How KPop Demon Hunters became the biggest Netflix movie ever

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At long last, the K-Pop Demon Hunters have triumphed. They captivated our hearts both in their fantasy realm and reality, leading them to break records as Netflix’s most-viewed original film ever.

As a passionate viewer, I can’t help but cheer for Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans’s fantastic animated musical! It’s simply amazing to witness their masterpiece surpassing the viewership of “Red Notice” and claiming the number one spot. The action-packed comedy with Dwayne Johnson, Gal Gadot, and Ryan Reynolds has now moved down a notch, sitting comfortably in second place, just above “Carry-On,” “Don’t Look Up,” and “The Adam Project.

This summer, animation hasn’t made a significant impact on the big screen. However, KPop Demon Hunters serves as a powerful reminder of the industry’s untapped potential. It seems this could be the reason Netflix deviated from their typical strategy, choosing to release the film in select cinemas with sing-along showings. As a result, it climbed to the top spot on the US box office.

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The K-pop group Demon Hunters has garnered significant acclaim from both critics and audiences, receiving scores of 97% from official reviews and 99% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes. However, one may wonder how Rumi, Jinu, and Mira have managed to capture the hearts of so many, breaking records on screen and in music charts within a relatively short period.

Unexpectedly premiering on stage and whispers of follow-ups making waves, “KPop Demon Hunters” has undeniably ruled summer conversations, a large part due to it providing the hit tune of the season.

Actually, make that songs of the summer.

The soundtrack recently achieved a feat not seen since 1995, with three songs simultaneously ranking in the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100. Interestingly, its lead single ‘Golden’ became the first girl group track to take the top spot since Destiny’s Child’s ‘Bootylicious’ more than two decades ago.

In much the same vein as in the UK, ‘Golden’ secured the top position, marking the second time a Korean single has achieved this feat, about thirteen years following ‘Gangnam Style’ by PSY’s first accomplishment.

In the words of Huntr/x themselves, this is “how it’s done”.

Not only that, but their fierce competitors, the captivatingly alluring Saja Boys, have made a significant mark too. They became the first K-pop boyband to achieve the top spot on US Spotify with their hit song ‘Your Idol’. Additionally, other tracks from the soundtrack, which climbed up to the second position on the Billboard 200, have been making waves, including ‘Takedown’ and of course, ‘Soda Pop’.

When was the last time a Disney movie made a play for song of the summer like this?

As a devoted fan, I can confidently say that the chart success of these tracks has undeniably etched their place in our hearts forever, contributing significantly to the overall success and unforgettable impact of the movie.

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Instead of including songs merely to boost sales or as mere filler, the songs in “KPop Demon Hunters” play a crucial role within the story. Similar to classic Disney tunes, these tracks are not just additional content but serve multiple purposes – they function as a supernatural weapon for battling evil and accentuate the most poignant moments, particularly those shared by Rumi and Jinu.

In conversation with the BBC, community leader Lashai Ben Salmi elaborated: “Unlike many other animated movies which often incorporate songs as mere fillers or marketing gimmicks, the music in this production is skillfully integrated into the storyline, elevating it instead of detracting. It lends an unexpected depth to the film, hinting at a level of maturity.

It’s clear that this music showcases a level of maturity, as it surpasses the simplicity often associated with the tunes from less sophisticated productions such as a budget Disney follow-up from the ’90s VHS era.

Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, as co-directors, sought out renowned producers who had previously achieved success in the expansive K-pop industry for creating music up to fans’ high expectations. Among these experts were Teddy Park, known for his work with Blackpink and BigBang, and Grammy-winner Lindgren, who has collaborated with BTS and TWICE. Interestingly, TWICE themselves contributed significantly to the soundtrack as well.

The timing of K-Pop Demon Hunters is also important too.

In 2024, I was thrilled to learn that a staggering 16.37 million foreigners chose South Korea as their destination – marking a colossal 48.4% jump from the year before! As reported by The Straits Times, this surge in visitors suggests that the global fascination with Korean culture is stronger than ever, and it’s not just about K-pop anymore. The allure extends to the silver screen through movies and TV shows as well, demonstrating the remarkable impact of cultural exports on international interest.

KPop Demon Hunters seamlessly incorporates elements of everyday Korean life, such as the foods Huntr/x snack on during flights and notable landmarks like jjimjilbang public bathhouses and Seoul’s famous Namsan Tower.

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Delving deeper into their captivating performances, Korean folklore significantly shapes their acts. For instance, I’ve noticed their incorporation of swords and fans, reminiscent of shamanic practices, adds an intriguing layer to the group dynamic. Moreover, their use of a tiger and magpie as mascots, central figures in late Joseon era folktales, brings an endearing charm and historical significance that I find enchanting. These tales emerged during the Joseon dynasty, which spanned from 1392 to 1897, and served as a kingdom in Korean history.

The genuine quality present in everything feels sincere, transcending the tired tropes or shallow efforts aimed at exploiting what others may view as just a fleeting fashion.

As a passionate fan, I’ve come to appreciate not just the music, but also the unique culture that surrounds K-pop. This includes getting caught up in signature events, waving signature light sticks, and marveling at the synchronized dance moves – all without ever feeling talked down to or judged, which can sometimes happen when discussing fandoms more broadly.

According to music critic Kim Youngdae in a previous BBC article, animation offers an ideal platform for bridging the gap between audiences and idols, making it feel like they’re genuine figures.

Over the last two decades or so, I’ve found myself pondering K-pop’s journey to seamlessly blend into the realm of global pop culture, particularly in the U.S. and the UK. The cultural divide has often served as an obstacle. However, I’ve come to appreciate animation as a powerful tool for bridging this gap by effortlessly introducing foreign cultures to mainstream media outlets.

This distinctive perspective sets apart “KPop Demon Hunters,” making it noticeable amidst an ocean of continuous sequels and revivals. However, it retains a level of familiarity in broader topics, thus achieving the ideal blend of particularity and generality – a combination that frequently leads to success.

Despite not being acquainted with Korean culture or K-pop, the universal themes of camaraderie and self-discovery portrayed in it are still captivating. These themes resonate deeply with traditional growing-up tales, enhanced by vibrant animation, thrilling action sequences, and irresistible tunes that defined the year’s music scene.

This means that KPop Demon Hunters managed to stand out among many other original animations such as Spellbound and The Sea Beast on the same platform, which have faced difficulties. However, it’s not unexpected that Hollywood might overlook this entirely, opting instead to produce a stream of sequels or films leveraging K-pop or a Korean style.

KPop Demon Hunters distinguished itself amidst numerous original animations like Spellbound and The Sea Beast on the same platform, which have faced challenges. It’s not surprising if Hollywood disregards this, preferring to generate sequels and films inspired by K-pop or Korean aesthetics instead.

While it’s not guaranteed that a follow-up to “KPop Demon Hunters” would be unfavorable, after listening to ‘Golden’ around a thousand times, we naturally yearn for something fresh and different.

I guess we can only cross our fingers that the genuine takeaway for Hollywood from these events is a focus on creating fresh and daring concepts within animated franchises, as opposed to sequels like “Minions 15” or similar ideas they might concoct.

KPop Demon Hunters is available to watch now on Netflix.

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2025-08-26 22:50