Due to the runaway world acclaim for Netflix’s new animated movie, KPop Demon Hunters, cinemas all over the world have picked it up and are actually screening a sing-along version.
Huntr/x, the musical lady staff featured within the tale, has crowned charts international with their observe Golden.
Because the movie smashes information and captures audiences far and wide, one query lingers: what makes this animation stand proud of the remaining? A solution lies in how relatable the primary characters are.
The movie follows 3 Ok-pop lady staff contributors who use their tune and voices to give protection to the sector from demonic forces. Whilst the storyline centres at the fantastical perception of “demon hunters”, grounding the protagonists within the guise of Ok-pop idols provides on-trend authenticity. As co-director Chris Appelhans defined, the purpose used to be “making girls act like real girls, and not just pristine superheroes”.
Moderately than living only on their heroics, the movie portrays the characters’ on a regular basis moments and peculiar behaviour. Meals, garments and acquainted places in South Korea are rendered with sudden precision, to the level that even Korean audiences are astonished at their accuracy, regardless of the manufacturing being based totally in another country.
However how carefully does the movie’s model of Ok-pop mirror the true factor?
Take the primary look of Huntr/x contributors Rumi, Mira and Zoey: with most effective mins to head ahead of a efficiency, they’re proven devouring kimbap, ramen, fish desserts and snacks – gasoline for the level. In truth, idols might regularly finally end up grabbing a snappy chunk of kimbap or ramen within the automobile between packed schedules. Extra repeatedly, alternatively, strict diets are the norm. There are reviews that now and again trainees – aspiring Ok-pop idols who’re a part of an leisure corporate’s coaching programme – are even pressured to shed pounds via businesses: some of the business’s darker sides.
Mira, Rumi and Zoey devouring ramen.
©2025 Netflix
But, as idols mature, many increase their very own more healthy routines, now not merely for appears however to verify longevity of their careers.
In the meantime, with regards to boy staff Saja Boys, the movie highlights the enthusiasts’ fascination with their sculpted abs. In truth, male idols regularly put themselves via intense exercises to construct spectacular physiques, appearing off toned our bodies and six-packs on level for his or her enthusiasts.
Then there may be the query of lodging. Within the movie, Huntr/x contributors proportion a sumptuous penthouse overlooking Seoul’s skyline. In truth, businesses regularly supply dorm lodging to facilitate scheduling and teamwork, normally close to the corporate, and regularly managers are living with artists. The standard varies a great deal, with learners normally positioned in modest housing.
After debut, a success idols might improve their lodging as the cash begins to roll in, however a penthouse, as proven within the movie, is extra delusion than reality. BTS being a notable exception, progressing from sharing a transformed place of business (now not even a correct space) to considered one of Seoul’s maximum prestigious flats. Maximum idols generally tend to strike out on their very own some years after debut, balancing solo actions with private lifestyles. By means of then, their collection of house normally displays their person income.
The movie mirrors Ok-pop fact in different respects. One Huntr/x member, Zoey, is Korean-American – reflecting the business’s style because the 2000s in opposition to multinational line-ups designed to create a world target market. Blackpink, for example, comprises two Korean contributors with in another country backgrounds and one international nationwide, which has reinforced their world achieve.
The suitable tune
The movie additionally displays Zoey writing and composing songs: many idols are actually singer-songwriters. With the business not easy consistent renewal, the shelf lifetime of an “idol” may be very brief. Writing and generating tune has develop into each a option to prolong careers and safe further source of revenue streams. BTS are all credited songwriters, whilst figures akin to BigBang’s G-Dragon, Block B’s Zico, and i-dle’s Soyeon have all constructed reputations – and royalties – via their inventive paintings.
An increasing number of, even Ok-pop trainees now be informed songwriting and manufacturing ahead of their debut. Past those issues, the movie captures a large slice of Ok-pop tradition because it truly exists – from fan signal occasions to the ocean of sunshine sticks waving at live shows.
Greater than some other component, it’s the tune that provides the movie its sharpest sense of realism.
Govt tune manufacturer Ian Eisendrath teamed up with report label THEBLACKLABEL to provide Ok-pop tracks that sound correct at house within the present charts. Mixing fashionable and catchy hooks with the tale itself has drawn in now not most effective animation enthusiasts but additionally audiences lured via the tune by myself.
Co-director Maggie Kang put it it seems that in an interview: “We really wanted to immerse the world in K-pop.” On the similar time, she famous that the movie intentionally heightens sure sides of the style. That roughly exaggeration is most effective herbal in animation, the place drama is a part of the attraction. What issues is that each and every flourish continues to be grounded in truth.
For audience conversant in Korean tradition and Ok-pop, that suggests recognizing a wealth of main points that may in a different way pass omitted – and it’s this accretion of discovery that might be a few of the key components riding the recognition of KPop Demon Hunters.
