The latest Netflix movie has me in a chokehold thanks to its dance-worthy music, juicy visuals, and straightforward plot. Let's gush about Kpop Demon Hunters!
What is it about a demon-slaying Kpop girl group that scratches an itch in my brain? I’m on my third rewatch of Netflix’s Kpop Demon Hunters, and it still hits hard. When I watched this masterpiece during a steak dinner with friends over the weekend, I couldn’t tear my eyes from the screen. And it seems I’m not the only one!
The trio (and their very attractive enemies) have won the hearts of many, with a 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and 7.8 out of 10 on IMDb. But what makes this movie so brilliant? I’m here to tell you everything I loved about it (spoiler-free!). And yes, I have the soundtrack playing in the background as I write this.
Who are these go-getting demon hunters?
Meet Mira, Rumi, and Zoey – members of the top-charting girl group, Huntrix. Divas by day and demon hunters by night, the trio use their voices to maintain the honmoon — a barrier separating the human realm from the demon world. Huntrix is on a mission to keep demons at bay, stopping them from feeding souls to their ruler, Gwi-Ma, to banish them permanently.
The answer to Gwi-Ma’s troubles? Fighting our powerful Kpop girl group with a boy band of his own. Led by a demon named Jinu, the group masquerades as charismatic idols to drain humans of their souls. Will Huntrix be able to save the day by creating an unbeatable song to take them down? Only if they can overcome their struggles and find harmony, both on the stage and within themselves.
Why is it so damn good?
If you strip the bells and whistles from the Kpop Demon Hunters storyline, it’s a cut-and-paste plot we’ve seen time and time again. Squint hard enough and you’ll see plot points that come right out of movies like Frozen.
But the simplicity is what makes this movie so good. Behind the shiny weapons and bright colours is guilty-pleasure gold.
Kpop Demon Hunters is an easy watch with a straightforward plot that doesn’t leave you guessing. It’s not trying to be political or deeply analytical, which is the beauty of it. There are no overlapping plot layers or attempts to expand on multiple characters to overcomplicate the story.
The clear-cut plot (even if predictable) is not about reinvention. It’s a journey of self-discovery dressed up in eyeliner and mascara, making it easy to fall in love with.
Zero expectations that led to success
Sometimes, marketing isn’t the key to virality, and Kpop Demon Hunters proves that. I didn’t hear much about the movie even during its development, only whispers about how there was a Kpop-themed movie in the making.
Most artistic endeavours suffer from unmatched expectations. Think of that music artist you love who releases multiple clips of their unreleased song for months, only for you to be disappointed by the result (cough, Sam Smith’s “Unholy”). While some things thrive on that pre-release buzz, the trend I’ve seen so far is disappointment in a final product that gets painfully overhyped.
Kpop Demon Hunters had a multitude of clips that could have sent the film into the marketing stratosphere. But withholding all its bells and whistles was the smartest thing it could have done. It left fans in the dark, offering just enough to evoke curiosity while leaving the audience eagerly anticipating the full movie.
Characters with personality you’ll want to stan
I bet your favourite character after seeing this movie will be the tiger, because it was the highlight of my watching experience. And I’m not the only one! Friends in my circle share my sentiments.
Beyond this scene-stealing furball, we also can’t ignore the drop-dead gorgeous characters in the film. Like, seriously, they didn’t have to make Jinu and Rumi look that good. But they did, and we thank them for it endlessly. Everyone in the movie is ridiculously attractive, and the movie knows it. Just like real-life Kpop girl groups and boy bands, they embrace Kpop visuals that make them impossible to ignore.
It isn’t just mindless eye candy. The characters have personalities that make them endearing, and the film is peppered with a ton of feel-good moments that keep you glued to the screen. The tiger’s adorably derpy antics had me gushing periodically through the film, and you feel sympathetic for the characters going through struggles. It’s this blend of visuals and storytelling that lends enough emotional depth to keep you invested while keeping the movie lighthearted.
For those wondering, the tiger makes it to the end of the movie (the only thing I cared about, tbh).
An otherworldly audio and visual experience
Kpop as a genre has always had addictive beats that keep you coming back for more, and the soundtrack in Kpop Demon Hunters is no different. The team behind these absolute bops include powerhouses like Teddy Park (producer for 2NE1 and Blackpink), Danny Chung (CL’s songwriting partner), Ejae (composer of Red Velvet’s “Birthday”), and more.
Music is at the core of the movie, and classic Kpop elements are embraced in the beat, melody, and English-Korean lyrics. The result? Dance-worthy tracks that are currently topping global music charts, beating the likes of BTS, Aespa, and Katseye.
This audio feast is a dream come true for anyone with a full surround-sound setup because of its intentional production. I haven’t stopped listening to the soundtrack all weekend, and I’m pretty sure my partner is sick of me belting out the chorus to What It Sounds Like. But he’ll learn to love it, it’s fine.
Now, add juicy visuals to the mix and you’ve got yourself a 95-minute music video. I can only dream of what this would be like in the cinema, because a laptop is only the beginning of this movie’s potential. Kpop Demon Hunters was absolutely made for the big screen, and I’m overwhelmed trying to imagine what it’d be like to experience it on a 50-foot screen. And seeing the tiger try to correct the flower pot in HD.
Don’t get me started on the lyrics. They’re a masterclass in how words amplify storytelling and provoke emotional response. Each stanza has been engineered to immerse you in each scene, from struggle to conviction. Before I knew it, I was tearing up at a pop song about fighting demons and teamwork. Make it make sense! Too bad the tiger couldn’t sing.
Clearly, it’s a must-watch
Beyond all the gushy and fangirl-worthy moments, what I love about the movie is how genuine the story is. Kpop Demon Hunters isn’t afraid of leaning into its cliches. Because that’s what it is – a movie chock-full of tropes that never fail. That’s all it needed to be, with added bedazzling for flair.
It’s director Maggie Kang’s love letter to her Korean heritage, inspired by mythology, demonology, and Kpop. Yes, Korean culture is more than just flashy lights and good-looking idol groups. It’s also an appreciation of the country’s cultural evolution, while keeping it rooted in its origins.
I sat watching the movie with childlike wonder, allowing myself to embrace nostalgia and lean into my naivete. I didn’t hyperanalyse to guess what was coming, and instead gasped at predictable plot twists while letting my inner fangirl gawk over the outfits Huntrix was wearing. Oh yes, and squealing over the tiger and magpie every time they came on screen was mandatory. Kpop Demon Hunters may not have reinvented the genre or carried a deeper message, but it’s this simplicity that makes it loved by many.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m gonna lie down while listening to Golden. Again.
