# KPop Demon Hunters > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/KPop_Demon_Hunters > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/KPop_Demon_Hunters.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KPop_Demon_Hunters > Source revision: 1356948231 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|2025 Sony Pictures Animation film}} {{Featured article}} {{protection padlock|small=yes}} {{Use American English|date=March 2026}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2026}} {{Infobox film | image = KPDHposter.jpeg | caption = Official release poster | alt = On a platform, the members of Huntrix (from left to right: Mira, Rumi, and Zoey) stand on a stage, dressed as demon hunters and holding combat weapons. A large digital banner appears behind them, showing them in their normal outfits promoting the band's world tour. Under the platform they stand on, demons are held back by the Honmoon. The skyline of Seoul, including the N Seoul Tower, is seen in the background. | director = {{Plainlist| * [Maggie Kang](/source/Maggie_Kang) * [Chris Appelhans](/source/Chris_Appelhans) }} | screenplay = {{Plainlist| * Danya Jimenez * Hannah McMechan * Maggie Kang * Chris Appelhans }} | story = Maggie Kang | producer = Michelle Wong | starring = {{Plainlist| * [Arden Cho](/source/Arden_Cho) * [Ahn Hyo-seop](/source/Ahn_Hyo-seop) * [May Hong](/source/May_Hong) * [Ji-young Yoo](/source/Ji-young_Yoo) * [Yunjin Kim](/source/Yunjin_Kim) * [Daniel Dae Kim](/source/Daniel_Dae_Kim) * [Ken Jeong](/source/Ken_Jeong) * [Lee Byung-hun](/source/Lee_Byung-hun) }} | cinematography = Gary H. Lee{{Cite web |title=KPop Demon Hunters - Full Cast & Crew |url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/kpop-demon-hunters/cast/2060189166 |website=[TV Guide](/source/TV_Guide) |access-date=December 8, 2025 |archive-date=December 8, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251208232421/https://www.tvguide.com/movies/kpop-demon-hunters/cast/2060189166/ |url-status=live}} | editing = Nathan Schauf{{Cite web |title=Nathan Schauf |url=https://www.sonypicturesanimation.com/our-team/artists/nathan-schauf |website=[Sony Pictures Animation](/source/Sony_Pictures_Animation) |quote=Nathan Schauf is a lead editor at Sony Pictures Animation, most recently working on the studio's highly anticipated feature film 'KPop Demon Hunters.' |access-date=June 16, 2025 |archive-date=July 2, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250702061624/https://www.sonypicturesanimation.com/our-team/artists/nathan-schauf |url-status=live}} | music = [Marcelo Zarvos](/source/Marcelo_Zarvos) | studio = [Sony Pictures Animation](/source/Sony_Pictures_Animation) | distributor = [Netflix](/source/Netflix) | released = {{Film date|2025|6|20}} | runtime = 95 minutes{{Cite web |title=''KPop Demon Hunters'' (2025) |url=https://www.fandango.com/kpop-demon-hunters-2025-241022/movie-overview |website=[Fandango](/source/Fandango_(website)) |language=en |date=June 20, 2025 |access-date=June 20, 2025 |archive-date=July 21, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250721094057/https://www.fandango.com/kpop-demon-hunters-2025-241022/movie-overview |url-status=live}} | country = United States | language = English | budget = $100 million+ | gross = $24.7 million{{Cite Box Office Mojo |id=14205554 |access-date=January 29, 2026}} }} '''''KPop Demon Hunters''''' is a 2025 American animated musical [urban fantasy](/source/urban_fantasy) film{{Cite news |url=https://biz.chosun.com/culture/culture_general/2025/07/06/7RI6PBGKHJDXHFDUY6TN5P6DUY/ |title=[kontencheupick] sesang guharyeomyeon seuseuroreul meonjeo guhara…yeonghwa 'keipap demon heonteoseu' |script-title=ko:[콘텐츠Pick] 세상 구하려면 스스로를 먼저 구하라...영화 '케이팝 데몬 헌터스' |trans-title=[Content Pick] To Save the World, Save Yourself First{{nbsp}}... the Movie ''KPop Demon Hunters'' |last=Kim |first=Jeong-eon |newspaper=[ChosunBiz](/source/ChosunBiz) |date=July 11, 2025 |access-date=March 26, 2025 |archive-date=July 9, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250709121647/https://biz.chosun.com/culture/culture_general/2025/07/06/7RI6PBGKHJDXHFDUY6TN5P6DUY/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |date=September 17, 2025 |title=New 'KPop Demon Hunters' Film Reportedly Rated and Ready for Release |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2567338/new-kpop-demon-hunters-film-reportedly-rated-and-ready-for-release |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251101010615/https://tribune.com.pk/story/2567338/new-kpop-demon-hunters-film-reportedly-rated-and-ready-for-release |archive-date=November 1, 2025 |access-date=November 1, 2025 |newspaper=[The Express Tribune](/source/The_Express_Tribune)}} co-written and directed by [Maggie Kang](/source/Maggie_Kang) and [Chris Appelhans](/source/Chris_Appelhans). It was produced by [Sony Pictures Animation](/source/Sony_Pictures_Animation) for [Netflix](/source/Netflix) and stars the voices of [Arden Cho](/source/Arden_Cho), [Ahn Hyo-seop](/source/Ahn_Hyo-seop), [May Hong](/source/May_Hong), [Ji-young Yoo](/source/Ji-young_Yoo), [Yunjin Kim](/source/Yunjin_Kim), [Daniel Dae Kim](/source/Daniel_Dae_Kim), [Ken Jeong](/source/Ken_Jeong), and [Lee Byung-hun](/source/Lee_Byung-hun). The story follows a [K-pop](/source/K-pop) girl group, Huntrix,{{efn|Pronounced {{IPAc-en|ˈ|h|ʌ|n|t|ɹ|ɪ|k|s}} {{respell|HUN|triks}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/movies/why-kpop-demon-hunters-is-the-pop-culture-event-of-the-summer/ |title=Why 'KPop Demon Hunters' Is the Pop-Culture Event of the Summer |last1=Pasia |first1=Nicole |last2=Angela |first2=Lim |newspaper=[The Seattle Times](/source/The_Seattle_Times) |date=July 15, 2025 |access-date=August 2, 2025 |archive-date=July 21, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250721162354/https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/movies/why-kpop-demon-hunters-is-the-pop-culture-event-of-the-summer/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last=Branigin |first=Anne |date=August 13, 2025 |title=Fictional K-pop Trio Hits No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/2025/08/13/kpop-demon-hunters-golden-billboard-one/ |url-access=registration |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250814155114/https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/2025/08/13/kpop-demon-hunters-golden-billboard-one/ |archive-date=August 14, 2025 |access-date=August 13, 2025 |newspaper=[The Washington Post](/source/The_Washington_Post) |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286 }} and stylized in [all caps](/source/all_caps) as "HUNTR/X".}} who lead double lives as [demon hunter](/source/demon_hunter)s. They face off against a rival [boy band](/source/boy_band), the Saja Boys, whose members are secretly [demon](/source/demon)s. ''KPop Demon Hunters'' originated from Kang's desire to create a story inspired by her [Korean heritage](/source/Koreans), drawing on elements of [mythology](/source/Korean_mythology), [demonology](/source/demonology), and K-pop to craft a visually distinct and culturally rooted film. Production had begun by March 2021. The look of the film was influenced by concert lighting, editorial photography, music videos, and [anime](/source/anime) and [Korean drama](/source/Korean_drama)s. [The soundtrack](/source/KPop_Demon_Hunters_(soundtrack)) includes original songs by several musicians and a score by [Marcelo Zarvos](/source/Marcelo_Zarvos). ''KPop Demon Hunters'' began streaming on Netflix on June 20, 2025, and by year's end became the [most-watched original title in Netflix history](/source/List_of_most-watched_Netflix_original_programming) with over 500 million views. A [sing-along](/source/sing-along) version had [limited theatrical release](/source/limited_theatrical_release)s on August 23–24 and October 31–November 2. Its theatrical release was the widest by number of theaters for a Netflix film, and the first to top the box office in the United States. The soundtrack was the first film soundtrack to have four songs in the top ten of the [''Billboard'' Hot 100](/source/Billboard_Hot_100) simultaneously, and was certified [double platinum](/source/double_platinum) in the US in October 2025. ''KPop Demon Hunters'' received acclaim for its animation, visual style, voice acting, story, and music. The recipient of [many accolades](/source/List_of_accolades_received_by_KPop_Demon_Hunters), it won Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song ("[Golden](/source/Golden_(Huntrix_song))") at the [83rd Golden Globe Awards](/source/83rd_Golden_Globe_Awards) and the [98th Academy Awards](/source/98th_Academy_Awards), and won multiple awards at the [53rd Annie Awards](/source/53rd_Annie_Awards). A sequel is in development. ==Plot== Long ago, [demons](/source/Dokkaebi) preyed on humans, feeding their drained souls to their ruler Gwi-Ma. Eventually, three women became [demon hunter](/source/demon_hunter)s and used their singing voices to create a magical barrier against demons called the Honmoon.{{efn|{{Korean|혼문|魂門}}; {{lit|spirit gate|lk=yes}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.inews24.com/view/1896197 |script-title=ko:'케데헌, 핼러윈 혼문 "똑똑{{" '}}...전 세계 인기 코스튬 순위 '싹쓸이' |title='kedeheon, haelleowin honmun "ttogttog{{" '}}...jeon segye ingi koseutyum sun-wi 'ssagsseul-i' |trans-title='KDH, Halloween Honmoon "Knock Knock{{" '}}{{nbsp}}... Sweeping the Global Costume Rankings |last=Seol |first=Rae-on |website=iNews24 |language=ko |date=October 16, 2025 |access-date=December 10, 2025 |archive-date=January 29, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260129143448/https://www.inews24.com/view/1896197 |url-status=live}}}} As time passed, new trios of hunters emerged to maintain the Honmoon, with the ultimate goal of strengthening it into the Golden Honmoon—a final seal that would permanently banish demons. In the present, the [K-pop](/source/K-pop) girl group Huntrix—composed of Rumi, Mira, and Zoey—are the latest demon-hunting trio. Rumi is secretly half-demon, a fact known only to her and Celine, a former hunter who raised Rumi. Disquieted by the demonic patterns gradually spreading across her skin, Rumi pushes forward the release and live performance of Huntrix's new single, "[Golden](/source/Golden_(Huntrix_song))", hoping it will turn the Honmoon gold and thereby erase her patterns. However, as they prepare for the performance, Rumi begins to lose her voice. In the demon world, Gwi-Ma grows enraged at his minions' failures. Led by Jinu, a human-turned-demon, five demons form a boy band called the Saja Boys to steal Huntrix's fans and weaken the Honmoon, in exchange for Gwi-Ma promising to erase Jinu's painful human memories. Watching [their debut](/source/Soda_Pop_(song)), Huntrix quickly discover the Saja Boys' demonic nature and later attack them. As they fight, Jinu discovers Rumi's patterns, but helps hide them from her bandmates. Meeting privately, Jinu tells Rumi that feelings of shame enslave demons through voices from Gwi-Ma. He shares with her that 400 years prior, Gwi-Ma granted him fame and recognition that helped his family emerge from poverty, but then condemned him to the demon world; Jinu now lives with guilt over his family's downfall. As the Saja Boys grow more popular, the Honmoon is weakened, allowing more demon attacks to occur. With the Idol Awards approaching, Huntrix rush to produce a new song, "[Takedown](/source/Takedown_(song))", to expose the Saja Boys. Rumi's discomfort with the song's harsh, demon-hating lyrics strains her relationship with Mira and Zoey. Rumi proposes a plan to Jinu: if he helps Huntrix win the Idol Awards and strengthen the Honmoon, he could freely stay in the human world. Later, Rumi tells Jinu that her shame about her demon heritage weakened her voice, but talking with him healed it. Jinu says that he no longer hears voices, thanks likewise to Rumi, and agrees to sabotage the Saja Boys. Gwi-Ma summons Jinu, reminds him of the truth that he abandoned his family for a life of wealth and comfort, then threatens to amplify the tormenting voices if he reneges on their deal. At the Idol Awards, Huntrix perform "Golden", having chosen to shelve "Takedown" due to the contention it caused between them. However, impostor demons sent by Jinu lure Mira and Zoey away from Rumi, while two other demons impersonate them to trick Rumi into performing "Takedown", during which they reveal her demon patterns. She flees the stage and runs into the real Mira and Zoey, who feel betrayed upon learning of her hiding her demon nature and collusion with Jinu from them. Rumi confronts Jinu for tricking her, and he admits to lying about his past. Gwi-Ma, strengthened by the influx of consumed souls and decaying Honmoon, enters the human world and casts a trance over the public, including Mira and Zoey, drawing them to the Saja Boys' performance set to feed him more souls. A desperate Rumi meets with Celine and asks her to end her life. Celine refuses and discusses plans to restore the previous status quo. Rumi lashes out at Celine for never fully loving her and repudiates the now-destroyed Honmoon before abruptly leaving. Rumi interrupts [the Saja Boys' performance](/source/Your_Idol) with [an improvised song](/source/What_It_Sounds_Like) addressing her shame and self-acceptance, which breaks Mira and Zoey out of Gwi-Ma's trance. Reunited, Huntrix fight back and free the crowd. A repentant Jinu sacrifices himself to save Rumi from an attack by Gwi-Ma, giving his restored soul to reinforce her; the empowered Huntrix defeat Gwi-Ma and the remaining Saja Boys, resealing the demons and creating a new rainbow Honmoon. No longer ashamed of her patterns, Rumi celebrates with Mira and Zoey. Afterwards, they meet their fans in public. ==Voice cast== {{cast listing| * [Arden Cho](/source/Arden_Cho) as Rumi, the [lead vocalist](/source/lead_vocalist) and leader of Huntrix, who wields a {{lang|ko-latn|[saingeom](/source/saingeom)}} sword in combat. Rumi is the daughter of a demon father and a deceased demon hunter mother.