When I first started hearing about K-Pop Demon Hunters on Netflix, I just sort of rolled my eyes and moved on. Then I spent a night camping in an Airstream with my nephew’s two little girls (ages 6-1/2 and 4). They are, of course, obsessed with it, and I love them, so I agreed to watch it with them.
Much to my chagrin, I absolutely loved it (I think my exact response was “Why is this so GOOD though?”), and those songs were stuck in my head for days after. And I went down the YouTube rabbit hole, watching every video I could find that was related to K-Pop Demon Hunters.
I’m a horror gal, but I am also a musical theater nerd (and I love Hallmark Christmas movies, which is a whole other issue), so I started trying to break down my fascination with this animated movie. And I know I’m not alone, by the way – kids and adults alike have been captivated by it.
K-Pop Demon Hunters is presented in clean, sharp anime style, with realistic concert sequences, high quality voice acting and those awesome songs. But, it can definitely be considered gateway horror for kids.
The movie introduces us to Hunter/x, a band comprised of three women named Rumi, Zoey and Mira. Pop stars on the surface, they also use their vocal talents (and fighting prowess) to imprison demons who would otherwise steal human souls to feed to their demon master Gwi-ma. Hunter/x’s music forms a magical barrier known as the Honmoon, which protects humans.
While the demons are not really all that terrifying looking, they do change abruptly from human form to scary-looking creatures. So, while they aren’t horrifying to adults, they are just scary enough for kids.
Rumi, as it turns out, is half-demon herself, as evidenced by “patterns” - markings that appear on her body. She has kept this fact from her band mates/besties because she is afraid they will turn on her if she finds out.
Gwi-ma creates a boy band called the Saja Boys, led by former human Jinu to steal Hunter/x’s fans, thereby weakening the Honmoon. And the plan works well until Rumi and Jinu start to like each other. He even encourages her to accept her half-demon side and be honest with her friends about it. But everything blows up at a music competition between Hunter/x and the Saja Boys.
While the demon and fantasy elements of the story give K-Pop Demon Hunters that mild horror feel, the movie always focuses on self-acceptance and empowerment, including embracing the parts of yourself that may embarrass you or make you feel ashamed. There is absolutely nothing wrong with teaching that lesson to kids – while also giving them a few mild scares along the way (when the Saja Boys perform Your Idol as their demon selves, it is decidedly creepy).
K-Pop Demon Hunters has been a huge hit for Netflix, with the song Golden hitting number one on the Billboard music charts. There is reportedly at least one sequel in the works.