I have always been a fan of Korean pop, also known as K-pop.

Or at least, I have been since sixth grade.

The first K-pop songs I listened to were “Butter” by BTS and “How You Like That” by BLACKPINK.

By tenth grade, I had discovered artists like TWICE, K/DA and MAVE:, along with K-pop-inspired groups like KATSEYE and W.i.S.H.

My obsession with exploring K-pop grew when I found out Netflix was releasing a film called KPop Demon Hunters directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans. It is animated by Sony Pictures Animation, the studio that also animated the hit Spider-Verse trilogy known for its comic-book-inspired animation style.

After watching the trailer on YouTube, I made a decision: no matter what happened, I would watch KPop Demon Hunters on June 20.

So, that’s what I did. On June 20 at about 5 p.m., I got a bag of microwave popcorn and watched KPop Demon Hunters in my home theater.

It is not what I expected. In a good way.

KPop Demon Hunters follows Rumi, Mira and Zoey who are a K-pop girl group called HUNTR/X that hunts demons to seal the Honmoon, a barrier created by the first hunters to stop demons from coming into the human world and stealing people’s souls to bring to their king, Gwi-Ma.

The film reveals after the first few minutes that Rumi is half-demon—born to a demon-hunting mother and a demon father—causing her to have shame over her demon heritage and hide it from Mira and Zoey. When the members of HUNTR/X encounter the Saja Boys, an instantly-successful boy band whose members are demons, they face their biggest threat. Later, Rumi meets Jinu—a member of the Saja Boys—and realizes not all demons are bad.

One of the parts of the film that sticks out to me is the multiple references to K-pop. An example of this is the scene in which HUNTR/X releases the music video for its song “Golden” feels like viewing an actual K-pop music video, with some viewers comparing the tune and visuals to the music video of “I AM” by IVE. There are also relatable moments in the film, such as when the members of HUNTR/X finish performing at a concert and Mira and Zoey are ready to relax and have a break while chanting, “Couch, couch, couch,” but Rumi has another plan and releases “Golden,” which immediately becomes a hit.

Another part of the film that sticks out to me—other than the plot—is the soundtrack. I listened to some of its songs before and after watching KPop Demon Hunters, and I enjoy songs “How It’s Done” by HUNTR/X (mostly because of its similar sound to songs by BLACKPINK), “Golden” by HUNTR/X and “Your Idol” by the Saja Boys.

On Aug. 12, “Golden” became No. 1 on Billboard’s Top 10 along with “How It’s Done,” “Soda Pop” by the Saja Boys and “Your Idol.”

Along with an enjoyable soundtrack, the animation style of KPop Demon Hunters is visually appealing—similar to the Spider-Verse films but with more 3D effects and inspiration from anime.

KPop Demon Hunters is a really good film. The visuals, animation and soundtrack are executed to near-perfection, and I await the sequel in 2027 or 2028.

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