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BBC News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
KPop Demon Hunters: Fictional K-pop sensations score hit film and album
A new animated musical has become hugely popular with both movie audiences and K-pop Demon Hunters, produced by Sony Pictures Animation, is currently the most streamed movie on Netflix globally, clocking up more than 33 million views in just two film's soundtrack shot into the top 10 of the Billboard 200 in the US, making it the highest debut for a soundtrack so far this a track by the film's fictional girl group Huntr/x hit number three on Spotify in the US, equalling Blackpink's Shut Down and Sour Candy as the highest-charting female K-pop group. KPop Demon Hunters follows the adventures of superstar band Huntr/ three members of the all-female group - Rumi, Mira, and Zoey - are secretly "badass demon hunters" who protect their legions of fans from supernatural Huntr/x concerts, their music is used to protect the human world from the forces of rival band the Saja Boys, who are demons in disguise, are their arch Abbs, Romance, Baby, and Mystery have been sent by demon king Gwi-ma to steal the souls of Huntr/x's Demon Hunters was directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans and was based on a story by Ms Saja Boys are now the highest charting male K-pop group in US Spotify history, after their song Your Idol reached number two, surpassing Dynamite by success should perhaps not be too surprising as top producers including Teddy Park, who has worked with Blackpink, and BTS-collaborator Lindgren were part of the team that created the album. The huge success of KPop Demon Hunters comes as South Korean mega-stars BTS are set to make their highly-anticipated seven-strong group announced this week that it will head to the US this month to start working on new band is due to release a new album and go on tour next year after all of its members completed their mandatory military Blackpink is set to start its first all-stadium world tour on 5 band, which has not released an album together since 2022's Born Pink, is due to reveal a new song at the start of the Deadline World Tour.
The Review Geek
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Review Geek
KPop Demon Hunters (2025) Movie Review – A funny and energetic animated musical for everyone
A funny and energetic animated musical for everyone In KPop Demon Hunters, the latest Netflix original animation, demons invade our world to eat our souls, and our only salvation is girl groups! A trio of girls has to fight the creatures with songs, strengthening the barrier that protects Earth from the beasts. After a long time, Mira, Zoey, and their leader, Rumi, can finally complete this barrier, bringing peace to their world. If this sounds too serious, don't worry, as the movie perfectly balances its drama and cartoonishness. You can see that by the main antagonist, a demonic, evil boy band stealing their fans. However, they have one more problem: Rumi is half-demon, but none of the other girls know. That adds intensity to her, as strengthening the barrier isn't only a duty to the girl but a necessity. At the same time, it highlights her sacrifices. That part of her presents itself through marks on her body, meaning she has to give up on a few things. Skipping going to public baths with her friends or never being truly comfortable around them is a bigger and more relatable loss than the end of the world. Someone must give this movie an award for its soundtrack because every song here is a banger. From 'How it's Done' to Twice's 'Takedown,' all of them intensify the moment they're played in. So, 'Golden,' an inspirational song about fulfilling their dreams, becomes ten times more heartbreaking when we find out Rumi's secret. Their work on 'Golden' is astounding, as they even have an MV that feels like an actual official music video. Netflix would be crazy if they didn't release that on YouTube. The fight scenes are incredibly well-animated and fluid, but they pop even harder with the right soundtrack. It's hard to stay still in your chair watching them when you feel you're in the girl's latest show at all times. However, one song choice is a fatal mistake, and right at the end of the movie. In the final battle, 'What It Sounds Like' fails to match the epic atmosphere of the confrontation. Even though its lyrics are great, encapsulating Rumi's journey, its rhythm isn't as energetic as necessary. The song is good, but it doesn't hold a candle to the others, and it comes at the wrong time. But that's only a small part of the film's biggest problem. Throughout the story, we follow Rumi as she loses her connection with her friends and gets closer to the leader of the demonic boy band. But when that development reaches the climactic point, the next thing we know, it's all solved. We're left with a hollow, rushed ending, stripped of almost all emotions. It's a shame because KPop Demon Hunters could have been even greater with 10 more minutes or so. Rumi's demonic side is a smart detail, so seeing her deal with it properly would elevate the story. We get to see her talk about it with her mentor, the only other person who knows her secret, but it's only a fast interaction. Still, there's one thing that works incredibly well even in the ending, and that is the animation. It's simply stunning. The lights and colors fit that world so much that it's hard to imagine the movie with a different aesthetic. Beyond that, it's very creative. Like the Teen Titans cartoon did back in the 2000s, it emulates Far East anime aesthetics without abandoning its own style. The crazy visuals and expressions will get you laughing out loud when you least expect it. And sometimes, when you fully expect it, too. The K-pop culture is in full play in the movie. We see signing events, ships, boy bands participating in weird TV programs to showcase their songs, and so on. The first contact we have with the main girls is through their fans saying what they love about each of them. And the funniest joke of them all is when the movie satirizes the 'meet-cute,' so popular in K-dramas, between Rumi and another singer. But that goes deeper into the movie's message. Rumi also has a troubled relationship with her demonic side because she must present herself perfectly at all times. She has been taught that if she shows any kind of flaw, it's all done for her. That definitely hits close to home for K-pop idols, as they have to do the same to please their fans. In an industry that puts them on extremely high pedestals, minor and humane flaws can spark giant backlashes online. Fans might love you now but hate you the next day because of your appearance, dating choices, and even acting 'too normally.' One such example is when rumors about BTS' Jungkook dating sparked hashtags saying he betrayed the fans. In a way, Rumi's dilemma criticizes this idealized view of artists that the industry and the fans create. KPop Demon Hunters is both ridiculous and as deep as it needs to be. Despite its short runtime damaging the conclusion, it's still one of the best-animated flicks of 2025 so far. The fun characters and animation won't leave your head so soon. And neither will its songs leave your playlist. Read More: KPop Demon Hunters Ending Explained
