It is the most-watched animated film of all time on Netflix. KPop Demon Hunters, produced by US studio Sony Pictures Animation, has shattered all records since its release on June 20. The action is set in Seoul, the capital of South Korea. The soundtrack? K-pop. The plot follows a fictional girl group, Huntr/x (pronounced “Huntrix”), made up of three superheroines leading a double life as demon hunters. Their rivals, the Saja Boys, are demons disguised as K-pop stars working for the evil Gwi-ma, who threatens to steal the souls of their fans.
While children are watching the movie repeatedly, it is above all the soundtrack that has won over every generation. It has amassed more than 3 billion streams worldwide, making it one of the summer’s musical hits. Its standout track, “Golden,” topped both the US and UK charts, even surpassing the songs of BTS and the 2012 hit “Gangnam Style” by Psy.
“The film resonated with K-pop fans but also reached newcomers,” said cultural critic Ha Jae-keun. Thanks to its intergenerational appeal, many parents developed a passion for K-pop, further fueling interest in Korean pop culture and expanding a fanbase that had previously consisted mostly of teenagers and young women.
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