If you’re into K-pop, this one’s worth a watch, not to mention the soundtrack slaps.

I only got into K-pop last year thanks to a 13-member boy group that completely took over my playlists and brain. Since then, I’ve learned that being a fan isn’t just about the music—it’s about the performances, the visuals, the lore, the fan service… everything. So when KPop Demon Hunters dropped on Netflix, I was curious. And well, honestly, it was a good time.

The film follows Huntrix, a trio of K-pop idols Rumi, Mira, and Zoey who perform sold-out concerts by day and slay demons by night. Their music powers a magical barrier called the Honmoon, which keeps evil spirits sealed away. But that balance is threatened when the The Saja Boys—an irresistible boy group who are demons in disguise—try to steal their fans so Gwi-ma, the evil lord, can take over their souls. From there, things escalate fast.

Zoey, Rumi, and Mira | Photos courtesy of Netflix

I’m not gonna lie, it felt a little rushed. The pacing could’ve used a few pauses to let moments sink in. But the world-building is interesting, the fight scenes are cool, and the songs are surprisingly good. “Soda Pop” is still in my head. I found myself replaying it even after the credits rolled and I’m still listening to it now as of writing.

And then there’s Jinu, the leader of The Saja Boys. Let me be honest: he’s handsome. Like, very. I’m not even mad about it. He reminded me a little too much of my bias which definitely made watching him more entertaining than it probably should’ve been. He’s got that K-drama lead energy: brooding, confident, just a little too smooth. I see what the animators were doing, and I’m not complaining.

Saja Boys, the irresistible rival boy band of demons in disguise.

What surprised me most about this movie, though, wasn’t the animation alone (which is rich and solid), or even the music (which, again, slaps) it was how it explored what it means to perform not just on stage, but in life.

WARNING: Spoilers ahead!

For context, Rumi is also part demon. Something she’s hidden even from Mira and Zoey. During a fight with Jinu and the Saja Boys, she learns his backstory: he once had a beautiful voice that lifted his family from poverty, but Gwi-Ma twisted that gift into a curse. Jinu now wants to erase his human memories to escape the guilt Gwi-Ma keeps feeding him, but to do that, he has to help destroy Huntrix.

But of course, feelings get involved. This is where it gets a little kilig. In between talks, banters and shared secrets, something shifts. Jinu isn’t really evil. He’s just tired, stuck between survival and regret. One night, while they are talking about striking a deal, Rumi promises to set him free if he helps stop the Saja Boys. Of course, for the sake of the story. plans get derailed and if you’re going against an evil lord, things will go sideways. After Rumi’s demon identity is exposed on stage, everything crashes. Mira and Zoey pull away, and she’s left questioning everything: who she is, why she was hidden, why Celine never told her the truth. That confrontation with Celine could’ve hit even harder if we got more flashbacks, maybe something about how she was born that way. But still, the emotion comes through.

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Zoey (voiced by Ji-Young Yoo), Rumi (Arden Cho ) and Mira (May Hong)

Celine defends the situation saying, “Our faults and fears must never be seen. It’s the only way to protect the Honmoon.” That line made me pause the movie because how many of us were taught the same thing? Stay strong, stay quiet, stay good so no one sees the parts that might make them love you less? But Rumi said, “If this is the Honmoon I’m supposed to protect, I’m glad it got destroyed,” she says and she means it.

But she doesn’t give up. She shows up. She sings a new song and then the crowd starts singing it back. That scene is a bit emotional. I remembered what Taylor Swift once said, that when fans sing her lyrics back to her, it feels like they know what she’s been through. That’s what that scene felt like. And as the fans sang their song back to them it helped them gain strength to finally defeat Gwi-Ma. And during the fight, Jinu sacrifices himself to protect Rumi, passing his soul to her. Together, Huntrix finally defeats Gwi-Ma and restores the (brand new) Honmoon.

In this world, the idols’ power depends on their fans’ love, but not for clout or chart rankings. They sing and perform because it literally keeps people safe. They do it to protect the fans, not just to impress them. That’s the world this story lives in. But it did make me think, what about in real life? How much does a fan’s love really affect an idol? Not in the magical-barrier kind of way, but on the daily. The pressure to stay relevant, to never mess up, to always be lovable, does that ever feel like its own kind of battle? Anyway, that’s a different, and bigger topic to talk about. We’ll save it for next time.

So, if you’re into K-pop, especially the fantasy and fandom side of things, this one’s worth a watch. Even if you’re new (like me), there’s something here to enjoy. And if your bias happens to be the brooding type with great hair and sharp cheekbones… yeah, you’ll probably like Jinu too.

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