{{Cite news |url=https://altselection.ouest-france.fr/glossaire-complet-des-termes-et-mythologies-coreennes-de-kpop-demon-hunters-explique/ |title=Glossaire Complet des Termes et Mythologies Coréennes de ''« Kpop Demon Hunters »'' Expliqué |trans-title=Complete Glossary of Korean Terms and Mythologies from ''KPop Demon Hunters'' Explained |author=Myriam |work=[K-Sélection](/source/Ouest-France) |language=fr |date=July 3, 2025 |access-date=July 22, 2025 |archive-date=August 3, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250803120614/https://altselection.ouest-france.fr/glossaire-complet-des-termes-et-mythologies-coreennes-de-kpop-demon-hunters-explique/ |url-status=live}} ** [Ejae](/source/Ejae) provides Rumi's singing voice. ** Rumi Oak as young Rumi. * [May Hong](/source/May_Hong) as Mira, the main dancer of Huntrix,{{Cite magazine |last=Bose |first=Pallabi |title=Meet the Cast of ''KPop Demon Hunters'': The Voice Actors and Singers Behind the Animated Hit |url=https://www.prestigeonline.com/hk/lifestyle/culture-plus-entertainment/meet-the-cast-of-kpop-demon-hunters-voice-actors-and-singers/ |magazine=[Prestige Hong Kong](/source/Prestige_Hong_Kong) |date=July 1, 2025 |access-date=July 28, 2025 |archive-date=July 1, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250701180628/https://www.prestigeonline.com/hk/lifestyle/culture-plus-entertainment/meet-the-cast-of-kpop-demon-hunters-voice-actors-and-singers/ |url-status=live}} who wields a {{lang|ko-latn|gokdo}} [polearm](/source/polearm) in combat. She comes from a wealthy background and is considered the black sheep of her family due to her rebellious nature. ** [Audrey Nuna](/source/Audrey_Nuna) provides Mira's singing voice. * [Ji-young Yoo](/source/Ji-young_Yoo) as Zoey, the main rapper and lyricist of Huntrix, and the group's {{lang|ko-latn|[maknae](/source/maknae)}}. She wields {{lang|ko-latn|[shinkal](/source/Mengdu)}} throwing knives in combat. Zoey is [Korean American](/source/Korean_American) and was raised in [Burbank](/source/Burbank%2C_California).{{Cite web |url=https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/kpop-demon-hunters-cast |title=''KPop Demon Hunters'': Meet the Killer Voice Cast of the Animated Film |last=Hatchett |first=Keisha |website=[Tudum](/source/Tudum_(website)) |publisher=[Netflix](/source/Netflix) |date=June 19, 2025 |access-date=July 28, 2025 |archive-date=June 19, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250619204647/https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/kpop-demon-hunters-cast |url-status=live}} ** [Rei Ami](/source/Rei_Ami) provides Zoey's singing voice. * [Ahn Hyo-seop](/source/Ahn_Hyo-seop) as Jinu, leader of the Saja Boys and Rumi's love interest. He is accompanied by a [blue pet tiger and a six-eyed magpie](/source/Minhwa). ** [Andrew Choi](/source/Andrew_Choi) provides Jinu's singing voice. * [Yunjin Kim](/source/Yunjin_Kim) as Celine, a former demon hunter and K-pop idol who fostered Rumi following her mother's death. ** [Lea Salonga](/source/Lea_Salonga) provides Celine's singing voice.{{cite web |last=Isaac |first=Raymund |title=Lea Salonga Credited in Netflix's 'KPop Demon Hunters' as Singing Voice of Celine |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/showbiz/chikaminute/950471/lea-salonga-credited-in-netflix-s-kpop-demon-hunters-as-singing-voice-of-celine/story/ |website=[GMA News](/source/GMA_News) |date=June 22, 2025 |access-date=July 27, 2025 |archive-date=July 29, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250729182624/https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/showbiz/chikaminute/950471/lea-salonga-credited-in-netflix-s-kpop-demon-hunters-as-singing-voice-of-celine/story/ |url-status=live}} * [Joel Kim Booster](/source/Joel_Kim_Booster) as Romance Saja ** Samuil Lee provides Romance Saja's singing voice. * [Alan Lee](/source/Alan_Lee_(voice_actor)) as Mystery Saja ** [Kevin Woo](/source/Kevin_Woo) provides Mystery Saja's singing voice. * [SungWon Cho](/source/SungWon_Cho) as Abby Saja{{Cite magazine |last=DeGrushe |first=Allison |title='KPop Demon Hunters' Cast and Character Guide: Meet the Voice Actors Bringing the Singers and Demons to Life |url=https://ew.com/kpop-demon-hunters-cast-and-character-guide-11768433 |magazine=[Entertainment Weekly](/source/Entertainment_Weekly) |language=en |date=July 9, 2025 |access-date=July 29, 2025 |archive-date=July 23, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250723134154/https://ew.com/kpop-demon-hunters-cast-and-character-guide-11768433 |url-status=live}}{{efn|name=Abby|Also referred to as Abs Saja.{{Cite web |author=Cho, SungWon [@prozdishere.bsky.social] |author-link=SungWon Cho |date=June 20, 2025 |url=https://bsky.app/profile/prozdishere.bsky.social/post/3ls2k2todi22e |title=I voice Abs Saja (Yes That's His Name) of the Saja Boys in KPop Demon Hunters, the Movie Is Out Now On @netflix.com, This Was a Lot of Fun to Work on and the Animation Looks Absolutely Gorgeous |work=Bluesky Social |via=[Bluesky](/source/Bluesky) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250708145204/https://bsky.app/profile/prozdishere.bsky.social/post/3ls2k2todi22e |archive-date=July 8, 2025 |url-status=live}}}} ** Neckwav provides Abby Saja's singing voice. * Danny Chung as Baby Saja * [Daniel Dae Kim](/source/Daniel_Dae_Kim) as Healer Han, an eccentric doctor. * [Ken Jeong](/source/Ken_Jeong) as Bobby, the energetic agent and manager of Huntrix. * [Lee Byung-hun](/source/Lee_Byung-hun) as Gwi-Ma, the king of demons, who takes the form of a giant fiery mouth. Lee reprises the role in the Korean dub of the film.{{Cite web |url=https://isplus.com/article/view/isp202506200022 |script-title=ko:이병헌, 메인 빌런으로 변신...애니 '케이팝 데몬 헌터스' 더빙 참여 |title=ibyeongheon, mein billeon-eulo byeonsin...aeni ''keipab demon heonteoseu'' deobing cham-yeo |trans-title=Lee Byung-hun Transforms into the Main Villain{{nbsp}}... Participates in Dubbing for the Animation ''KPop Demon Hunters'' |language=ko |last=Yu |first=Ji-hee |website=[Ilgan Sports](/source/Ilgan_Sports) |date=June 20, 2025 |access-date=July 23, 2025 |archive-date=July 24, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250724203839/https://isplus.com/article/view/isp202506200022 |url-status=bot: unknown }}{{Cite news |url=https://www.dispatch.co.kr/2326871 |script-title=ko:이병헌, '귀마'의 목소리..."영어 더빙, 어려웠지만" (케데헌) |title=ibyeongheon, 'gwima'ui mogsoli..."yeong-eo deobing, eolyeowossjiman" (kedeheon) |trans-title=Lee Byung-hun, the Voice of 'Gwi-Ma'{{nbsp}}... "English dubbing was tough" (''KDH'') |last=Park |first=Soo-yeon |work={{Ill|Dispatch (South Korea) |lt=Dispatch|ko|디스패치 (대한민국)}} |date=July 3, 2025 |access-date=July 23, 2025 |archive-date=July 3, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250703161610/https://www.dispatch.co.kr/2326871 |url-status=live}} }} [Liza Koshy](/source/Liza_Koshy) voices a television host who interviews Huntrix. [Maggie Kang](/source/Maggie_Kang), Nathan Schauf, and Charlene Ramos provide additional voices.{{Cite web |last=Dubey |first=Nivedita |title=''KPop Demon Hunters'' Complete Voice Cast |url=https://www.nerdveda.com/kpop-demon-hunters-cast-guide/ |website=Nerdveda |date=June 19, 2025 |access-date=September 4, 2025 |archive-date=September 5, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250905021710/https://www.nerdveda.com/kpop-demon-hunters-cast-guide/ |url-status=live}} ==Production== ===Development=== [[File:Maggie Kang2.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.8|Creator and co-director [Maggie Kang](/source/Maggie_Kang) at the [30th Busan International Film Festival](/source/30th_Busan_International_Film_Festival)|alt=Maggie Kang directly facing the camera while seated at a table]] Director [Maggie Kang](/source/Maggie_Kang) first pitched the idea that eventually became ''KPop Demon Hunters'' to film producer [Aron Warner](/source/Aron_Warner) in 2018, while he was working on ''[Wish Dragon](/source/Wish_Dragon)'' (2021) for [Sony Pictures Animation](/source/Sony_Pictures_Animation).{{Cite news |last=Kim |first=Regina |date=July 21, 2025 |title='KPop Demon Hunters' Took 7 Years to Make but a Lifetime of Experience |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/21/movies/kpop-demon-hunters-directors.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250721103536/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/21/movies/kpop-demon-hunters-directors.html |archive-date=July 21, 2025 |access-date=August 11, 2025 |work=[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times) |language=en}} Development on the film began that same year,{{Cite magazine |title=Maggie Kang On Why Paying Homage To Her Roots Was Important In Making 'KPop Demon Hunters': "I Wanted Every Part Of This Movie To Be Korean" |url=https://deadline.com/2026/05/maggie-kang-interview-kpop-demon-hunters-1236882980/ |last=Lodderhose |first=Diana |magazine=[Deadline Hollywood](/source/Deadline_Hollywood) |date=May 17, 2026 |access-date=May 19, 2026 |archive-date=May 18, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260518021627/https://deadline.com/2026/05/maggie-kang-interview-kpop-demon-hunters-1236882980/ |url-status=live}} and on March 8, 2021, Sony publicly announced the film, under the working title ''K-Pop: Demon Hunters''. Kang and [Chris Appelhans](/source/Chris_Appelhans) would direct from a script by Hannah McMechan and Danya Jimenez, and Warner and Michelle L. M. Wong would serve as producers.{{cite magazine |url=https://variety.com/2021/film/news/k-pop-demon-hunters-girl-group-animated-movie-sony-1234924941/ |title=Animated Musical About Demon Hunting K-Pop Girl Group in the Works at Sony (Exclusive) |first=Matt |last=Donnelly |magazine=[Variety](/source/Variety_(magazine)) |date=March 8, 2021 |access-date=March 15, 2021 |archive-date=September 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905210414/https://variety.com/2021/film/news/k-pop-demon-hunters-girl-group-animated-movie-sony-1234924941/ |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.varietyinsight.com/production_restart_full_view.php?track_id=188786 |title=Film and TV Projects Going Into Production – K-Pop: Demon Hunters |website=[Variety Insight](/source/Variety_Insight) |access-date=March 15, 2021 |archive-date=March 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210315063926/https://www.varietyinsight.com/production_restart_full_view.php?track_id=188786 |url-status=dead}}{{cite magazine |title=Three Producers Pull Back the Curtain on the Work They Did to Earn the Producers Mark |url=https://producersguild.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/On-the-Mark-Michelle-Wong-Andrew-Lazar-Kristin-Burr.pdf |magazine=On The Mark |publisher=[Producers Guild of America](/source/Producers_Guild_of_America) |pages=36–37 |date=May 2025 |archive-date=August 2, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250802191346/https://producersguild.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/On-the-Mark-Michelle-Wong-Andrew-Lazar-Kristin-Burr.pdf |url-status=live}} Mingjue Helen Chen and Ami Thompson were announced as production designer and art director, respectively. To distinguish its visual style from contemporary animated features, Kang based the film on Korean mythology and shamanism.{{cite magazine |last1=Gaur |first1=Ryan |date=June 13, 2025 |title=The Directors of 'KPop: Demon Hunters' Take Us Backstage of Their Netflix/Sony Showstopper |url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/2025/06/the-directors-of-kpop-demon-hunters-take-us-backstage-of-their-netflix-sony-showstopper/ |access-date=June 17, 2025 |magazine=[Animation Magazine](/source/Animation_Magazine) |archive-date=June 17, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250617181527/https://www.animationmagazine.net/2025/06/the-directors-of-kpop-demon-hunters-take-us-backstage-of-their-netflix-sony-showstopper/ |url-status=live}} She called the film her "love letter to K-pop" and to her Korean background. Kang explained that when developing the history of the demon hunters, they decided to play into [Korean shamanism](/source/Korean_shamanism), and specifically the historical usage of song and dance as part of the rituals of Korean [shaman women](/source/Mu_(shaman)).{{Cite web |last=Hullender |first=Tatiana |date=June 20, 2025 |title=KPop Demon Hunters Creators Tease Potential Sequel & Cast Reveal Their K-pop Biases |url=https://screenrant.com/kpop-demon-hunters-show-bias-explained-arden-cho-maggie-kang-cast-crew-interview/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250726220750/https://screenrant.com/kpop-demon-hunters-show-bias-explained-arden-cho-maggie-kang-cast-crew-interview/ |archive-date=July 26, 2025 |access-date=June 24, 2025 |website=[Screen Rant](/source/Screen_Rant) |language=en}} On character design, Kang said she wanted to differentiate the main characters from "Marvel female superheroes that were just sexy and cool and badass" and instead combine those elements with "girls who had potbellies and burped and were crass and silly and fun".{{cite magazine |last1=Romano |first1=Nick |title=KPop Demon Hunters Trailer Reveals a Fiend-Fighting Girl Group in Pop-Powered Animated Musical (Exclusive) |url=https://ew.com/kpop-demon-hunters-trailer-exclusive-11739009 |magazine=[Entertainment Weekly](/source/Entertainment_Weekly) |publisher=[Dotdash Meredith](/source/Dotdash_Meredith) |date=May 22, 2025 |access-date=June 17, 2025 |archive-date=July 25, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250725073609/https://ew.com/kpop-demon-hunters-trailer-exclusive-11739009 |url-status=live}} She was also influenced by the films of [Bong Joon Ho](/source/Bong_Joon_Ho), which she said would combine multiple tones in a way that evokes animation. She and Appelhans cited Bong's monster movie ''[The Host](/source/The_Host_(2006_film))'' (2006) as an inspiration for blending genres and moods.