KPop Demon Hunters

Released on Netflix on June 20, 2025, *KPop Demon Hunters* is an animated musical fantasy produced by Sony Pictures Animation and directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans. Its premise turns the public performances of a Korean pop trio into a supernatural defense: Rumi, Mira, and Zoey perform as HUNTR/X while secretly hunting demons. The group's singing helps sustain the Honmoon, a magical barrier that keeps demons from entering the human world. Their goal is to strengthen it into the Golden Honmoon, a permanent seal. Arden Cho, May Hong, and Ji-young Yoo voice Rumi, Mira, and Zoey, respectively.

Gwi-Ma threatens that plan by backing the Saja Boys, a rival boy band whose members are demons disguised as idols. Their leader, Jinu, courts Rumi while competing for the fans whose devotion HUNTR/X needs to maintain the barrier. Ahn Hyo-seop voices Jinu, and Lee Byung-hun voices Gwi-Ma. Jinu's history gives the conflict a personal edge: he was once human and surrendered his soul to Gwi-Ma in exchange for success as a singer. Rumi also conceals a dangerous truth from her bandmates: she is part demon, and the markings on her skin expose the identity she fears they will reject.

The film makes its musical performances central to the action, rather than treating them as interruptions. HUNTR/X opens with “How It's Done,” while “Golden” expresses Rumi's hope that a flawless performance can complete the barrier. The Saja Boys counter with “Soda Pop” and “Your Idol,” songs used to lure away HUNTR/X's audience. “What It Sounds Like” accompanies the climactic confrontation as Rumi stops hiding her demon heritage. The speaking cast and singing cast are not identical: singer EJAE performs Rumi's songs, with Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami singing for Mira and Zoey. EJAE also cowrote “Golden,” one of the film's original songs.

Rumi's relationship with Jinu complicates the rivalry between idol groups: both carry shame, but they respond to it differently. Jinu ultimately protects Rumi at the cost of his own life. Rather than making Rumi erase her demon side, the ending has her acknowledge it to Mira and Zoey. Their reunion allows HUNTR/X to confront Gwi-Ma together. The result ties the film's supernatural mechanism directly to its pop music: voices and the bond between performers and fans shape the Honmoon. Kang has described the project as drawing on Korean culture and mythology, and the film's idol setting makes that influence visible throughout.