[Netflix Dark Mode 3D icon concept. Photo Credit: Unsplash]

KPop Demon Hunters premiered on Netflix on June 20, 2025, and quickly became one of the most talked-about releases of the year.

The animated musical blends K-pop idol culture, Korean folklore, and fantasy action, bridging traditional stories and modern pop culture in a way rarely seen on screen and marking a milestone for Korean cultural representation in global animation.

The film follows Huntr/x, a fictional girl group that secretly fights demons while rising to global stardom, using music as both performance and ritual.

Directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans and produced by Sony Pictures Animation, the project pairs authentic Korean elements with a global animation style.

Kang, who was born in Seoul and raised in Toronto, has said she had always wanted to make an animated movie set in Korea that showcased its culture and mythology.

“I worried a lot about what Koreans would think about this movie, if I was representing our culture correctly, whether I was the right person to make this kind of movie. So to see all this love for the film … I couldn’t be more thankful,” she said in a behind-the-scenes interview.

Cultural details appear throughout the film, from traditional weapons to everyday life in Seoul.

In one dining scene, characters place tissues under their spoons while eating gukbap, a familiar etiquette detail to Korean audiences. 

Other background visuals like celebrity photo walls, floor seating, and illegally parked cars in narrow alleyways reflect everyday scenes from Korean life.

Food also plays a central role in the film’s cultural identity. 

Director Kang banned any mention of kimchi in the film, instead highlighting dishes like naengmyeon, seolleongtang, and kimbap to better represent the variety of Korean cuisine.

“I never want anybody to say the word ‘kimchi’ or to feature it, because it’s just such a clichéd thing to talk about kimchi like that is the one representative thing for Koreans,” she explained in an interview.

Music played a major role in the production’s success.

The soundtrack includes original songs by TWICE members Jeongyeon, Jihyo, and Chaeyoung, with “Takedown” becoming a standout track.

Huntr/x’s lead single, “Golden,” debuted at number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 with 18.8 million U.S. streams and later climbed to number 4.

The full soundtrack entered the Billboard 200 at number 8 and rose to number 3, topping the Billboard Soundtracks chart.

All eight original songs from the film charted on the Hot 100, a rare accomplishment for an animated project.

“Golden” was also submitted for Best Original Song at the 2026 Academy Awards.

Executive music producer Ian Eisendrath said the goal wasn’t to imitate K-pop but to create songs that could genuinely connect with fans.

He revealed in an interview that “This was a film that was made by Korean hit-makers, and the song couldn’t be our approximation of the K-pop hit — it actually had to be one.”

By its fifth week, KPop Demon Hunters had surpassed 106 million hours viewed and entered Netflix’s all-time Top 10 for English-language animated titles.

Plans for a sequel, live-action adaptation, merchandise, and global events are already under discussion.

KPop Demon Hunters has not only topped charts but also redefined what K-pop storytelling can be in the digital age.

By blending myth, music, and modern identity, it proves that animation can be just as powerful as the stage.