{{Cite web |last=Opie |first=David |date=September 22, 2025 |title='KPop Demon Hunters' Director Maggie Kang on How Bong-Joon-ho Inspired the Netflix Hit |url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/kpop-demon-hunters-director-maggie-kang-on-how-bong-joon-ho-inspired-the-netflix-hit/5209154.article |access-date=October 5, 2025 |website=[Screen International](/source/Screen_International) |language=en |archive-date=October 2, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251002034329/https://www.screendaily.com/news/kpop-demon-hunters-director-maggie-kang-on-how-bong-joon-ho-inspired-the-netflix-hit/5209154.article |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=October 4, 2025 |title='We All Have Inner Demons': Why KPop Demon Hunters Resonates Globally |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/korean/we-all-have-inner-demons-why-kpop-demon-hunters-resonates-globally-10287399/ |access-date=October 5, 2025 |website=[The Indian Express](/source/The_Indian_Express) |language=en |archive-date=October 5, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251005053132/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/korean/we-all-have-inner-demons-why-kpop-demon-hunters-resonates-globally-10287399/ |url-access=subscription}} Appelhans had planned to take a long break after directing ''Wish Dragon,'' but came on board after Kang told him her initial ideas. He said that he "always wanted to do a film about the power of music—to unite, bring joy, build community". McMechan and Jimenez were approached to write by [Nicole Perlman](/source/Nicole_Perlman); McMechan told ''[Variety](/source/Variety_(magazine))'' that though the two "had never done animation before, and we didn't know anything about K-pop", they were "exactly what [co-director] Maggie [Kang] had been looking for, with our friendship and us being young girls".{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.aol.com/articles/variety-screenwriters-watch-2025-scribes-160500855.html |title=Variety's Screenwriters to Watch for 2025 Include Scribes Behind 'Ma 2,' 'Supergirl' and 'KPop Demon Hunters' |magazine=[Variety](/source/Variety_(magazine)) |via=[AOL.com](/source/AOL.com) |date=October 1, 2025 |access-date=October 3, 2025 |archive-date=October 4, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251004040549/https://www.aol.com/articles/variety-screenwriters-watch-2025-scribes-160500855.html |url-status=live}} ===Character design=== {{Multiple image | align = right | direction = horizontal | total_width = 300 | perrow = 2 | image1 = 2ne1 - 5739353704.jpg | alt1 = | caption1 = | image2 = Blackpink Pink Carpet Event 1.jpg | alt2 = 2NE1 smiling for the camera | caption2 = | image3 = Twice - Dickies Arena, 2022 (cropped).jpg | alt3 = | caption3 = | image4 = ITZY K-POP Debut SHOWCASE (cropped).jpg | alt4 = | caption4 = | footer = The members of Huntrix were inspired by various [K-pop girl groups](/source/List_of_South_Korean_girl_groups), including 2NE1, Blackpink, Itzy and Twice (''clockwise''). }} The name ''Huntrix'' [portmanteau](/source/portmanteau)s ''hunter'' with the Latin feminine [agent noun](/source/agent_noun) suffix ''-trix'', to evoke the idea of [women warriors](/source/Women_warriors_in_literature_and_culture).{{Cite AV media |title=[Full] Exclusive BTS talk w/ KPop Demon Hunters Maggie Kang & Ahn Hyo-seop [Eng Sub] |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SdTOHd_Ei4 |website=Netflix K-Content |publisher=[Netflix](/source/Netflix) |via=[YouTube](/source/YouTube) |language=ko |date=September 13, 2025 |access-date=October 5, 2025}} The three members of Huntrix were modeled after K-pop girl groups like [Itzy](/source/Itzy), [Blackpink](/source/Blackpink), [Twice](/source/Twice), and [2NE1](/source/2NE1).{{cite web |last1=Bell |first1=Crystal |title=How 'K-pop Demon Hunters' Became a Love Letter to K-pop and Its Fandom |url=https://mashable.com/article/k-pop-demon-hunters-maggie-kang-chris-appelhans-interview |website=[Mashable](/source/Mashable) |language=en |date=July 9, 2025 |access-date=July 9, 2025 |archive-date=July 16, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250716005735/https://mashable.com/article/k-pop-demon-hunters-maggie-kang-chris-appelhans-interview |url-status=live}} The fashion and makeup of the characters took inspiration from [Givenchy](/source/Givenchy), [Jean Paul Gaultier](/source/Jean_Paul_Gaultier), and [Alexander McQueen](/source/Alexander_McQueen), with a focus on "infusing Korean traditional elements with ''[haute couture](/source/haute_couture)''".{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/07/movies/kpop-demon-hunters-actors-directors-music.html |last=Ryzik |first=Melena |title='KPop Demon Hunters' Oral History: The Making of a Smash |date=January 7, 2025 |access-date=January 11, 2026 |newspaper=[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times) |archive-date=January 8, 2026 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20260108151117/https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/07/movies/kpop-demon-hunters-actors-directors-music.html |url-status=live}} The character of Rumi was created in 2016 by Kang and her husband, [Radford Sechrist](/source/Radford_Sechrist), for Sechrist's comic ''Plastic Walrus;'' Kang repurposed it for ''KPop Demon Hunters''.{{Cite web |last=Byrne |first=Suzy |title=Hairstyle of the Summer: How 'KPop Demon Hunters' Sparked a Beauty Craze |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/article/hairstyle-of-the-summer-how-kpop-demon-hunters-sparked-a-beauty-craze-130530885.html |website=Yahoo Entertainment |language=en-US |date=August 21, 2025 |access-date=October 19, 2025 |archive-date=August 22, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250822044323/https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/article/hairstyle-of-the-summer-how-kpop-demon-hunters-sparked-a-beauty-craze-130530885.html |url-status=live}} The character of Mira was inspired by Korean model Ahn So Yeon (professionally known as [Ellis Ahn](/source/List_of_Vogue_Korea_cover_models)).{{cite news |last=Kim |first=Na-yeon |script-title=ko:'케이팝 데몬 헌터스' 감독 '사자보이즈 진우, 차은우에 영감받아' |title='keipab demon heonteoseu' gamdog 'sajaboijeu jin-u, cha-eun-ue yeong-gambad-a' |trans-title='Kpop Demon Hunters' Director: 'Saja Boys' Jinu inspired by Cha Eun-woo' |language=ko |url=https://m.entertain.naver.com/home/article/108/0003340549 |work=Star News |via=[Naver](/source/Naver) |date=June 23, 2025 |access-date=June 23, 2025 |archive-date=July 2, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250702054407/https://m.entertain.naver.com/home/article/108/0003340549 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last=Enriquez |first=Em |title=Meet The Real-Life Korean Idols Who Inspired 'KPop Demon Hunters' |url=https://www.cosmo.ph/kloka/kpop-demon-hunters-kpop-idols-inspiration-src-preview-a4958-20250626-dyn |work=Cosmopolitan |date=June 26, 2025 |access-date=November 13, 2025 |archive-date=June 27, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250627031621/https://www.cosmo.ph/kloka/kpop-demon-hunters-kpop-idols-inspiration-src-preview-a4958-20250626-dyn |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |script-title=ko:'케데헌 미라 모티브' 안소연, 설현·정소민과 한솥밥 |title='kedeheon mila motibeu' ansoyeon, seolhyeon·jeongsomingwa hansotbab |trans-title='KDH Mira Inspiration' Ahn So-yeon Under the Same Roof as Seolhyun and Jung So-min |url=https://sports.khan.co.kr/article/202509080913013 |last=Kang |first=Shin-woo |newspaper=[Sports Kyunghyang](/source/Kyunghyang_Shinmun) |date=September 8, 2025 |access-date=November 26, 2025 |archive-date=February 3, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260203060327/https://sports.khan.co.kr/article/202509080913013 |url-status=live}} The Saja Boys were inspired by Korean boy bands such as [Tomorrow X Together](/source/Tomorrow_X_Together), [BTS](/source/BTS), [Stray Kids](/source/Stray_Kids), [Ateez](/source/Ateez), [BigBang](/source/BigBang_(South_Korean_band)), and [Monsta X](/source/Monsta_X).{{cite interview |last=Kang |first=Maggie |interviewer=Laura Sirikul |date=June 19, 2025 |title=Director Maggie Kang Reveals Who Inspired 'KPop Demon Hunters' Characters |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurasirikul/2025/06/19/director-maggie-kang-reveals-who-inspired-kpop-demon-hunters-characters/ |access-date=June 23, 2025 |work=[Forbes](/source/Forbes) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250716133434/https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurasirikul/2025/06/19/director-maggie-kang-reveals-who-inspired-kpop-demon-hunters-characters/ |archive-date=July 16, 2025 |url-access=subscription}} Korean actor and singer [Cha Eun-woo](/source/Cha_Eun-woo) was a key influence for Jinu, the group's leader;{{cite news |first=Thanayut |last=Wanametin |script-title=th:หล่อจนถูกนำมาเป็นต้นแบบ! Cha Eunwoo หนึ่งในเเรงบัลดาลใจ Jinu จาก K‑Pop Demon Hunters |language=th |title=H̄l̀x cn t̄hūk nả mā pĕnt̂n bæb! Cha Eunwoo h̄nụ̀ng nıere ngbạl dāl cı Jinu cāk K‑Pop Demon Hunters |trans-title=So handsome that he was used as a model! Cha Eunwoo, one of Jinu's inspirations from K-Pop Demon Hunters |url=https://ellethailand.com/entertainment/tv-movies/cha-eunwoo-jinu-kpop-demon-hunters/ |work=[Elle Thailand](/source/Elle_(magazine)) |date=June 23, 2025 |access-date=June 23, 2025 |archive-date=June 26, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250626073126/https://ellethailand.com/entertainment/tv-movies/cha-eunwoo-jinu-kpop-demon-hunters/ |url-status=live}} additionally, [Kai](/source/Kai_(entertainer%2C_born_1994)) of the Korean boy band [Exo](/source/Exo) served as a reference for Jinu's facial expressions.{{Cite web |url=https://www.musicmundial.com/en/exos-kai-was-one-of-the-inspirations-behind-saja-boys-jinu-in-kpop-demon-hunters/ |title=EXO's Kai was One of the Inspirations Behind Saja Boys' Jinu in Kpop Demon Hunters |last=Diaz |first=Derwyns |website=Music Mundial |date=July 29, 2025 |access-date=May 2, 2026 |archive-date=March 13, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260313194654/https://www.musicmundial.com/en/exos-kai-was-one-of-the-inspirations-behind-saja-boys-jinu-in-kpop-demon-hunters/ |url-status=live}} The names of the members of the Saja Boys, with the exception of Jinu, reflect K-pop archetypes.{{Cite magazine |last=Nguyen |first=Hanh |title='Keeping you obsessed': Netflix's Demons vs. Hunters Movie Captures the Mystical Allure of K-pop |url=https://www.salon.com/2025/06/29/kpop-demon-hunters-fandom-folklore-saja-boys-huntrix/ |magazine=[Salon.com](/source/Salon.com) |language=en-US |date=June 29, 2025 |access-date=June 30, 2025 |archive-date=July 23, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250723102503/https://www.salon.com/2025/06/29/kpop-demon-hunters-fandom-folklore-saja-boys-huntrix/ |url-status=live}} The term ''Saja'' also alludes to the ''[jeoseung saja](/source/jeoseung_saja)'' ({{Korean|저승사자|저승使者}}), a figure in Korean folklore comparable to the [Grim Reaper](/source/Grim_Reaper), and to the Korean word for lion, ''saja'' ({{Korean|사자|獅子|labels=no}}); the Saja Boys' logo uses a lion head and the band's fandom is called "the [Pride](/source/Lion)".{{Cite magazine |last=Rudolph |first=Christopher |date=August 27, 2025 |title=Did You Notice These 9 ''KPop Demon Hunters'' Easter Eggs (Including the Creator's Funny Cameo)? |url=https://people.com/kpop-demon-hunters-easter-eggs-11797105 |access-date=October 5, 2025 |magazine=[People](/source/People_(magazine)) |language=en |archive-date=January 9, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260109075549/https://people.com/kpop-demon-hunters-easter-eggs-11797105 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Jeong |first=Yu-cheol |date=August 12, 2025 |orig-date=August 11, 2025 |script-title=ko:'케이팝 데몬 헌터스', 왜 이 이야기가 통하는가 : 해외에서의 인기 의미 |title='keipab demon heonteoseu', wae i iyagiga tonghaneunga : haeoeeseoui ingi uimi |trans-title='KPop Demon Hunters': Why This Story Resonates: What It Means to Be Popular Overseas |url=https://www.ikoreanspirit.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=81154 |access-date=October 5, 2025 |website=K-Spirit |language=ko |archive-date=December 26, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251226043826/https://www.ikoreanspirit.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=81154 |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last=Jung |first=Yoohyun |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/08/22/arts/kpop-demon-hunters/ |title=I Was a Skeptic. But Now I'm Sold – Along with Millions of Kids. 'KPop Demon Hunters' Rocks. |newspaper=[The Boston Globe](/source/The_Boston_Globe) |date=August 22, 2025 |access-date=October 6, 2025 |archive-date=February 24, 2026 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20260224114702/https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/08/22/arts/kpop-demon-hunters/ |url-access=subscription}} Baek Byung-yeul of ''[The Korea Times](/source/The_Korea_Times)'' said the styling of both groups connects to "the past and the present of Korea": the members of Huntrix "wear ''[norigae](/source/norigae)'' pendants integrated into modern K-pop fashion, while Saja Boys perform in black [hanbok](/source/hanbok) and [traditional horsehair hats](/source/Gat_(hat)) for their song '[Your Idol](/source/Your_Idol),' evoking the image of the jeoseung saja".