Why 'K-Pop Demon Hunters' works so well
If you've watched K-Pop Demon Hunters recently, there's a likely chance that you're either listening to it right now, or possibly humming its soundtrack. If you haven't watched it yet, take a break and go watch before reading because I'm not necessarily talking about major spoilers but... You should go watch it!
Released June 20, produced by Sony Pictures Animation and airing on Netflix, K-Pop Demon Hunters (aka KPDH) has become one of the biggest films of the summer, topping Netflix charts, and its soundtrack similarly has toppped music charts. Considering how much apprehension there was to the concept when it was announced a few years ago, and how K-pop is often depicted in American-produced media, it's a phenomenal coup.
K-Pop Demon Hunters specifically emphasizes that the power of music and the fans that love it are literal powers that can protect or destroy.
As per a press release from Republic Records, the song's from the film – stylized in all-caps, with no hyphen between the "K" and "POP" for the soundtrack and other promo purposes despite there being one in the film's art – have become one of the biggest hits of the year: it's the top soundtrack debut of 2025 across various streaming charts, topped various charts, and landed at No. 3 on this week's Billboard 200 chart after debuting at no. 8 previously.
Songs from the film, namely "Your Idol" by the demonic Saja Boys and "Golden" by the heroic Huntr/x (also confusingly written without the "/" for DSPs, but "Huntrix" for subtitles), broke records for anything associated with K-pop, and promo for the film has promoted them both as if they were actual K-pop groups. It feels very reminiscent of K/DA's success with Pop/Stars back in 2018, as a faux K-pop act blended with actual artists (idle's Soyeon and Miyeon).
I've frequently heard, and agreed with, that the soundtrack of K-Pop Demon Hunters, is some of the most fun music associated with K-pop in 2025. That's not to say that there haven't been good K-pop releases this year, but K-pop in 2025 has a lot to prove in the second half of the year after a pretty just-okay first half of the year, in my humble opinion.
Although it shouldn't be such a surprise: K-Pop Demon Hunters was created by producers and performers who work within K-pop, and the film was clearly created by people who love K-pop, animated musical films, and fantasy worldbuilding. Everything about it comes off as a labor of love.
From the same press release:
"The soundtrack features original songs written by, Danny Chung, IDO, Vince, KUSH, EJAE, Jenna Andrews, Stephen Kirk, Lindgren, Mark Sonnenblick, Daniel Rojas, and produced by Teddy Park, 24, IDO, DOMINSUK, Jenna Andrews, Stephen Kirk, Lindgren, Ian Eisendrath. Original songs are performed by EJAE, Audrey Nuna, REI AMI, Andrew Choi, Danny Chung, Kevin Woo, samUIL Lee, Neckwav, and Lea Salonga. The soundtrack also includes the original song 'Takedown' featuring Jeongyeon, Jihyo, and Chaeyoung from K-pop powerhouse girl group, TWICE."
There are K-pop producers (pretty much every single songwriter and performer on it has written many K-pop hits, and there's a sizable THEBLACKLABEL presence) and artists (TWICE and Kevin Woo of UKISS, appearing as one of the Saja Boys) appearing on it, bringing a sense of audible authenticity to the soundtrack.
The songs were produced with a sense of what makes an addicting K-pop song and performed with the hearts of the characters in mind, and are all bilingual, just like most K-pop songs are. There's a tendency towards English, given that that's the language the film predominantly operates in, but even that's realistic.
I think this overwhelming love of K-pop is one major part of why KPDH is such a success, despite not necessarily being K-pop: it's a moment of where imitation truly is the highest form of flattery, because every moment of the film that revolves around K-pop feels like it's respectfully laughing at K-pop and the absurdity of some aspects of K-pop idoldom... because K-pop is meant to be fun AND good. That's why we love it. There's also a sense of intensity about it, and the film understands that too, with KPDH specifically emphasizes that the power of music and the fans that love it are literal powers that can protect or destroy. It feels extremely true-to-life, considering how so many fans turn to K-pop for entertainment and emotional support.
The film was clearly created by people who love K-pop, animated musical films, and fantasy worldbuilding. Everything about it comes off as a labor of love.
There's some playful poking at K-pop, and there are definite moments that feel like they touch on criticism surrounding food, the clothes girl groups wear ("the leather betrayed us" during a variety show), and just generally the whole film is a metaphor of how the industry can literally be life or death for its stars. There's a sense of how intense the whims of the audience is, and how a career feels like it could be over in a moment.
But it never feels like film that ends up "Dark Side of K-pop" stereotyping, because it's so clear that this is all a feel-good movie inspired by K-pop and all its glory, but that doesn't mean it has to shy away from some of those topics. I did stumble upon a subreddit where people were tearing the film apart for being too unrealistic when it came to discussing K-pop, and I couldn't help and laugh because this is first and foremost a children's fantasy film. (Although I do think the comment about "Free Range K-pop" would make a grand alternative band name.)
