[Netflix Photo. Photo Credit to Pixabay] 

KPop Demon Hunters, the animated fantasy series by Netflix, has reached the top 10 in 93 countries and received more than 33 million views since its release on June 20, 2025. 

The film’s soundtrack has also made its debut on the Billboard Hot 100, causing a global and sensational influence across the global music scene. 

What’s driving its remarkable success?

Industry observers point first to the soundtrack, which has played a vital role in propelling the film to international acclaim.

The songs feature performances by prominent K-Pop artists, including members of Twice, and were produced by Teddy Park, who is well known in the K-Pop field.

Tracks like “Soda Pop” by the Saja Boys have become viral on social media due to their  addictive and catchy rhythms and choreography.

Moreover, the genuine and beautiful voices of the singers have truly touched audiences’ hearts, introducing them to K-Pop culture.

The film has also received praise for acknowledging and implying K-Pop culture, featuring scenes where K-Pop idols appear in concerts and their fans hold light sticks to cheer them. 

Moreover, the animation has effectively captured other aspects of Korean culture, such as architecture and food as well. 

The main characters eat Korean food, especially ramen, and display a humorously natural characteristic of Koreans — they do not wait for the ramen to cool and instead just stuff it into their mouths.

This eating habit reflects Koreans’ tendency to always be fast and efficient, revealing Korean culture in a humorous and easily accessible way. 

The costumes of the Saja Boys also reveal Korean culture as they wear a traditional Korean hat called a “gat” and traditional Korean clothing. 

The weapons that the main characters use to fight off the demons are inspired by traditional Korean weaponry. 

Wielding the“saingeom,” “gokdo,” and “sinkal” respectively as their signature weapons, the main characters show true courage by fighting off the demons without showing fear. 

These features all promote Korean culture and naturally integrate it into the story as well. 

The director, Maggie Kang claims that the team "went to folk villages; we looked at what the bricks look like and how the streets are designed in Myeongdong. We took pictures because capturing the feeling is so important."

Through this animation, more people are now able to enjoy and appreciate Korean culture. 

The story itself also contributes to the film’s fame and popularity. 

The main characters sing to fight off demons and become ‘demon hunters’, with the united support and love of their fans helping to impede demons from entering the world. 

However, they confront a challenge when the Saja Boys appear and they work for the demons, attempting to entice the fans and exploit their love for personal gain rather than saving the world.

The film has been praised by the New York Times for constructing “an original universe that is charming, funny and artfully punchy.”

The story delivers a heartwarming message to its audiences, delivering the importance of accepting one’s identity even during hard challenges where one questions themselves.

Through watching this film, viewers can find both comfort and laughter.

With K-Pop culture combined with a heartwarming coming-of-age story, the animation has received global praise and popularity.