{{Cite news |last=Baek |first=Byung-yeul |date=June 23, 2025 |title='KPop Demon Hunters' Takes World by Storm, Combining K-pop Energy with Korean Heritage |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/entertainment/20250623/kpop-demon-hunters-takes-world-by-storm-combining-k-pop-energy-with-korean-heritage |access-date=June 24, 2025 |work=[The Korea Times](/source/The_Korea_Times) |language=en |archive-date=June 26, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250626073126/https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/entertainment/20250623/kpop-demon-hunters-takes-world-by-storm-combining-k-pop-energy-with-korean-heritage |url-status=live}} Huntrix members wield traditional Korean weapons. Max Kim of the ''[Los Angeles Times](/source/Los_Angeles_Times)'' noted the nods to Korean artists "who are seen today as the progenitors of contemporary K-pop" such as the [Jeogori Sisters](/source/Jeogori_Sisters), [The Kim Sisters](/source/The_Kim_Sisters) and [S.E.S.](/source/S.E.S._(group)){{Cite news |last=Kim |first=Max |date=August 2, 2025 |title=South Koreans Are Obsessed with Netflix's 'K-pop Demon Hunters.' Here's Why |url=https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2025-08-02/south-koreans-are-obsessed-with-netflixs-kpop-demon-hunters-heres-why |access-date=August 14, 2025 |work=[Los Angeles Times](/source/Los_Angeles_Times) |language=en-US |archive-date=August 11, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250811075010/https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2025-08-02/south-koreans-are-obsessed-with-netflixs-kpop-demon-hunters-heres-why |url-status=live}} Kang described the visual journey in the character design such as the Saja Boys starting in a "bubble gum pop, very saccharine, super sweet look" and shifting darker until they fully take on the appearance of the ''jeoseung saja''.{{Cite web |last=Bennett |first=Tara |date=June 21, 2025 |title=The Directors Of 'KPop Demon Hunters' Discuss The Unexpected Challenges Of Making An Animated K-Pop Film |url=https://www.cartoonbrew.com/feature-film/the-directors-of-kpop-demon-hunters-discuss-the-unexpected-challenges-of-making-an-animated-k-pop-film-247998.html |access-date=June 24, 2025 |website=Cartoon Brew |language=en-US |archive-date=July 11, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250711092341/https://www.cartoonbrew.com/feature-film/the-directors-of-kpop-demon-hunters-discuss-the-unexpected-challenges-of-making-an-animated-k-pop-film-247998.html |url-status=live}} Appelhans said Huntrix's costumes when performing "Golden" symbolize "their kind of [MacGuffin](/source/MacGuffin) of a dream", aspiring for perfection and irreproachability; the tearing away of Rumi's costume at the end of the film's second act represents the disruption of that dream. Appelhans said he wanted the workings of K-pop be reflected within the film and its plot. ===Casting=== {{Multiple image | total_width = 330 | image1 = Arden cho01 (cropped) (2).jpg | alt1 = Headshot of Arden Cho looking straight at the camera. | image2 = May Hong (54870039482) (cropped).jpg | alt2 = Closeup photo of May Hong. She is holding a microphone close to her face and looking off to her right, not directly toward the camera. | image3 = Ji-young Yoo at WonderCon in in 2025.jpg | alt3 = Closeup photo of Ji-young Yoo at a panel. She is looking off to her right, not directly toward the camera. | footer = [Arden Cho](/source/Arden_Cho), [May Hong](/source/May_Hong), and [Ji-young Yoo](/source/Ji-young_Yoo) voice Rumi, Mira, and Zoey }} The castings for the characters' voice actors and singing voices were done at separate times, with the singers being cast earlier.{{Cite interview |last1=Kang |first1=Maggie |last2=Appelhans |first2=Chris |interviewer-last=Kim |interviewer-first=Regina |title='KPop Demon Hunters' Directors Talk Casting, Soundtrack And Success |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/reginakim/2025/07/31/kpop-demon-hunters-directors-talk-casting-soundtrack-and-success/ |work=[Forbes](/source/Forbes) |date=July 31, 2025 |access-date=July 31, 2025 |archive-date=January 27, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260127055759/https://www.forbes.com/sites/reginakim/2025/07/31/kpop-demon-hunters-directors-talk-casting-soundtrack-and-success/ |url-access=subscription}} [Ejae](/source/Ejae) was originally brought onto the production as a songwriter, before being offered the role of Rumi's singing voice; in an interview with ''[Genius Korea](/source/Genius_(company))'', Ejae attributed her casting to "the directors [getting] used to hearing [her] voice in the demos".{{Cite interview |last=Kim |first=Eun-jae |subject-link=Ejae |interviewer1=((ANC613)) |interviewer-last2=Syed |interviewer-first2=Saquib |title=EJAE on Writing the Hits and Singing for Rumi in KPop Demon Hunters |url=https://genius.com/discussions/500181-Interview-ejae-on-writing-the-hits-and-singing-for-rumi-in-kpop-demon-hunters |publisher=[Genius Korea](/source/Genius_(company)) |date=July 2, 2025 |access-date=July 31, 2025 |archive-date=July 15, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250715112830/https://genius.com/discussions/500181-Interview-ejae-on-writing-the-hits-and-singing-for-rumi-in-kpop-demon-hunters |url-status=live}} Arden Cho, the voice actress for Rumi, initially auditioned for the role of Celine, then for the role of Rumi at the encouragement of co-director Maggie Kang.{{Cite news |title='Kpop Demon Hunter' Star Arden Cho Gets Candid About Her Characters; Reveals She Originally Auditioned for Celine and Not Rumi |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/web-series/news/korean/kpop-demon-hunter-star-arden-cho-gets-candid-about-her-characters-reveals-she-originally-auditioned-for-celine-and-not-rumi/articleshow/122544740.cms |newspaper=[The Times of India](/source/The_Times_of_India) |date=July 16, 2025 |access-date=July 29, 2025 |archive-date=July 19, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250719225311/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/web-series/news/korean/kpop-demon-hunter-star-arden-cho-gets-candid-about-her-characters-reveals-she-originally-auditioned-for-celine-and-not-rumi/articleshow/122544740.cms |url-status=live}} [Park Jin-young](/source/Park_Jin-young) was initially envisioned for the role of Gwi-Ma, because the character was to have a more flamboyant and comedic personality. This was dropped as the character was developed into a more menacing and traditionally antagonistic figure, leading instead to the casting of Lee Byung-hun.{{Cite AV media |title=K-pop Demon Hunters Huntrix Lion Boys?! Director Maggie, Arden's Interview with Rumi Revealed |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVndGYHjp7U |website=[Cosmopolitan Korea](/source/Cosmopolitan_(magazine)) |via=[YouTube](/source/YouTube) |date=July 15, 2025 |access-date=December 4, 2025 |archive-date=July 25, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250725014835/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVndGYHjp7U |url-status=live}} In April 2025, [Ji-young Yoo](/source/Ji-young_Yoo) was announced as Zoey.{{cite news |first1=David S. |last1=Cohen |first2=Paula |last2=Hendrickson |first3=Karen |last3=Idelson |first4=Nick |last4=Krewen |first5=Todd |last5=Longwell |first6=Stuart |last6=Miller |title=Variety's Legal Impact Report 2025: Meet Hollywood's Top Entertainment Attorneys |url=https://variety.com/lists/legal-impact-report-2025-hollywood-top-attorneys/lesley-freeman-2/ |work=[Variety](/source/Variety_(magazine)) |date=April 9, 2025 |archive-date=April 23, 2025 |access-date=April 9, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250423215746/https://variety.com/lists/legal-impact-report-2025-hollywood-top-attorneys/lesley-freeman-2/ |url-status=live}} The rest of the cast was announced later that month.{{cite web |url=https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/kpop-demon-hunters-release-date-cast-news |title=Demon Hunters, Arriving This Summer, Unveils Full Voice Cast |last=Hatchett |first=Keisha |website=[Tudum](/source/Tudum_(website)) |publisher=[Netflix](/source/Netflix) |date=April 24, 2025 |access-date=April 24, 2025 |archive-date=April 24, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250424164948/https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/kpop-demon-hunters-release-date-cast-news |url-status=live}} ===Animation=== The film was animated by [Sony Pictures Imageworks](/source/Sony_Pictures_Imageworks) in its [Vancouver](/source/Vancouver) and [Montreal](/source/Montreal) facilities with Josh Beveridge as animation director. Appelhans said its visual style was inspired by music videos, [concert stage lighting](/source/Stage_lighting), [editorial photography](/source/Photojournalism), [Korean drama](/source/Korean_drama)s, and anime. Kang said that the team changed its idea after watching Sony's ''[Spider-Verse](/source/Spider-Verse_(franchise))'' films, celebrated for their hybrid 2D/3D animation. Instead of blending the two techniques, they focused on a 3D animation style inspired by the "aesthetics and facial expressions of anime". Beveridge similarly noted the inspiration of "2D aesthetics but with three-dimensional language", making the film entirely in 3D [CGI](/source/Computer_generated_imagery), and that it should have a "very bold graphic look". Beveridge said the character art shifts to reflect the tone: glamorous for triumphant moments, angular and line-heavy for aggressive sequences, and "[chibi](/source/Chibi_(style))-esque" for comedy. The first major scene to be animated was the initial encounter between Huntrix and the Saja Boys, which Beveridge said acted as a proof of concept for the character designs. Kang sought to authentically represent Korean identity through character animation, focusing on facial features like eye and mouth shapes. Although the characters speak English, the animators designed their mouth shapes to the Korean language. For action scenes, the filmmakers used glitter effects inspired by the South Korean film ''[The Villainess](/source/The_Villainess)'' (2017), with Beveridge stating this gave the scenes a feeling of dance-fighting: "You can get pretty violent if you put a lot of glitter on."{{Cite news |last=Debruge |first=Peter |date=October 20, 2025 |title='KPop Demon Hunters' Directors Break Down the Heart-Eyes Scene: 'Let's Objectify the Crap Out of These Guys' |url=https://variety.com/2025/film/news/kpop-demon-hunters-directors-heart-eyes-scene-objectify-saja-boys-1236556827/ |access-date=October 20, 2025 |work=[Variety](/source/Variety_(magazine)) |language=en |archive-date=October 20, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251020215507/https://variety.com/2025/film/news/kpop-demon-hunters-directors-heart-eyes-scene-objectify-saja-boys-1236556827/ |url-status=live}} Precise detail was added to represent Korean cultural details such as the [Namsan Tower](/source/N_Seoul_Tower), [Korean cuisine](/source/Korean_cuisine), the [Naksan Wall](/source/Seoul_City_Wall), sign swords, and traditional tiger motifs. [[File:Tiger and Magpie, 72x59.4 cm, priviate collection, Japan.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.8|A Korean folk painting of [the Tiger and the Magpie](/source/Minhwa)|alt=A vertical painting in watercolor on paper with primarily black, white, and gray tones. It depicts a stylized tiger with a humorous, exaggerated expression and yellow eyes sitting at the bottom and looking up toward a magpie perched on the branch of a gnarled pine tree above.]] ''[Salon](/source/Salon.com)'s'' Hanh Nguyen wrote that the animation of Jinu's pet tiger and magpie—which the creative team call Derpy and Sussie respectively{{Cite tweet |number=1936667497442451840 |user=maggiemkang |title=And Might as Well Give You the Other One. The Magpie's Name is Sussie cuz It's Always Giving Sus Eyes. Derpy and Sussie |first=Maggie |last=Kang |author-link=Maggie Kang |date=June 22, 2025 |access-date=September 5, 2025}}—are based on {{lang|ko-latn|[minhwa](/source/minhwa)}}, a type of Korean folk art that was popular during the [Joseon period](/source/Joseon_period). Images of tigers, magpies, and pine trees are the focus of the {{lang|ko-latn|Hojak-do}} genre of {{lang|ko-latn|minhwa}}; the portrayal of these animals took cues from the satirical, anti-authority character that {{lang|ko-latn|Hojak-do}} took on during the 17th century.{{Cite web |last=Nguyen |first=Hanh |date=July 2, 2025 |title='KPop Demon Hunters': Jinu's Seriously Derpy Tiger Origin Story |url=https://www.salon.com/2025/07/02/kpop-demon-hunters-derpy-tiger/ |access-date=July 2, 2025 |website=[Salon.com](/source/Salon.com) |language=en-US |archive-date=July 25, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250725121140/https://www.salon.com/2025/07/02/kpop-demon-hunters-derpy-tiger/ |url-status=live}} Park Han-sol of ''The Korea Times'' wrote that {{lang|ko-latn|minhwa}} was often "whimsical" with "mischievous details" and depictions of tiger and magpie delivered "a playful jab at those in power".{{Cite news |last=Park |first=Han-sol |date=July 4, 2025 |title=From Tigers to Grim Reapers: Korean Folklore Easter Eggs in 'KPop Demon Hunters' |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/lifestyle/koreanheritage/20250704/from-tigers-to-grim-reapers-korean-folklore-easter-eggs-in-kpop-demon-hunters |access-date=July 7, 2025 |work=[The Korea Times](/source/The_Korea_Times) |language=en |archive-date=July 23, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250723135256/https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/lifestyle/koreanheritage/20250704/from-tigers-to-grim-reapers-korean-folklore-easter-eggs-in-kpop-demon-hunters |url-status=live}} She said the gag of the magpie stealing the tiger's hat "feels like an affectionate nod to the long-running visual joke". Sechrist was also a [story artist](/source/story_artist) and designed the tiger; he said that the blue color of the tiger's fur may have stemmed from with production designer Helen Mingjue Chen wanting to make the character feel more magical. Kang commented that Derpy was initially conceived without a clear role, but they did not want him to be just a sidekick. The team was inspired by a painting by Chen of a tiger statue turning into a real tiger next to an open shirt Jinu, which led to the idea of Derpy being Jinu's pet, eventually becoming a means for Rumi and Jinu to exchange messages and communicate, "and then the bird tagged along". Kang said the animals "live between these two worlds", with their nature left mysterious.