When Netflix released a humble, animated movie about a trio of singing demon hunters, no one suspected that it would “Takedown” any competition in its path. Released on June 20, “K-Pop Demon Hunters” was perfectly timed to be the movie of the summer, but it didn’t gain widespread popularity until later. Netflix Original Movies often follow a trend, debuting in the Top 10 in the US for a week or two before falling into obscurity; “K-Pop Demon Hunters” took the opposite path. The movie wasn’t well-watched in the first few weeks, but was later discovered and drew interest from groups of every age. Because the film is exclusive to Netflix, only those with access to the streaming service could watch it, likely a reason why it took its time gaining popularity.
The movie also had many doubters when first released; some believing it was too childish or others cautious about the authenticity of the Korean pop songs depicted in the film. Even others might have felt the plot was too weird or out of the box. The film follows a young trio of girls who form the K-Pop group, Huntr/x. The twist: their band is a cover for their real mission: to rid the world of demons forever. The trio consists of Rumi, the leader, Mira, the choreographer, and Zoey, the vocalist. The power of their voices brings fans together and builds connection, creating a shield called the Honmoon, which protects the world from demons. In the film, Rumi, Mira and Zoey aim to create what’s called the Golden Honmoon, an impenetrable protection that will drive demons away for good, sealing them in the underworld. Of course, the movie wouldn’t be successful without conflict. To counter the power of Huntr/x’s music, the demon king sends a K-Pop boy band of his own to overpower Huntr/x and steal their fans.
Not only does it have a sophisticated plot with multiple twists and nuances, “K-Pop Demon Hunters” comes with a killer soundtrack. The music is, by far, one of the biggest reasons for its popularity. Fans of the movie can’t stop listening to hits like “Golden” and “Soda Pop.” The soundtrack reached the number one spot on the Billboard 200 list, making it the seventh animated film soundtrack to ever reach that height. You could even say the soundtrack is “goin’ up, up up.”
In fact, the movie and its music were so popular that Netflix released a sing-along version of the film, which premiered in theaters for one weekend only in August. This weekend was estimated to have made over 16 million dollars in the U.S. as crowds lined up to get tickets and fill seats in theaters.
“K-Pop Demon Hunters” solidified its reign when it became the most watched movie on Netflix ever in mid-September. This feat marks the impact of the film in the entertainment industry and in this time period. Fans of all ages, but especially young people, have fallen in love with the film. The movie has brought people together across America, as well as internationally. It represents a mix of cultures due to its blend of K-Pop music and culture with American animation and style. Without a doubt, “K-Pop Demon Hunters” has cemented its legacy for this generation and will continue to inspire and influence viewers in the future.
