Rumi (Arden Cho), Mira (May Hong), and Zoey (Ji-young Yoo) are the stars of Huntrix, a wildly popular Korean girl group. Fans around the world adore them. Their songs, style, and energy can easily light up every stage.
But behind all the fame and glamor, the world doesn’t know their biggest secret.
They’re not just pop stars. They’re demon hunters.
For a long time, demons have roamed the Earth. They hide in the shadows and steal souls to feed their king, Gwi-Ma (Byung-hun Lee). Rumi, Mira, and Zoey were born with voices that carry a special power. When they sing, their music fills people with hope and courage. And when people are feeling fulfilled, the energy they give strengthens an ancient force called the Honmoon.
The Honmoon is what protects the world from Gwi-Ma’s evil. The more people believe in Huntrix and feel inspired by their songs, the stronger the Honmoon becomes. If enough hearts are awakened, they can create the Golden Honmoon, a shield so powerful that no darkness can break through it.
Meanwhile, in the demon world, Gwi-Ma is growing restless. His attacks have all failed and Huntrix is stronger than ever. That’s when a clever demon named Jinu (Ahn Hyo-seop) comes up with a new idea. Instead of fighting the group directly, why not destroy their fanbase?
Jinu believes that if people stop listening, the Honmoon will grow weak. Perhaps, it will fade away.
As pressure builds for Huntrix to unlock the Golden Honmoon, Rumi faces a personal struggle. She is hiding a terrible secret to her group.
Rumi is part demon.
Every day, it gets harder to keep the truth from Mira and Zoey. She’s afraid that if they find out, it will break their bond and weaken the group’s power.
Rumi’s fear grows as Gwi-Ma and Jinu draw closer to victory. If she loses her friends’ trust, Huntrix might fall apart. And if they do, the world could fall with them.
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KPop Demon Hunter sounds like the kind of movie you'd expect to be a low-effort, throwaway film, something Netflix made just to entertain a small group of fans. But surprisingly, this movie goes deeper than expected. It hits hard on a lot of aspects from animation to themes even if it doesn't need to be.
First off, this film was made by the same creative team behind Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. So if you're worried about the animation quality, don't be. The team clearly knows what they're doing and they've mastered that low frame-rate, stylized animation that gives the film a unique visual identity. The art style sometimes feels like it is inspired by Turning Red. But that’s okay! The style gives the movie a vibrant personality. It also fits perfectly, especially considering the film’s focus on Asian representation and Korean pop culture.
Story-wise, the first act feels pretty generic for an animated action movie. It's a ghost-hunting setup mixed with pop idols, a kind of Ghostbusters-meets-K-pop concept. It’s light, accessible, and will likely appeal to younger audiences. A closer look at it and you will see that it’s not that shallow after all. It actually offers compelling commentary on the K-pop industry and fandom. There are subtle but pointed messages about how idols often hide their true selves for the sake of public image, and how some fans can become obsessive, almost losing their mind to blind devotion. But, at the same time, the movie also highlights the positive power of K-pop. Music connects people, inspires creativity, and builds community.
I think KPop Demon Hunter found its heart when the protagonist learns that she is not so different from the demons she is trying to hunt. This twist brings out the film’s deeper themes about identity and self-acceptance. It explores how people struggle with their own darkness, and how friendship and art can be powerful tools for healing. This shift gives the story an unexpected emotional depth and weight, and it makes the whole film meaningful to watch.
It might sound heavy with the way I explained it, but KPop Demon Hunter is just a light and fun movie to consume. The action scenes are energetic and stylish. The voice performances are lively. And the music? Catchy! Just listen to Soda Pop! I liked that the songs aren’t just there for filler as well, as they actually carry the narrative forward.
KPop Demon Hunter might not be as revolutionary as Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, but it doesn’t try to be. What it offers instead is a well-crafted, visually rich, and emotionally engaging story that surprises you with its heart. I liked it. It’s fun, meaningful, and easy to love.
4/5