{{Cite interview |last=Kang |first=Maggie |interviewer=Laura Sirikul |title='KPop Demon Hunters' Director Thought About A Live-Action Version |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurasirikul/2025/06/26/kpop-demon-hunters-director-thought-about-a-live-action-version/ |magazine=[Forbes](/source/Forbes) |date=June 26, 2025 |access-date=July 6, 2025 |archive-date=July 25, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250725090459/https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurasirikul/2025/06/26/kpop-demon-hunters-director-thought-about-a-live-action-version/ |url-access=subscription}} {{clear}} ===Choreography=== The dance choreography was worked on by Jam Republic's Jo Na-In, [the Black Label](/source/the_Black_Label)'s [Leejung Lee](/source/Leejung_Lee), and the group K-Tigers.{{Cite magazine |date=September 5, 2025 |title='Golden' Choreographer Jo Na-In 'Stunned & Thrilled' that 'KPop Demon Hunters' Song Topped Hot 100, Wants to Work With Lady Gaga Next |url=https://www.billboard.com/culture/tv-film/golden-choreographer-jo-na-in-interview-kpop-demon-hunters-1236060371/ |access-date=October 18, 2025 |magazine=[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine)) |language=en-US |archive-date=September 8, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250908214830/ttps://www.billboard.com/culture/tv-film/golden-choreographer-jo-na-in-interview-kpop-demon-hunters-1236060371/ |url-status=live}} Jo, a South Korean dancer and choreographer, created the sequences for "Golden" and "Takedown". The choreography for "How It's Done" was done by Lee, and the choreography for "Your Idol" was done by K-Tigers' Ha Seong-jin; choreography for the "Soda Pop" sequence was worked on by Lee and Ha. In an interview, Jo stated that she was inspired by "Golden" itself when developing the choreography for the song indicating that "I focused on the storytelling that needed to be conveyed through the animation. I tried to concentrate more on expressing the lyrics and emotions."{{Cite news |last=Laubacher |first=Kyra |date=September 25, 2025 |title=Jo Na-In on Choreographing 'Golden' and 'Takedown' for 'KPop Demon Hunters' |url=https://dancespirit.com/kpop-demon-hunters-choreography/#gsc.tab=0 |access-date=October 15, 2025 |work=[Dance Spirit](/source/Dance_Spirit) |language=en |archive-date=February 1, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260201070636/https://dancespirit.com/kpop-demon-hunters-choreography/#gsc.tab=0 |url-status=live}} On the animation aspect, Jo explained that she "made the movements bigger and more expansive" as well as keeping "close attention to details like facial expressions and fingertips to ensure they come across well onscreen". Fight scene choreography was contributed to by K-Tigers, including Taemin—who acted as the martial arts director—and Ha Seong-jin.{{Cite web |date=September 25, 2025 |title=Taekwondo Artist Brings Choreographies to KPop Demon Hunters |url=https://honoraryreporters.korea.net/board/detail.do?articlecate=1&board_no=32031&tpln=1 |website=Honorary Reporters |language=en-US |access-date=October 25, 2025 |archive-date=November 13, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251113215311/https://honoraryreporters.korea.net/board/detail.do?articlecate=1&board_no=32031&tpln=1 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=July 15, 2025 |title=K-Tigers' Taemi Joins 'K-Pop Demon Hunters' as Martial Arts Director for Action Sequences |url=https://www.starnewskorea.com/global/en/2025071513336961545 |access-date=October 25, 2025 |website=Star News |archive-date=November 13, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251113215457/https://www.starnewskorea.com/global/en/2025071513336961545 |url-status=live}} When interviewed, Ha explained that he "decided to weave [taekwondo](/source/taekwondo) elements into [the Saja Boys'] choreography. This way, it could showcase taekwondo not just as sport, but also as something aesthetically powerful." Josh Beveridge when discussing the fight choreography, noted the deliberate dance-fighting feel to the action, explaining that "[s]ome of those fight choreographers had done some idol training, and in between the moves, they'd make these cute little adjustments. That is where the personality is." ==Music== {{Main|KPop Demon Hunters (soundtrack){{!}}''KPop Demon Hunters'' (soundtrack)}} [[File:EJAE Apr 2026 w Oscar.jpg|thumb|right|upright=0.8|[Ejae](/source/Ejae) provides the singing voice of Rumi.|alt=Ejae from the waist up holding her Oscar trophy with both hands. She is looking off slightly left of center.]] Appelhans said they "wanted the Saja Boys' songs to be super catchy, but slightly hollow, like there's no real soul underneath", unlike the honesty and emotional vulnerability of Huntrix's songs. "The idea was that the surface-level part of your heart might be obsessed with the boys, but the deeper part is moved by the girls." Kang and Appelhans sought the expertise of known K-pop producers to develop the soundtrack.{{Cite news |last=Yoonnyung Lee |first=Julie |date=July 16, 2025 |title=KPop Demon Hunters: How the Netflix Film Became a Global Sensation |url=https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20250715-the-animated-k-pop-film-that-swept-the-world |access-date=July 16, 2025 |work=[BBC Culture](/source/BBC_Culture) |language=en-GB |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250924143534/https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20250715-the-animated-k-pop-film-that-swept-the-world |archive-date=September 24, 2025 |url-status=live}} The film's original songs were written by Danny Chung, Ido, Vince, Kush, [Ejae](/source/Ejae), [Jenna Andrews](/source/Jenna_Andrews), Stephen Kirk, Lindgren, [Mark Sonnenblick](/source/Mark_Sonnenblick), and [Daniel Rojas](/source/Daniel_Rojas_(Costa_Rican_composer)); and produced by Teddy Park, [24](/source/Jeong_Hoon_Seo), Ido, Dominsuk, Andrews, Kirk, Lindgren, and [Ian Eisendrath](/source/Ian_Eisendrath). [Marcelo Zarvos](/source/Marcelo_Zarvos) composed the score. Agnes Lee, a producer at Sony Pictures Animation, said she specifically sought out [Teddy Park](/source/Teddy_Park) of [The Black Label](/source/The_Black_Label) after the music of 2NE1 and Blackpink came to mind while reading the script.{{Cite web |last=Jeong |first=So-jin |date=February 3, 2026 |title=K팝은 어디까지 갈 수 있을까? 그래미는 중요하지 않아! |url=https://www.elle.co.kr/article/1896597 |website=Elle Korea |language=ko |access-date=February 3, 2026 |archive-date=February 19, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260219174835/https://www.elle.co.kr/article/1896597 |url-status=live}} The soundtrack also features the voices of Ejae, [Audrey Nuna](/source/Audrey_Nuna), [Rei Ami](/source/Rei_Ami), [Andrew Choi](/source/Andrew_Choi), [Kevin Woo](/source/Kevin_Woo), samUIL Lee, Neckwav, and [Lea Salonga](/source/Lea_Salonga). The soundtrack was released on June 20, 2025; the [lead single](/source/lead_single) "[Takedown](/source/Takedown_(song))" is performed by [Jeongyeon](/source/Jeongyeon), [Jihyo](/source/Jihyo) and [Chaeyoung](/source/Chaeyoung) of South Korean [girl group](/source/girl_group) [Twice](/source/Twice_(group)).{{cite magazine |last=Milligan |first=Mercedes |date=April 24, 2025 |title=Sony's 'KPop Demon Hunters' Cast, Music Roster & Netflix Premiere Date Revealed |url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/2025/04/kpop-demon-hunters-cast-music-roster-date-revealed/ |magazine=[Animation Magazine](/source/Animation_Magazine) |access-date=May 23, 2025 |archive-date=May 30, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250530173433/https://www.animationmagazine.net/2025/04/kpop-demon-hunters-cast-music-roster-date-revealed/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Hatchett |first=Keisha |date=June 20, 2025 |title=KPop Demon Hunters: Inside the Animated Film's Electrifying Original Songs |url=https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/kpop-demon-hunters-soundtrack |access-date=June 20, 2025 |website=[Tundum](/source/Tudum_(website)) |publisher=[Netflix](/source/Netflix) |type=Press release |archive-date=June 25, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250625073328/https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/kpop-demon-hunters-soundtrack |url-status=live}} The soundtrack was certified Platinum by the [RIAA](/source/RIAA) on October 8, 2025, with sales exceeding 1 million units.{{cite web |title=American album certifications – KPop Demon Hunters Cast, Saja Boys, Huntr/x – Kpop Demon Hunters (Soundtrack From the Netflix Film) |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=KPop+Demon+Hunters+Cast%2C+Saja+Boys%2C+Huntr%2FX&ti=Kpop+Demon+Hunters+%28Soundtrack+From+the+Netflix+Film%29&format=Album&type=#search_section |website=[Recording Industry Association of America](/source/Recording_Industry_Association_of_America) |access-date=October 8, 2025 |archive-date=October 9, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251009160528/https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=KPop+Demon+Hunters+Cast%2C+Saja+Boys%2C+Huntr%2FX&ti=Kpop+Demon+Hunters+%28Soundtrack+From+the+Netflix+Film%29&format=Album&type=#search_section |url-status=live}} In the United States, the ''KPop Demon Hunters'' soundtrack earned the highest debut on the [''Billboard'' 200](/source/Billboard_200) for a soundtrack released in 2025 at the time, entering at number eight; it was also the first soundtrack of the year to reach the top ten.{{cite magazine |last=Caulfield |first=Keith |title=Morgan Wallen's 'I'm the Problem' Spends Sixth Week in a Row at No. 1 on Billboard 200 |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/morgan-wallen-problem-sixth-week-no1-billboard-200-1236010228/ |magazine=[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine)) |access-date=June 29, 2025 |date=June 29, 2025 |archive-date=July 23, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250723130534/https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/morgan-wallen-problem-sixth-week-no1-billboard-200-1236010228/ |url-status=live}} The album is also the highest-charting animated film's soundtrack album on the chart since [Metro Boomin](/source/Metro_Boomin){{'s}} ''[Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse](/source/Spider-Man%3A_Across_the_Spider-Verse_(soundtrack))'' (2023) at number seven, as well as the first [Netflix](/source/Netflix) soundtrack to reach number one on the [Top Soundtracks](/source/Top_Soundtracks) since ''[Stranger Things: Soundtrack from the Netflix Series, Season 4](/source/Stranger_Things%3A_Soundtrack_from_the_Netflix_Series%2C_Season_4)'' (2022).{{cite magazine |last=Grein |first=Paul |title='KPop Demon Hunters' Ends Hit Soundtrack Drought |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/kpop-demon-hunters-soundtrack-ends-drought-1236011504/ |magazine=[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine)) |date=July 1, 2025 |access-date=July 2, 2025 |archive-date=July 24, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250724011532/https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/kpop-demon-hunters-soundtrack-ends-drought-1236011504/ |url-status=live}} The [BBC](/source/BBC) highlighted that Huntrix and the Saja Boys—with "[Golden](/source/Golden_(Huntrix_song))" and "[Your Idol](/source/Your_Idol)" respectively—topped the US [Spotify](/source/Spotify) chart, with Huntrix and the Saja Boys becoming the highest-charting female and male K-pop groups in the history of the US Spotify daily chart, surpassing [Blackpink](/source/Blackpink) and [BTS](/source/BTS), respectively.{{Cite news |last=Hoskins |first=Peter |date=July 4, 2025 |title=KPop Demon Hunters: Fictional K-pop Bands Beat BTS and Blackpink in US Charts |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyl1zyv1y2o |work=[BBC News](/source/BBC_News) |language=en-GB |access-date=July 5, 2025 |archive-date=August 2, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250802061131/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyl1zyv1y2o |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last1=Martin |first1=Timothy W. |last2=Kim |first2=Soobin |date=July 20, 2025 |title=The Biggest Name in K-Pop Isn't BTS. It's Netflix. |url=https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/music/kpop-demon-hunters-netflix-spotify-91566609 |access-date=July 20, 2025 |work=[The Wall Street Journal](/source/The_Wall_Street_Journal) |url-access=subscription |archive-url= |archive-date=}} While not the first fictional K-pop acts to achieve viral success,{{Cite web |last=Sudario |first=Erielle |date=June 26, 2025 |title='Kpop Demon Hunters' Shows Fictional Idols Can Make Music That Rivals the Charts |url=https://collider.com/kpop-demon-hunters-fictional-idols-music-that-rivals-the-charts/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250627012653/https://collider.com/kpop-demon-hunters-fictional-idols-music-that-rivals-the-charts/ |archive-date=June 27, 2025 |access-date=July 2, 2025 |website=[Collider](/source/Collider_(website)) |language=en}} the Saja Boys and Huntrix garnered attention from outlets like ''[Entertainment Weekly](/source/Entertainment_Weekly)'' for charting popularity comparable to real-world artists.