K-Pop Demon Hunters (dirs. Chris Appelhans and Maggie Kang)
Certificate: PG
Running Time: 95 mins
UK Distributor: Netflix
UK Release Date: 20 June 2025
WHO’S IN K-POP DEMON HUNTERS?
Arden Cho, May Hong, Ji-young Yoo, Ahn Hyo-seop, Yunjin Kim, Joel Kim Booster, Liza Koshy, Daniel Dae Kim, Ken Jeong, Byung-hun Lee
WHO’S BEHIND THE CAMERA?
Chris Appelhans and Maggie Kang (directors, writers), Danya Jiminez and Hannah McMechan (writers), Aron Warner and Michelle Wong (producers), Marcelo Zarvos (composer), Nathan Schauf (editor)
WHAT’S IT ABOUT?
A popular K-Pop girl band moonlights as a trio of demon hunters…
WHAT ARE MY THOUGHTS ON K-POP DEMON HUNTERS?
A title like K-Pop Demon Hunters sounds like something only the executives in The Studio could come up with. You can practically hear Seth Rogen and pals coming up with numerous ludicrous pitches to capitalise on the very real popularity of K-Pop – which, for the two of you who may be unfamiliar, is the term which describes pop music originating from South Korea – and the one where they’re also battling evil demons is the one that happened to win the meeting.
Of course, while that may just be a show, albeit a highly satirical one that’s reportedly closer to the reality of Hollywood that we’d ever care to admit, it’s not that difficult to imagine Sony Pictures head honcho Tom Rothman and those in charge of the animation branch of that studio doing pretty much the same thing when coming up with a film like this. But whether it was born out of a genuine passion for the idea or just to bank off this legitimate music phenomenon with that ridiculous title, K-Pop Demon Hunters emerges as a vivid and entertaining experience that is visually dazzling and, in a few cases, a solid argument for K-Pop’s existence to the uninitiated.
The premise is that, for centuries, the world has been protected from soul-sucking demons by a trio of warriors who use the power of music to form a powerful shield known as the Honmoon, and the latest in a long line of designated protectors are Rumi (Arden Cho), Mira (May Hong) and Zoey (Ji-young Yoo). Together, they form Huntrix, an incredibly popular K-Pop band who, when they aren’t selling out concerts and coming up with serious bops, are slaying the many demons who have seeped in from the other side of the Honmoon and are targeting their beloved fans. The group is in the process of launching a song designed to seal the Honmoon for good, but things become complicated when Jinu (Ahn Hyo-seop), a demon with a troubled mortal past, arrives on the scene with fellow demons to form the one true threat to Huntrix: a rival boy band with looks and charm to make the BTS boys look like washed-up has-beens. Now, it’s not just a battle of the bands, but it’s also a battle for the general survival of the world that Huntrix has sworn to protect.
I should state upfront before this review continues: I really don’t know anything about K-Pop. Sure, I just made a reference to BTS, but their popularity is so widespread that I reckon even hermits who have freed themselves of all possessions and modern technology would know who BTS are. The point is, my knowledge of the wider world of K-Pop is superficial at best, but that shouldn’t matter before watching this film since it manages to work as a straightforward narrative that utilises the appeal of this subculture to create something flashy, bouncy and all around unexpected. Directors and co-writers Chris Appelhans and Maggie Kang bring a burst of energy and sincerity to a story that, despite hitting more than a few familiar beats, manages to keep itself focused on many of the appropriate elements, including the characters who are charming and carry arcs that add real dramatic weight to what could have easily been a standard tale of good versus evil. And, of course, there are some seriously catchy songs on the soundtrack which, especially if you’ve never gotten into K-Pop before, enliven an already popping atmosphere.
Said environment is brought to life by some fantastic animation, which certainly adopts the slowed-down frame rate approach of the Spider-Verse films (also made by Sony Pictures Animation) but constantly adds more and more of its own style that separates it just enough from the world of Miles Morales. There’s a significant anime influence in many of the character designs, including a supporting three-eyed bird and giant cat creature that feel plucked from the vaults of Studio Ghibli, as well as in numerous facial expressions which are like something you’d watch from a traditionally 2D Japanese cartoon, and are often hilarious from the sheer speed of which they’re executed. With hardly a dull shot in sight, K-Pop Demon Hunters is always striking to look at, filled with so much colour and eccentricity that you can almost find yourself getting lost in such a viscerally crafted animated environment.
While the overall film is a lively and impressively realised watch, there are parts where you often feel as though it too is being a bit superficial with its own storytelling. Some of the biggest plot points, many of which revolve around the nature of one of the leads, lack the drive to go much deeper into some of the complexities surrounding them, which in turn leaves them less developed than they perhaps appear to be. It also has some rather uninteresting villains, particularly the big bad who’s literally nothing more than a big shouting ball of flame with Byung-hun Lee’s voice, further sullying the film’s intended message of looking past the binary nature of good and evil. It’s also the kind of film that, without too much detail, features a climax that relies heavily on the power of song to save the day, which is already a cheesy notion but made more so in a sequence so specifically tailored for this type of ending that it almost seems too perfectly manufactured for the moment.
While not everything about it comes together, K-Pop Demon Hunters is a fun and beautifully rendered ride that offers exactly what it says on the tin, with the real surprise being how, in spite of its very silly title and even sillier concept, it just about works for anyone, even those who know little or nothing at all about K-Pop.
SO, TO SUM UP…
K-Pop Demon Hunters overcomes its silly and slightly superficial premise with a fun and engaging energy that’s brought to life by beautifully designed animation, charming characters and some truly catchy K-Pop bangers.
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I LOVED THIS MOVIEEE!!! I hate how he died at the end tho 😭BUT with that being said I love the songs and music and really think they should make a new one with the guy with black hair comes back for her! Mainly bc he made the cat and bird soooo if he really did die shouldn’t they have died to? So I believe there should be a part three or even a series! This i beyond good I love it!