If you’ve been anywhere near Netflix lately, you’ve probably seen KPop Demon Hunters dominating the streaming service.
KPop Demon Hunters has become the most-watched movie Netflix has ever released, and four tracks from its soundtrack have broken into the Billboard Top 10. It’s even hit No.1 at the domestic box office – a huge first for a streaming-only release.
Here are my honest thoughts on this funky and fun film.
What is KPop Demon Hunters About?
The film follows Huntr/X, a mega-popular K-pop girl group, who are demon hunters. Their latest battle pits them against the Saja Boys, a demonic boy band trying to win over their fanbase and steal their souls while they’re at it.
The movie was directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, who also co-wrote the script alongside Danya Jimenez and Hannah McMechan, from a story created by Kang herself.
Who Stars in KPop Demon Hunters?
Huntr/X:
- Rumi is voiced by Arden Cho, with EJAE providing her singing voice
- Mira is voiced by May Hong, and sings via Audrey Nuna
- Zoey is voiced by Ji-young Yoo, with vocals by Rei Ami
Saja Boys
- Jinu Saja is voiced by Ahn Hyo Seop, with Andrew Choi singing
- Abby Saja is voiced by SungWon Cho, with music by NECKWAV
- Mystery Saja is voiced by Alan Lee, with vocals by Kevin Woo
- Romance Saja is voiced by Joel Kim Booster, singing by SamUIL Lee
- Baby Saja’s voice actor hasn’t been announced yet, but Danny Chung handles the vocals
My review of KPop Demon Hunters
Visually, KPop Demon Hunters is stunning – the animation is bursting with eye-popping colours. From neon-lit fight scenes to glittering stage performances, every frame feels like a love letter to both anime and K-pop aesthetics. I think a lot of fans (myself included) are hooked by how cinematic it all feels.
The Huntrx and Saja Boys have that classic K-pop idol aesthetic. It honestly feels like watching a real boy group come to life on screen.
This isn’t surprising, given that co-creator Maggie Kang revealed she took inspiration from real-life boy bands, even sharing that the Saja Boys’ song Soda Pop was partly inspired by BTS hits like Butter and Dynamite. You also get hints of EXO or NCT in the darker and more edgier performance sequences from Huntrx.
The soundtrack in general is packed with catchy songs. But despite the visuals and cool music, the storyline was a bit disappointing.
The plot moves too quickly, like the story about Rumi and her history, and even the downfall of the Saja Boys. One moment, we’re learning about the demon-hunting legacy; the next, we’re burst into another scene. There are glimpses of really cool world-building, like the supernatural K-pop agency, or how demon-slaying is tied to music, but none of it really gets explored in depth.
There’s definitely a lot of originality here, and I get why fans are loving it, especially those who love K-pop culture. While it was a good time, I wouldn’t say this movie is my favourite. However, it is definitely a fun watch for sure.
Rating
Click here for more of my TV show and movie reviews.