{{Cite magazine |last=Romano |first=Nick |date=July 1, 2025 |title=2 Fictional K-pop Groups are Giving BTS a Run For Their Money |url=https://ew.com/kpop-demon-hunters-soundtrack-huntr-x-saja-boys-give-bts-run-for-their-money-11763738 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250701203302/https://ew.com/kpop-demon-hunters-soundtrack-huntr-x-saja-boys-give-bts-run-for-their-money-11763738 |archive-date=July 1, 2025 |access-date=July 2, 2025 |magazine=[Entertainment Weekly](/source/Entertainment_Weekly) |language=en}} "Golden", the album's second single, eventually reached number one on the [''Billboard'' Global 200](/source/Billboard_Global_200),{{Cite magazine |last=Trust |first=Gary |title=Huntr/x's 'Golden,' From 'KPop Demon Hunters,' Hits No. 1 on Billboard Global Charts |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/huntr-x-golden-global-charts-number-one-july-19-1236020891/ |magazine=[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine)) |date=July 14, 2025 |access-date=August 1, 2025 |archive-date=July 24, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250724175207/https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/huntr-x-golden-global-charts-number-one-july-19-1236020891/ |url-status=live}} became the longest-lasting number one song by a fictional act on the US [''Billboard'' Hot 100](/source/Billboard_Hot_100),{{Cite magazine |last=Trust |first=Gary |title=Huntr/x's 'Golden' From 'KPop Demon Hunters' Hits No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100 |url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/huntrx-golden-kpop-demon-hunters-number-1-hot-100/ |magazine=[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine)) |date=August 11, 2025 |access-date=August 11, 2025 |archive-date=August 11, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250811193911/https://www.billboard.com/lists/huntrx-golden-kpop-demon-hunters-number-1-hot-100/ |url-status=live}}{{cite magazine |last1=Molanphy |first1=Chris |date=August 16, 2025 |title=America's New No. 1 Song Is by a Group That Doesn't Exist |url=https://slate.com/culture/2025/08/kpop-demon-hunters-netflix-golden-rumi-billboard-lyrics.html |magazine=[Slate](/source/Slate_(magazine)) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250925144249/https://slate.com/culture/2025/08/kpop-demon-hunters-netflix-golden-rumi-billboard-lyrics.html |archive-date=September 25, 2025 |url-status=live}}{{Cite magazine |title=Huntr/x's 'Golden' Leads Hot 100 for Fifth Week — the Most Ever for an Animated Act |url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/huntrx-golden-hot-100-number-one-fifth-week/ |last=Trust |first=Gary |magazine=[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine)) |language=en |date=September 15, 2025 |access-date=November 21, 2025 |archive-date=September 15, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250915173826/https://www.billboard.com/lists/huntrx-golden-hot-100-number-one-fifth-week/ |url-status=live}} and in South Korea became the third song in 2025 to achieve a [perfect all-kill](/source/perfect_all-kill) on the charts,{{Cite web |last=Gaviria |first=Carlos |date=July 29, 2025 |title=Can KPop Demon Hunters Beat NewJeans in the Perfect All-Kill Race? |url=https://www.musicmundial.com/en/can-kpop-demon-hunters-beat-newjeans-in-the-perfect-all-kill-race/ |website=Music Mundial |access-date=October 17, 2025 |archive-date=October 17, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251017151653/https://www.musicmundial.com/en/can-kpop-demon-hunters-beat-newjeans-in-the-perfect-all-kill-race/ |url-status=live}} as well as breaking the record for most number of hourly perfect all-kills of all time.{{Cite web |last=Pascual |first=Pauline Joyce |date=August 12, 2025 |title=Huntr/x's 'Golden' Tops Billboard Hot 100, Breaks Korea All-Kill Record |url=https://tribune.net.ph/2025/08/12/huntrxs-golden-tops-billboard-hot-100-breaks-korea-all-kill-record |website=[Daily Tribune](/source/Daily_Tribune_(Philippines)) |language=en |access-date=August 12, 2025 |archive-date=August 12, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250812111814/https://tribune.net.ph/2025/08/12/huntrxs-golden-tops-billboard-hot-100-breaks-korea-all-kill-record |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=PAK (Perfect All Kill) |url=https://www.instiz.net/popup_ichart.htm?mode=3&type=2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250812061419/https://www.instiz.net/popup_ichart.htm?mode=3&type=2 |language=ko |archive-date=August 12, 2025 |access-date=August 12, 2025 |work=iChart}}{{Cite tweet |number=1954717514489106855 |user=instiz_ichart |title=2025/8/11 10:30 (KST) [Link] iChart 퍼펙트 올킬(Perfect All Kill)을 축하해요! (9개 차트 올킬, iChart 주간/실시간 1위) Huntr/x - Golden (656 Times) [Image] |author=iChart |date=August 10, 2025 |translation=Congratulations on achieving iChart Perfect All Kill! (Topping 9 charts, iChart weekly/real-time #1) Huntr/x - Golden (656 Times) |language=ko}} Additionally, the soundtrack became the first in the history of the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 to feature four of its songs in the top ten simultaneously, including "Golden", "Your Idol", "[Soda Pop](/source/Soda_Pop_(song))", and "How It's Done".{{Cite news |last=O'Connor |first=Roisin |date=August 26, 2025 |title=KPop Demon Hunters Makes History on Billboard Hot 100 |url=https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/music/news/kpop-demon-hunters-soundtrack-charts-golden-lyrics-singalong-b2813992.html |access-date=August 29, 2025 |work=[The Independent](/source/The_Independent) |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250827151211/https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/music/news/kpop-demon-hunters-soundtrack-charts-golden-lyrics-singalong-b2813992.html |archive-date=August 27, 2025}} It is the first film soundtrack since ''[Waiting to Exhale](/source/Waiting_to_Exhale)'' (1995) to feature at least three of its songs in the top 10.{{Cite magazine |last=Willman |first=Chris |date=August 25, 2025 |title=As 'Golden' Remains at No. 1, 'KPop Demon Hunters' Now Has Four Songs in the Hot 100's Top 10 — a Historic First for a Soundtrack |url=https://variety.com/2025/music/news/golden-billboard-hot-100-kpop-demon-hunters-soundtrack-1236497803/ |access-date=August 29, 2025 |magazine=[Variety](/source/Variety_(magazine)) |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250829172035/https://variety.com/2025/music/news/golden-billboard-hot-100-kpop-demon-hunters-soundtrack-1236497803/ |archive-date=August 29, 2025}} == Themes == [[File:Cosplay of KPop Demon Hunters at Galaxy Con San Jose 2025, crop.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|[Cosplayer](/source/Cosplayer) dressed as Rumi|alt=Waist-up photo of a cosplayer with a purple braided wig, dressed in Rumi's yellow jacket]] The film's plot explores the power of community and friendship in overcoming cultural pressures. Arden Cho, who voices Rumi, said, "Without Mira and Zoey, she wouldn't have made it." According to the filmmakers, Rumi's arc parallels the experience of [coming out](/source/coming_out), especially in terms of parental and societal expectations. Co-director Maggie Kang noted that the character's journey was deliberately written to mirror the process of revealing one's true self: "Rumi's story [is] like she's coming out of the closet and coming clean to her parents who [want] her to be something that she's not."{{cite web |last=McDaniel |first=Caitlynn |title=How 'K-Pop Demon Hunters' Tackles Shame, Identity & Finding Your Truth |url=http://gayety.com/how-k-pop-demon-hunters-tackles-identity |work=Gayety |access-date=August 5, 2025 |date=June 23, 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250629073949/http://gayety.com/how-k-pop-demon-hunters-tackles-identity |archive-date=June 29, 2025}} Kang commented that when developing Rumi's story they "talked a lot about [mixed heritage](/source/mixed_heritage)" as well as "[queer identity](/source/queer_identity), and [addiction](/source/addiction) and falling back into addiction. We kind of described the demon part of you" where someone is hiding part of themselves from others. [Stephen Thompson](/source/Stephen_Thompson_(journalist)) of [NPR](/source/NPR) and Taylor Henderson of ''[Out](/source/Out_(magazine))'' magazine both similarly noted aspects of [queer coding](/source/queer_coding) and queer allegory within Rumi's story,{{Cite podcast |url=https://www.npr.org/transcripts/1255812248 |last1=Thompson |first1=Stephen |author-link1=Stephen Thompson (journalist) |last2=Barber |first2=Regina |last3=Kim |first3=Jae-Ha |title='KPop Demon Hunters' Is a Viral Smash that Crushes the Songs |work=Pop Culture Happy Hour |publisher=[NPR](/source/NPR) |date=July 17, 2025 |access-date=October 3, 2025 |archive-date=July 18, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250718152924/https://www.npr.org/transcripts/1255812248 |url-status=live}} with Henderson writing that "[w]hile there aren't explicitly LGBTQ+ characters in the film, Rumi's struggle feels quite queer-coded. From an early age, [Celine] instructed her to hide that part of herself from the world. The hiding grew into a deep shame, and she holds contempt for the half-demon part of herself."{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.out.com/film/k-pop-demon-hunters |last=Henderson |first=Taylor |title=Netflix's K-Pop Demon Hunters Is Taking Over the World with a Powerful Queer Allegory |magazine=[Out (magazine)](/source/Out_(magazine)) |date=July 9, 2025 |access-date=October 3, 2025 |archive-date=July 13, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250713215128/https://www.out.com/film/k-pop-demon-hunters |url-status=live}} Sulman Aziz Mirza, in ''[Psychiatric News](/source/Psychiatric_News)'', highlighted the focus on "shame, identity, and healing"—in particular, Rumi hiding her demonic heritage and patterns "isolates Rumi in shame, forcing her to skip bonding rituals like bathhouse visits and ultimately silencing her voice". However, "Rumi and Jinu, both burdened by shame, begin to heal through music." Mirza called shame a universal experience so "Rumi's patterns could symbolize anything: depression, [queer](/source/queer)ness, trauma, [neurodivergence](/source/Neurodiversity), or being [biracial](/source/biracial)."{{cite journal |last=Mirza |first=Sulman Aziz |date=August 27, 2025 |title=The Burden of Shame and the Healing of Self in 'KPop Demon Hunters' |url=https://psychiatryonline.org/doi/full/10.1176/appi.pn.2025.09.9.8 |journal=[Psychiatric News](/source/Psychiatric_News) |volume=60 |doi=10.1176/appi.pn.2025.09.9.8 |number=9 |article-number=appi.pn.2025.09.9.8 |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251019004939/https://psychiatryonline.org/doi/full/10.1176/appi.pn.2025.09.9.8 |archive-date=October 19, 2025 |url-status=live}} Writing for ''The Korean Herald'', academic [Kim Seong-kon](/source/Kim_Seong-kon) identified the three main themes as: "1. The world is not simply made of good and evil, or angels and demons. 2. Do not be ashamed of differences. 3. Hybridity is a strength, not a weakness."{{cite web |last=Kim |first=Seong-kon |title=What to Learn from 'KPop Demon Hunters' |url=https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10613942 |work=The Korean Herald |date=November 12, 2025 |access-date=November 13, 2025 |archive-date=November 13, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251113214916/https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10613942 |url-status=live}} Academics Putu Marvitta Adira Prastiwi and Nissa Puspitaning Adni elaborate on themes of gender equality and [female empowerment](/source/female_empowerment), writing "[t]he solidarity and emotional support among the Huntrix members form[s] a crucial foundation for building an autonomous and empowering female community, while simultaneously critiquing patriarchal pressures that demanded women hide their imperfections and vulnerabilities. Rumi's internal conflict and rejection of the demand to conceal her true self emphasize[s] the necessity of dismantling oppressive symbolic systems so that women could express themselves fully and authentically."{{cite journal |first1=Putu Marvitta Adira |last1=Prastiwi |first2=Nissa Puspitaning |last2=Adni |date=August 2025 |title=Postmodern Feminism in the Movie ''K-Pop Demon Hunters'' (2025) |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/394156341 |journal=Jurnal Riset Rumpun Ilmu Bahasa |volume=4 |issue=2 |pages=744–754 |doi=10.55606/jurribah.v4i2.6415 |access-date=October 16, 2025 |doi-access=free}} ==Release== Sony Pictures Animation announced ''KPop Demon Hunters'' in March 2021 without a release timetable. In April 2022, it was first reported that Netflix registered a filing for the film.{{cite news |last1=Moore |first1=Kasey |title='K-Pop: Demon Hunters': Sony Animation Movie To Release Exclusively on Netflix |url=https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/k-pop-demon-hunters-sony-movie-release-netflix/ |access-date=April 22, 2025 |work=What's On Netflix |date=February 17, 2023 |archive-date=November 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241116132828/https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/k-pop-demon-hunters-sony-movie-release-netflix/ |url-status=live}}{{cite magazine |last1=Milligan |first1=Mercedes |date=April 13, 2022 |title=News Bytes: 'City of Ghosts' Nominated for Peabody, Sony's 'K-Pop' Might Groove on Netflix, 'Sonic 2' Blasts the BO & More |url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/2022/04/news-bytes-city-of-ghosts-nominated-for-peabody-sonys-k-pop-might-groove-on-netflix-sonic-2-blasts-the-bo-more/ |magazine=[Animation Magazine](/source/Animation_Magazine) |access-date=April 22, 2025 |archive-date=June 27, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250627190743/https://www.animationmagazine.net/2022/04/news-bytes-city-of-ghosts-nominated-for-peabody-sonys-k-pop-might-groove-on-netflix-sonic-2-blasts-the-bo-more/ |url-status=live}} The film was confirmed to be coming to Netflix in February 2023 in a ''[Business Insider](/source/Business_Insider)'' interview with [Sony Pictures](/source/Sony_Pictures) film CEO [Tom Rothman](/source/Tom_Rothman).