The summer of 2025 will be remembered for many things, but the one that will truly go down in history is Netflix’s most popular release yet: KPop Demon Hunters. Released on June 20, the movie instantly drew international acclaim. For weeks, the internet was consumed with talk of Huntrix and the Saja Boys, Jinu and Rumi, and the seven songs that outperformed even real-world groups on the Billboard Top 100. So, what made this movie so captivating?
At its heart, the film follows Huntrix, a K-pop girl group inspired by acts like TWICE and BLACKPINK. However, the film’s three stars—Zoey, Mira, and Rumi—are more than idols. By night, they live secret lives as modern-day Korean shamans, fighting demons that threaten to break into the human realm. Their weapons are not only blades but also song and dance, which they use to protect the honmoon, a magical barrier separating humans from demons.
The balance is shaken when a new group, the Saja Boys, modeled after Stray Kids, bursts onto the scene. As their fame skyrockets, Zoey, Mira, and Rumi uncover a chilling truth: the boys are demons in disguise.
The mix of music, fantasy, and action is enough to draw viewers in, but the film quickly became more than a hit. Within two weeks it had over 33 million streams, reached Netflix’s Top 10 in 93 countries, and climbed to No. 2 worldwide, according to the BBC. Its soundtrack was just as explosive, with seven songs hitting the Billboard Hot 100 and two topping Spotify’s U.S. chart. Fans treated Huntrix and the Saja Boys like real idols, flooding social media with fan art, edits, and demands for a sequel.
The key element that allowed the audience to truly connect with the characters in the film was the music. In total, the movie displayed a total of 13 songs, including nine original songs; however, it is evident that the song “Golden” has impacted the souls of people from all over the world and has continued to rise up to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The fans are mesmerized by the talented voices of EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and REI AMI that seem to be glowing in the song. The song’s popularity only seems to be going rising, as it has been highlighted in over 10,000 user-generated videos on Tik Tok according to a Charmetric post.
Music is at the heart of its success; no other movie has ever relied on so many specially produced songs. Directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans worked with top K-pop producers like Teddy Park, who has written for BLACKPINK, and Grammy-winner Lindgren, known for BTS and TWICE. Unlike many animated films where songs feel like filler, the soundtrack here drives the story itself. “It gives the film a surprising level of maturity,” Lashai Ben Salmi, a community leader focused on Korean culture, told BBC.
The film also stands out for its cultural detail. From Seoul’s food stalls and street scenes to references to shamanism and Korean folklore, KPop Demon Hunters balanced modern pop with deep tradition. Huntrix’s weapons also recall historical designs, while the Saja Boys embody the infamous Korean Grim Reaper. Even the mascots, a tiger and a magpie, come straight from ancient folk tales. The production team traveled across Korea to capture these details, making the Demon Hunter world feel both authentic and alive.
This attention to culture helped the film connect with both Korean and global audiences. For some, it offered a rare representation that felt accurate. For others, it was a fresh way into a culture they didn’t know. “Animation is a very effective way to introduce unfamiliar cultures to mainstream platforms,” music critic Kim Youngdae said to BBC.
For many fans, the film’s universal themes of friendship and self-acceptance hit hardest. “Your friends may not understand right away, but they do love you and they will figure it out,” Los Angeles content creator Amanda Golka said in an interview with BBC.
In the end, Huntrix saved their realm and secured the Honmoon, leaving a legacy as unforgettable as their songs.
