans — and 'threads the needle quite well between spectacle and sincerity,' Bell says. '[K-pop fans are] often celebrating the [genre's] stars as fantastic and glamorous, and also celebrating them offscreen. Like [Blackpink's] Lisa being goofy in a TikTok, you're like, 'Oh that's real — that's off-camera Lisa,'' Appelhans says. 'That duality is very satisfying.' That level of authenticity was something he and Kang wanted to lean into, hence the portrayals of Huntr/x (and, to a lesser extent, the Saja Boys) as fully formed characters with relatable mannerisms and imperfections rather than unattainable caricatures of pop stardom. 'I want weird girls who do stupid faces,' Kang explains of the trio. The movie also positively depicts K-pop fandoms as diverse, loyal and tight-knit, and the collective feeling of community that often comes with being unapologetically open about a shared interest. It equally emphasizes that music and fans of it can be impenetrable sources of good (as is the case with Huntr/x) or evil (Saja Boys). 'With any global phenomenon like the Beatles or other boy groups, there's always going to be fans who are 'obsessive' — and that's correct to a certain degree — but there are reasons why they gravitate to those art forms or groups,' Yonamine suggests. '[They] speak to them on another level and they feel seen through the music.' 'I'm glad that KPop Demon Hunters is able to humanize and be able to give a reason to why fans love [K-pop] so much,' she says. Toni Hopkins, a filmmaker who reviews movies on TikTok, was already a K-pop fan when she dove into KPop Demon Hunters at a friend's suggestion. Since then, she's listened to the soundtrack 'nonstop,' appreciating many of the film's inside jokes and critiques about K-pop practices and K-drama conventions. (There are subtle critiques of idol diets, relentless schedules and the life-and-death pressures of maintaining success.) Hopkins says it's made her 'want to dive into that world more.' K-pop artists like BTS, Enhypen, Monsta X, Zerobaseone and Exo's Baekhyun have all tipped their cap to the movie on social media and at their own concerts, adding legitimacy to the movie's depiction of what it's like to be an artist today. 'It is a huge compliment that the K-pop industry is seeing it and recognizing it,' Kang said, 'and even Twice saying this was a great representation of what their lives are.' Original animated films have struggled mightily to gain traction in recent years, with studios like Pixar and Disney relying on sequels or live-action remakes in order to make a dent at the box office. It's left a gap that KPop Demon Hunters has unexpectedly filled, proving there's an appetite for bold, fearless stories if done well. 'A lot of shows and movies that come out nowadays are missing a soul or a heartbeat, and you can feel it in this movie,' Rachel Ruff Cuyler, a filmmaker and content creator, tells Yahoo. It's evident 'the cast and crew had fun making it,' which she says comes across onscreen. And a movie about a group of demon-slaying huntresses who use their K-pop personas as covers has a lot more depth than you would expect. Rooted in Korean culture and mythology, and primarily set in Seoul, KPop Demon Hunters delves into themes that are very much universal, from generational trauma and self-acceptance to overcoming shame and embracing one's true identity. 'We're seeing women being portrayed as feminine while still being badasses. It doesn't need to be one or the other. You can have both,' Hopkins says. 'I think that's why it's refreshing to see them act goofy and crazy and silly, but still be these beautiful, defined stars.' Despite having a runtime of under 100 minutes, KPop Demon Hunters has taken on a life of its own through fan art, video mash-ups and fan theories about what a potential sequel could entail. 'Chris and I joke that they're writing the next movie,' Kang says of the robust chatter, noting that fans are even posting comics and storyboards online. 'It's just getting bigger and bigger by the day,' she adds. 'We don't normally see new [intellectual property] doing this. So I hope it shows everybody that people want new stuff and people want things that are weird and different, and they're excited for it. It felt like [the audience] finally got a glass of water that they've been wanting to drink for a long time.'