{{cite news |last1=Atkinson |first1=Claire |date=February 16, 2023 |title=Sony's Movie Chief Talks China Censorship, Upcoming Game Adaptation 'Gran Turismo,' and How His Studio Is Preparing for a Potential Hollywood Writers' Strike |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/sony-film-chief-tom-rothman-spider-man-theaters-writers-strike-2023-2 |work=[Business Insider](/source/Business_Insider) |access-date=April 22, 2025 |archive-date=May 30, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250530173433/https://www.businessinsider.com/sony-film-chief-tom-rothman-spider-man-theaters-writers-strike-2023-2 |url-status=live}} The release of ''KPop Demon Hunters'' on Netflix was the result of a 2021 agreement between Netflix and Sony.{{Cite web |last=Belloni |first=Matthew |author-link=Matthew Belloni |date=August 15, 2025 |title=The Tragedy of 'KPop Demon Hunters' |url=https://puck.news/why-did-kpop-demon-hunters-go-straight-to-streaming/ |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251116182503/https://puck.news/why-did-kpop-demon-hunters-go-straight-to-streaming/ |archive-date=November 16, 2025 |access-date=August 15, 2025 |website=[Puck](/source/Puck_(media_company)) |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |last=Sperling |first=Nicole |date=April 8, 2021 |title=Sony Pictures Enters a Streaming Deal with Netflix |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/08/business/sony-netflix-streaming-deal.html |access-date=August 15, 2025 |work=[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times) |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250509150306/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/08/business/sony-netflix-streaming-deal.html |archive-date=May 9, 2025 |url-status=live}}{{Cite magazine |last1=Donnelly |first1=Matt |last2=Littleton |first2=Cynthia |date=April 8, 2021 |title=Sony Pictures Moves Movie Output Deal From Starz to Netflix in Rich Pact |url=https://variety.com/2021/film/news/netflix-sony-pictures-pay-1-starz-output-1234946413/ |access-date=August 15, 2025 |magazine=[Variety](/source/Variety_(magazine)) |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250719135202/https://variety.com/2021/film/news/netflix-sony-pictures-pay-1-starz-output-1234946413/ |archive-date=July 19, 2025 |url-status=live}} According to [Matthew Belloni](/source/Matthew_Belloni) of ''[Puck](/source/Puck_(media_company))'', this agreement entailed Sony giving Netflix "a [first look](/source/First-look_deal) at certain live-action and animated film projects", with Netflix in turn guaranteeing to greenlight a certain number of projects for joint development, which it would release and have control over. Under the terms of this deal, Netflix paid Sony $125 million to cover both the budget for ''KPop Demon Hunters'' and a premium worth 25% of the budget;{{Cite web |last=McClintock |first=Pamela |date=August 26, 2025 |title='KPop Demon Hunters' Sequel Moving Ahead As Sony and Netflix Engage In Deal Talks |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/kpop-demon-hunters-sony-netflix-sequel-talks-1236353972/ |access-date=August 27, 2025 |website=[The Hollywood Reporter](/source/The_Hollywood_Reporter) |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250827220451/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/kpop-demon-hunters-sony-netflix-sequel-talks-1236353972/ |archive-date=August 27, 2025 |url-status=live}} in exchange, Netflix would maintain all film rights, and would not need to pay any profit participation. In June 2024, Netflix announced that ''KPop Demon Hunters'', a film produced by Sony Pictures Animation, would be released in 2025.{{cite news |last=Grobar |first=Matt |date=June 6, 2024 |title=Maggie Kang & Chris Appelhans Directing Animated Feature 'K-Pop: Demon Hunters' For Netflix – First Look |url=https://deadline.com/2024/06/k-pop-demon-hunters-netflix-movie-maggie-kang-chris-appelhans-1235961028/ |work=[Deadline Hollywood](/source/Deadline_Hollywood) |archive-date=June 21, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250621135411/https://deadline.com/2024/06/k-pop-demon-hunters-netflix-movie-maggie-kang-chris-appelhans-1235961028/ |url-status=live}} In April 2025, the film was confirmed for a June 20, 2025, release. In addition to streaming on Netflix, ''KPop Demon Hunters'' had a [limited theatrical release](/source/limited_theatrical_release) at select cinemas in California and New York from June 20–26, 2025.{{Cite magazine |last=Grein |first=Paul |date=July 10, 2025 |title='KPop Demon Hunters' Is a Streaming Phenomenon, So How Is It Eligible for Oscars? Here's How |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/kpop-demon-hunters-eligible-oscars-1236017619/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250725060826/https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/kpop-demon-hunters-eligible-oscars-1236017619/ |archive-date=July 25, 2025 |access-date=July 10, 2025 |magazine=[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine)) |language=en-US}} A [sing-along](/source/sing-along) version of the film was released theatrically in select theaters in North America, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand from August 23–24, 2025.Multiple sources:{{Bulleted list| | {{Cite web |last=Vlessing |first=Etan |date=August 12, 2025 |title='KPop Demon Hunters' to Hit Theaters as Sing-Along Event |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/kpop-demon-hunters-sing-along-theaters-1236342132/ |website=[The Hollywood Reporter](/source/The_Hollywood_Reporter) |language=en-US |access-date=August 12, 2025 |archive-date=August 13, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250813055224/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/kpop-demon-hunters-sing-along-theaters-1236342132/ |url-status=live}} | {{Cite web |last=Hart |first=Aimee |date=August 13, 2025 |title=US Cities Are Getting at Least 4 Different Versions of the KPop Demon Hunters Sing-Along Screenings |url=https://www.polygon.com/kpop-demon-hunters-singalong-screenings-us-cities/ |website=[Polygon](/source/Polygon_(website)) |language=en |access-date=August 13, 2025 |archive-date=August 14, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250814071556/https://www.polygon.com/kpop-demon-hunters-singalong-screenings-us-cities/ |url-status=live}} | {{Cite news |last=Badshah |first=Nadeem |date=August 13, 2025 |title=UK Cinemas to Host KPop Demon Hunters Sing-Alongs |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/aug/13/uk-cinemas-to-host-kpop-demon-hunters-sing-alongs |work=[The Guardian](/source/The_Guardian) |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |access-date=August 13, 2025 |archive-date=August 14, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250814083921/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/aug/13/uk-cinemas-to-host-kpop-demon-hunters-sing-alongs |url-status=live}} | {{Cite magazine |last=Brandle |first=Lars |date=August 15, 2025 |title=HOYTS to Exclusively Screen 'K-Pop Demon Hunters' Sing-Alongs |url=https://au.variety.com/2025/film/news/hoyts-cinemas-exclusively-screen-k-pop-demon-hunters-sing-alongs-26485/ |access-date=August 15, 2025 |magazine=[Variety Australia](/source/Variety_Australia) |language=en-AU |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250815184248/https://au.variety.com/2025/film/news/hoyts-cinemas-exclusively-screen-k-pop-demon-hunters-sing-alongs-26485/ |archive-date=August 15, 2025 |url-status=live}} }} The sing-along version was subsequently released on Netflix, separately from the original version.{{Cite news |last=Oganesyan |first=Natalie |date=August 24, 2025 |title='KPop Demon Hunters' Sing-Along Version To Debut On Netflix |url=https://deadline.com/2025/08/kpop-demon-hunters-sing-along-version-netflix-1236496415/ |access-date=August 25, 2025 |work=[Deadline Hollywood](/source/Deadline_Hollywood) |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250825004239/https://deadline.com/2025/08/kpop-demon-hunters-sing-along-version-netflix-1236496415/ |archive-date=August 25, 2025 |url-status=live}} The film then had a second theatrical sing-along release from October 31{{snd}}November 2, 2025.{{Cite web |last=Hatchett |first=Keisha |title=''KPop Demon Hunters Sing-Along'' Returns to Theaters for Halloween |url=https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/kpop-demon-hunters-halloween-sing-along |website=[Tudum](/source/Tudum_(website)) |date=October 15, 2025 |access-date=October 15, 2025 |archive-date=October 15, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251015184538/https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/kpop-demon-hunters-halloween-sing-along |url-status=live}} The June 2025 theatrical release in the United States was enough to satisfy the eligibility requirements for the [Best Animated Film](/source/Academy_Award_for_Best_Animated_Feature) and [Best Original Song](/source/Academy_Award_for_Best_Original_Song) categories at the [Oscars](/source/Academy_Awards).{{Cite web |last=Perry |first=Spencer |date=January 8, 2026 |title=KPop Demon Hunters, the Biggest Movie of the Year, Gets Unfortunate Oscar Update |url=https://comicbook.com/movies/news/kpop-demon-hunters-the-biggest-movie-of-the-year-gets-unfortunate-oscar-update/ |access-date=January 8, 2026 |website=[ComicBook.com](/source/ComicBook.com) |language=en-US |archive-url= |archive-date=}} The subsequent international theatrical releases did not meet the requirements to qualify for the [BAFTA Awards](/source/BAFTA_Awards), due to the British theatrical run occurring two months after the streaming release, along with not having enough commercial screenings.{{Cite magazine |last=Davis |first=Clayton |date=November 11, 2025 |title='KPop Demon Hunters' Ruled Ineligible for BAFTAs — Here's Why It's Still Eligible for Oscars |url=https://variety.com/2025/film/awards/kpop-demon-hunters-ineligible-bafta-oscars-1236575163/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251117014530/https://variety.com/2025/film/awards/kpop-demon-hunters-ineligible-bafta-oscars-1236575163/ |archive-date=November 17, 2025 |access-date=November 12, 2025 |magazine=[Variety](/source/Variety_(magazine))}} The British Academy rejected Netflix's exception appeal; according to ''[Deadline](/source/Deadline_Hollywood)'', ''KPop Demon Hunters'' would have qualified if Netflix had released it simultaneously in British theaters and on streaming.{{Cite news |last=Tartaglione |first=Nancy |date=November 11, 2025 |title='KPop Demon Hunters' Ineligible for BAFTA Film Awards Despite Netflix Appeal over Theatrical Release After Pic's Streaming Launch |url=https://deadline.com/2025/11/kpop-demon-hunters-ineligible-bafta-film-awards-netflix-1236614042/ |work=[Deadline Hollywood](/source/Deadline_Hollywood) |language=en-US |access-date=November 21, 2025 |archive-date=February 22, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260222005050/https://deadline.com/2025/11/kpop-demon-hunters-ineligible-bafta-film-awards-netflix-1236614042/ |url-status=live}} === Home media === The film is scheduled to receive [DVD](/source/DVD), [Blu-ray](/source/Blu-ray), and [4K Ultra HD](/source/Ultra-high-definition_television) home media releases on December 31, 2026 as part of [the Criterion Collection](/source/the_Criterion_Collection).{{Cite magazine |last=Lang |first=Brent |date=February 23, 2026 |title='KPop Demon Hunters,' Guillermo del Toro's 'Frankenstein' Joining Criterion Collection (Exclusive) |url=https://variety.com/2026/film/news/kpop-demon-hunters-frankenstein-criterion-collection-1236670172/ |access-date=February 23, 2026 |magazine=[Variety](/source/Variety_(magazine)) |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260415101054/https://variety.com/2026/film/news/kpop-demon-hunters-frankenstein-criterion-collection-1236670172/ |archive-date=April 15, 2026 |url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Chan|first=Tim|url=https://www.billboard.com/culture/product-recommendations/kpop-demon-hunters-film-blu-ray-dvd-4k-physical-release-buy-1236255905/|title='KPop Demon Hunters' Finally Gets Physical Release on Blu-ray and DVD: Order It Here|website=[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))|date=May 24, 2026|access-date=May 27, 2026|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260525025023/https://www.billboard.com/culture/product-recommendations/kpop-demon-hunters-film-blu-ray-dvd-4k-physical-release-buy-1236255905/|archive-date=May 25, 2026|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Zavaleta|first=Jonathan|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/product-recommendations/lifestyle/k-pop-demon-hunters-criterion-blu-ray-dvd-buy-online-1235568675/|title='KPop Demon Hunters' Is Getting a Cinephile-Approved Blu-ray and DVD Release From Criterion|website=[Rolling Stone](/source/Rolling_Stone_(magazine))|date=May 26, 2026|access-date=May 27, 2026|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260527124348/https://www.rollingstone.com/product-recommendations/lifestyle/k-pop-demon-hunters-criterion-blu-ray-dvd-buy-online-1235568675/ |archive-date=May 27, 2026 |url-status=live}} == Reception == === Viewership === On July 29, 2025, Netflix announced that ''KPop Demon Hunters'' had become the platform's "most watched original animated film of all time".