That brings me to the second reason KPDH works so well: this is an animated film that understands the art and heart of musicals in a way I think at least one magic mouse production house maybe has forgotten. There's such a classic sense of musical storytelling, it's almost like it's a common sructure or something. It's literally from start to finish a very classic hero's journey story, but retold in a way that feels very fresh, with laugh-out-loud moments mixed in with the heartfelt ones.
It's tethered very strongly to a specific pop culture entity (K-pop) and place (Seoul), and identity (Korean and Korean American), but the story it tells is a universal one. It's very much like K-pop in that way; accessible while still having its own particular sonic identity.
There's the boisterous opening ("How It's Done") , there's the comedic lighthearted moment to get the plot really rolling (the boy band bubblegum "Soda Pop"), the protagonistic "I want" anthem ("Golden"), the villain's dramatic plot ("Your Idol"), the romantic duet ("Free", which for some reason keeps reminding me of "A Whole New World" from Aladdin) , and the triumphant finale song ("What It Sounds Like"). There's also Twice and EXO songs featured ("Strategy" and "Love Me Right), and a Melomance inclusion that had me laughing for its homage to K-dramas. (Jokers' 70's "Path" also adds a sense of nostalgia to the soundtrack upon each listen, though I don't actually recall its placement in the movie?)
It's an animated musical where every song works, which feels like a rare thing nowadays, and is good for both K-pop fans and not: right before I began writing this, I read an article from Screencrush featuring a writer's child saying that they didn't even know K-pop was a thing, but they love the movie. That accessibility is probably one of the biggest things that have made KPDH's soundtrack such a success: Kids are one of the most reliable hitmakers. At the moment, the only one of YouTube's top 5 most-viewed videos that isn't "Baby Shark" or Cocomelon is "Despacito."
I saw a lot of people questioning how Saja Boys and Huntrix could outsell "other" K-pop groups* and get higher on charts and the answer is... kids are listening to this, and casual musical listeners are listening to it. This is not just a K-pop movie, it's an animated musical with a PG rating. I would definitely show this to my 6-year-old nieces, and am honestly a bit mad at my siblings for not letting me do it this weekend (because they wanted them to play outside which... fair.)
The third thing that I think makes K-Pop Demon Hunters work so well is the world building. I remember years ago when it was first announced that someone working on it either responded to a tweet of mine about it or tweeted on their own that it was like if Blackpink, Sailor Moon, and Buffy had a child. I don't use X anymore, and I can't find the tweet, so maybe I imagined it, but it still feels accurate: it was a feel-good girl power flick with funny one-liners and moments of heart, but also the feeling that just by watching it you and I could do anything if we support each other.
There was such a glorious sense of magic from the worldbuilding alone, with the magic and eternal battle between good and evil uniquely defined by Korea's myths and lore, but again being so universal: everyone loves a story where good triumphs over the demons plaguing the heroes, but now they're also looking up facets of Korean legends and folklore. I saw so many people online discussing how Huntrixs' powers tie to traditional Korean shamanism, which incorporates singing and dancing, and it just felt like such a moment of "ah yes, this is what a good, impactful movie does to people: makes you curious, and engaged, and addicted."
These are just my quick thoughts about why I think K-Pop Demon Hunters was such a success, but there's surely a lot of other reasons. I think it ultimately comes down to it being a great film with absolutely wonderful music, made with love and appreciation for the inspiration.
That's it from me about KPDH. I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comment as well.
*Post-publication edit: I didn't actually even discuss if I think Huntrix and Saja Boys count as idol groups, whoops! Long story short, no but film and TV characters have often produced major hits, so it doesn't invalidate the success but I feel like dubbing them as "first K-pop groups" to do something is a bit unfair to actual K-pop acts. These are different sorts of industries and metrics.
Before I leave you, here are 10 (spoiler-y) thoughts I had while watching K-pop Demon Hunters, some of which I discussed earlier:
- How did Celine find the other girls? I need the prequel.
- Is Rumi responsible for her mother's death, and who is her father? I need the sequel.
- This whole thing is such a great metaphor for fandom and K-pop, with the idols' voices and personas giving something to fans (in this case protection, but you often hear fans saying things like joy, hope, or inspiration, or even motivation to live) and yet there is a cost to it all. I really enjoyed Kpopcast discussing this.
- Do Rumi's patterns represent the shame of being biracial in South Korea, or generally someone who passes in any society when being mixed race or culture? (According to the creators, yes, but also refers to things like queer identity, addiction, and really any shame you hide from those around you, which is heartbreaking.)
- Who are the stylists who never noticed Rumi's patterns? Does she have her own special one who is in the know? Is anyone they work with in the know?
- Do Hunters get magic nail art changes along with their clothing changes?
- Do Sailor Moon and other magical girls exist in this universe, even just as fictional characters? Mira's hair feels like a nod to Usagi's.
- Did SM have a meeting the day after the film came about about figuring out who agreed to sync "Love Me Right" to the actual film but not the currently most-streamed soundtrack of the year?
- Did they modulate Ejae's voice differently depending on the point of the patterns for Rumi between the start and end of the movie? I need to listen with better speakers.
- Where can I get a tiger mailman of my own with its own magpie?
