REVIEW: 'KPop Demon Hunters' is the quintessential movie for hallyu fans
From its self-evident title to the earworm virality of its song Soda Pop, KPop Demon Hunters is Sony Pictures Animation’s latest attention-grabbing animated film, and for good reason.
Despite the trailers initially drawing skepticism among the online K-pop community, the film proves itself to be a creative marvel and a sincere celebration of Korean pop culture in mainstream Western animation.
A humorous and heartfelt journey
Directed by first-time director Maggie Kang and Wish Dragon’s Chris Appelhans, the film depicts demon hunters as K-pop stars whose songs help protect people’s souls from being devoured by demon lord Gwi-ma (Lee Byung-hun) and his underlings.
Huntrix, composed of workaholic group leader Rumi (Arden Cho), headstrong choreographer Mira (May Hong), and bubbly rapper Zoey (Ji-young Yoo), stands as the current generation of demon hunter-pop singers, only needing one last smash hit to seal the barrier between the demon realm and the human world.
Enter the charming demon Jinu (Ahn Hyo Seop) and his rookie boy group Saja Boys, who plot to help Gwi-ma defeat Huntrix by stealing away their fans. With the fans’ souls on the line, a tug-of-war race to popularity then kicks off the movie.
Aware of its zany premise, the film pokes fun at the power K-pop song streams hold over the fate of humanity, while also exploring the often life-changing impact of music.
To fans, K-pop can save lives, bringing excitement and a sense of community. As hope-bringers in more ways than one, however, the Huntrix girls all grapple with the weight of expectations in an industry and double life where “no faults or fears can ever be seen.” The pressures only ramp up in the clashes between Huntrix and the Saja Boys, where group leaders Rumi and Jinu, in particular, challenge each other’s beliefs on identity and a true self.
Make no mistake, however—the movie never loses itself into the rabbit hole of "exposing the dark side of the pop industry," but instead, illustrates the darkness to let the light shine through. When problems arise within Huntrix, the film affirms the role music plays as a key to freedom and connection.
A vivid visual identity
To talk about the dilemma of authenticity is one thing, but the film best presents the binary of the girls’ double life through an impressive visual repertoire: smooth 3D animation for their polished idol performances and intense fights, and funnier 2D, emoji-like expressions for their casual bonding moments.
The visual mayhem of styles in the Spider-verse movies is an evident inspiration, but KPop Demon Hunters also forms its own stylistic preferences. Where else have we seen female main characters snack like gremlins, react to attractive men with bubbling popcorn eyes, and stab at demons while belting out mid-song?
Likewise, when have we seen a mainstream Western movie celebrate Kpop and South Korean culture this openly? The Seoul on screen never feels like a generic metropolis, as the distinct architecture of the Namsan Tower and traditional tile-roofed houses in Bukcheon Village stand out. Background characters, not just the idol characters, also mirror trendy Korean fashion. There is even a nod to Korean mythology in the grim reaper (승사자/jeoseung-saja) appearance of the Saja Boys.
More cheekily, Easter eggs lay in wait for fans to discover, such as a wink at the 2022 K-drama Business Proposal, with the sound of Melomance’s iconic love ballad, Love Maybe, setting the entrance of yet another character acted by Ahn Hyo Seop. The animation team has also acknowledged referencing popular Korean celebrities in the unique visual design of its idol characters, such as Astro member Cha Eun-woo for Jinu.
A heart for the Kpop Sound
There is also the monumental participation of actual industry performers and songwriters in all seven original songs of the movie. A look into the song credits boasts a collaboration with veteran Kpop girl group TWICE in Takedown, along with their 2024 song Strategy, the signature sound of BLACKPINK producer Teddy Park in Golden, and the recurring creative handprint of Aespa, Red Velvet songwriter EJAE in both production and vocals as the singing voice to Rumi.
As a result, Huntrix and Saja Boys sound like a polished snapshot of 3rd generation K-pop, displaying anthemic vocal harmony that somehow always makes room for a tight rap verse. None of Huntrix girl-crush songs would seem out of place if they were released as the latest comeback of BLACKPINK, ITZY, or TWICE. Likewise, Saja Boys’ switch-up between cute and sexy concepts is already on its way to stealing listeners’ souls.
Even non-K-pop fans and non-movie watchers can appreciate the catchy tunes on their own merit, although I would argue the story would be fairly missed. While the overall narrative has its flaws, KPop Demon Hunters works as a good musical movie, where every song counts in the narrative.
Charting the developing character voices throughout songs says more than I could in this spoiler-free review, but don't take my word for it and experience it yourself. From Huntrix's tight rhymes in the diss track Takedown to the soaring, empowering melody of Golden, every song paves the way for the film to shine through, and what a beautiful light it is. I can only hope this light passes on to future installments. Beneath the soul-snatching action and banger songs lies a couple of dangling plot threads left unanswered at the film's quick resolution.
What's next for the Huntrix girls, especially if the barrier weakens again? What are the stories of the earlier generation of demon-hunting pop stars? Perhaps playing it too safe, directors Kang and Appelhans refrain from addressing the extended implications of the climax, seeming to close the book on a story unfinished.
As it stands, however, KPop Demon Hunters opens the door to a stage worth seeing, where Korean culture stands proud and where music can free us from our insecurities. Or for the newly converted stans out there, it can also drag you into your latest obsession.
If you're looking for a feel-good movie with a heart for Korean culture, I recommend tuning in. Though there are a few story stumbles, Huntrix will show you how it's done, done, done.