{{Cite web |last=Valdez |first=Nick |date=July 29, 2025 |title=Netflix Crowns Its New Most Watched Original Animated Movie of All Time |url=https://comicbook.com/movies/news/netflix-movies-most-watched-kpop-demon-hunters/ |website=[ComicBook.com](/source/ComicBook.com) |language=en-US |access-date=July 29, 2025 |archive-date=August 2, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250802194613/https://comicbook.com/movies/news/netflix-movies-most-watched-kpop-demon-hunters/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Briscuso |first=Lex |date=July 30, 2025 |title=Happy Gilmore 2 Secures Biggest U.S. Opening Weekend of All Time for a Netflix Film, KPop Demon Hunters Now the Most Popular Netflix Animated Film of All Time |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/happy-gilmore-2-secures-biggest-us-opening-weekend-of-all-time-for-a-netflix-film-kpop-demon-hunters-now-the-most-popular-netflix-animated-film-of-all-time |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250802194631/https://www.ign.com/articles/happy-gilmore-2-secures-biggest-us-opening-weekend-of-all-time-for-a-netflix-film-kpop-demon-hunters-now-the-most-popular-netflix-animated-film-of-all-time |archive-date=August 2, 2025 |access-date=July 30, 2025 |website=[IGN](/source/IGN) |language=en}} On August 26, Netflix said it had been watched 236 million times, passing ''[Red Notice](/source/Red_Notice_(film))'' (2021) as its most-watched film.{{Cite magazine |last=Lang |first=Brent |date=August 26, 2025 |title='KPop Demon Hunters' Breaks Record As Netflix's Most-Watched Movie Ever |url=https://variety.com/2025/film/news/kpop-demon-hunters-netflix-most-watched-movie-history-1236496106/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250827141141/https://variety.com/2025/film/news/kpop-demon-hunters-netflix-most-watched-movie-history-1236496106/ |archive-date=August 27, 2025 |access-date=August 26, 2025 |magazine=[Variety](/source/Variety_(magazine))}}{{Cite magazine |last=Roeloffs |first=Mary Whitfill |date=August 26, 2025 |title='KPop Demon Hunters' Breaks Record As Netflix's Most-Watched Movie Ever |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/maryroeloffs/2025/08/26/kpop-demon-hunters-breaks-record-as-netflixs-most-watched-movie-ever/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250828071047/https://www.forbes.com/sites/maryroeloffs/2025/08/26/kpop-demon-hunters-breaks-record-as-netflixs-most-watched-movie-ever/ |archive-date=August 28, 2025 |access-date=August 26, 2025 |magazine=[Forbes](/source/Forbes)}}{{cite news |last=Hoskins |first=Peter |date=August 27, 2025 |title=Kpop Demon Hunters Becomes Netflix's Most Viewed Film Ever |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1kz12v08l1o |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250912052730/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1kz12v08l1o |archive-date=September 12, 2025 |work=[BBC News](/source/BBC_News)}} In late August, ''The Hollywood Reporter'' cited Netflix data showing the film's steady performance throughout the summer.{{Cite web |last=Porter |first=Rick |date=August 14, 2025 |title=Streaming Ratings: 'Untamed' Debuts at No. 1, 'Kpop Demon Hunters' Hits High |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/streaming-ratings-july-14-20-2025-1236345036/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250815060259/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/streaming-ratings-july-14-20-2025-1236345036/ |archive-date=August 15, 2025 |access-date=August 15, 2025 |website=[The Hollywood Reporter](/source/The_Hollywood_Reporter) |language=en-US}} On September 3, Netflix stated it had passed 266 million views, overtaking the [first season](/source/Squid_Game_season_1) of ''[Squid Game](/source/Squid_Game)'' (2021) to become Netflix's most-watched title;{{Cite magazine |last=Hwiseon |first=Yeon |date=September 3, 2025 |title=KPop Demon Hunters Surpasses Squid Game in Netflix Viewership |url=https://www.chosun.com/english/kpop-culture-en/2025/09/03/P2CLCI7IJFCDTBXVFQIXAECN3E/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251001233232/https://www.chosun.com/english/kpop-culture-en/2025/09/03/P2CLCI7IJFCDTBXVFQIXAECN3E/ |archive-date=October 1, 2025 |access-date=September 6, 2025 |magazine=[The Chosun Ilbo](/source/The_Chosun_Ilbo)}} as of December 24, 2025, it had received more that 500 million views.{{Cite magazine |last=Milligan |first=Mercedes |date=December 24, 2025 |title=KPop Demon Hunters Surpasses 500 Million Total Views on Netflix |url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/2025/12/kpop-demon-hunters-surpasses-500-million-total-views-on-netflix/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251227061830/https://www.animationmagazine.net/2025/12/kpop-demon-hunters-surpasses-500-million-total-views-on-netflix/ |archive-date=December 27, 2025 |access-date=December 24, 2025 |magazine=[Animation Magazine](/source/Animation_Magazine)}} [Nielsen Media Research](/source/Nielsen_Media_Research), which records streaming viewership on certain US television screens, reported that ''KPop Demon Hunters'' garnered 20.5 billion minutes of watch time in 2025, ranking as the most-streamed film of the year.{{Cite magazine |last=Shanfeld |first=Ethan |date=January 28, 2026 |title='KPop Demon Hunters' Is Most-Streamed Movie of 2025 With 20.5 Billion Minutes Watched |url=https://variety.com/2026/film/news/kpop-demon-hunters-most-streamed-movie-2025-1236643334/ |access-date=January 30, 2026 |magazine=[Variety](/source/Variety_(magazine)) |language=en-US |archive-date=January 29, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260129201636/https://variety.com/2026/film/news/kpop-demon-hunters-most-streamed-movie-2025-1236643334/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Porter |first=Rick |date=January 28, 2026 |title='Bluey' Defeats 'Stranger Things,' Everything Else to Retain Title as Most Streamed Show in 2025 |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/bluey-stranger-things-2025-year-end-streaming-charts-1236487118/ |access-date=February 3, 2026 |website=[The Hollywood Reporter](/source/The_Hollywood_Reporter) |language=en-US |archive-date=February 3, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260203073038/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/bluey-stranger-things-2025-year-end-streaming-charts-1236487118/ |url-status=live}} === Box office === The sing-along version of ''KPop Demon Hunters'' was released in theaters on August 23, 2025.{{cite news |date=August 24, 2025 |title=Netflix's KPop Demon Hunters' Tops Box Office in Rare Event |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-08-24/netflix-s-kpop-demon-hunters-tops-box-office-in-rare-event |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250825010316/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-08-24/netflix-s-kpop-demon-hunters-tops-box-office-in-rare-event |archive-date=August 25, 2025 |access-date=August 24, 2025 |work=[Bloomberg News](/source/Bloomberg_News)}}{{cite magazine |last=Rubin |first=Rebecca |date=August 24, 2025 |title=Box Office: Netflix's 'Kpop Demon Hunters' Leads With Estimated $18 Million Debut, 'Weapons' Stays Strong With $15.6 Million |url=https://variety.com/2025/film/box-office/box-office-kpop-demon-hunters-leads-box-office-over-weapons-1236497070/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250824163557/https://variety.com/2025/film/box-office/box-office-kpop-demon-hunters-leads-box-office-over-weapons-1236497070/ |archive-date=August 24, 2025 |access-date=August 24, 2025 |magazine=[Variety](/source/Variety_(magazine))}} It debuted in 1,700 theaters, dethroning the 698-theatre release of Netflix's ''[Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery](/source/Glass_Onion%3A_A_Knives_Out_Mystery)'' (2022). It was initially projected to gross $18 to $20 million during its opening weekend. It was the company's best-performing theatrical release, beating out ''Glass Onion'' ($13.1 million in 2022). It was the first Netflix film to finish in first place over the weekend.{{Cite news |last=Fritz |first=Ben |date=August 24, 2025 |title='KPop Demon Hunters' Is Netflix's First No. 1 Box-Office Hit |url=https://www.wsj.com/business/media/kpop-demon-hunters-is-netflixs-first-no-1-box-office-hit-bc83bd1a |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250908110148/https://www.wsj.com/business/media/kpop-demon-hunters-is-netflixs-first-no-1-box-office-hit-bc83bd1a |archive-date=September 8, 2025 |access-date=August 24, 2025 |work=[The Wall Street Journal](/source/The_Wall_Street_Journal) |language=en-US}} Netflix did not report grosses. In the United States and Canada, ''KPop Demon Hunters'' made $19.2 million,{{Cite The Numbers |id=KPop-Demon-Hunters-(2025) |access-date=January 29, 2026}} ahead of ''[Weapons](/source/Weapons_(2025_film))'', which was expected to remain in first during its third weekend.{{Cite news |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=August 25, 2025 |title='KPop Demon Hunters' Delivers Netflix First No. 1 Box Office Win With $19M+, But Streamer Doesn't Want To Officially Report – Monday AM Update |url=https://deadline.com/2025/08/box-office-kpop-demon-hunters-weapons-1236495263/ |access-date=August 25, 2025 |work=[Deadline Hollywood](/source/Deadline_Hollywood) |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250921071753/https://deadline.com/2025/08/box-office-kpop-demon-hunters-weapons-1236495263/ |archive-date=September 21, 2025 |url-status=live}} Jeremy Fuster of ''[TheWrap](/source/TheWrap)'' wrote that its theatrical release was set to open higher than the three-day opening weekends of ''[The Bad Guys 2](/source/The_Bad_Guys_2)'' ($22 million) and ''[Elio](/source/Elio_(film))'' ($20.8 million); he said it would have made $100 million domestically had it not first been streamed.{{efn|The most recent animated film to do so up until that point was ''[Despicable Me 4](/source/Despicable_Me_4)'' (2024).}}{{Cite web |last=Fuster |first=Jeremy |date=August 24, 2025 |title='K-Pop Demon Hunters' Becomes Netflix's First Box Office No. 1 |url=https://www.thewrap.com/k-pop-demon-hunters-netflix-box-office-no-1/ |access-date=August 24, 2025 |website=[TheWrap](/source/TheWrap) |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250825083703/https://www.thewrap.com/k-pop-demon-hunters-netflix-box-office-no-1/ |archive-date=August 25, 2025 |url-status=live}} Matt Schimkowitz of ''[The A.V. Club](/source/The_A.V._Club)'' wrote that the theatrical release drew many moviegoers who had likely streamed it.{{Cite web |last=Schimkowitz |first=Matt |date=August 24, 2025 |title=Netflix Summons Its First Box Office Win With KPop Demon Hunters |url=https://www.avclub.com/box-office-august-24-2025-kpop-demon-hunters-netflix-weapons |access-date=August 24, 2025 |website=[The A.V. Club](/source/The_A.V._Club) |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250825083056/https://www.avclub.com/box-office-august-24-2025-kpop-demon-hunters-netflix-weapons |archive-date=August 25, 2025 |url-status=live}} Ben Fritz of ''[The Wall Street Journal](/source/The_Wall_Street_Journal)'' noted that the acclaim led Netflix to make it a rare theatrical release. Matthew Belloni of ''Puck'' noted that, due to the arrangement between Netflix and Sony for the production, most of the profit, and from any potentially subsequent franchise, would be accrued by Netflix, the distributor, rather than by Sony. For Netflix's film chief [Dan Lin](/source/Dan_Lin), "this is a studio chairman's dream: a relatively cheap superhit" with evident avenues for exploitation across multiple businesses being available, whereas Sony's film chief Tom Rothman "gotta be kicking himself over this one". === Critical response === {{Film ratings | MC = 77/100{{Cite Metacritic |id=kpop-demon-hunters |type=film |title=Kpop Demon Hunters |access-date=May 9, 2026}} | RT = 91%{{Cite Rotten Tomatoes |id=kpop_demon_hunters |type=film |title=Kpop Demon Hunters |access-date=May 9, 2026}} | rev1 = ''[Empire](/source/Empire_(magazine))'' | rev1score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite magazine |last=Ehenulo |first=Kelechi |date=August 28, 2025 |title=KPop Demon Hunters Review |url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/kpop-demon-hunters/ |magazine=[Empire](/source/Empire_(magazine)) |publisher=[Bauer Media Group](/source/Bauer_Media_Group) |access-date=October 5, 2025 |archive-date=September 17, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250917032239/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/kpop-demon-hunters/ |url-status=live}} | rev2 = ''[The Times](/source/The_Times)'' | rev2score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{Cite news |last=Maher |first=Kevin |date=October 29, 2025 |title=KPop Demon Hunters review — a giddy, glorious, singalong release |url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/film/article/kpop-demon-hunters-singalong-review-gxptsjbjc |url-access=limited |newspaper=[The Times](/source/The_Times) |publisher=[News UK](/source/News_UK) |access-date=March 18, 2026 |archive-url= |archive-date=}} | rev3 = ''[The Arizona Republic](/source/The_Arizona_Republic)'' | rev3score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}{{Cite news |last=Goodykoontz |first=Bill |date=August 21, 2025 |title='KPop Demon Hunters' is a massive hit. Is it actually good? |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/movies/billgoodykoontz/2025/08/21/kpop-demon-hunters/85723376007/ |newspaper=[The Arizona Republic](/source/The_Arizona_Republic) |publisher=[USA Today Co.](/source/USA_Today_Co.) |access-date=March 18, 2026 |archive-url= |archive-date=}} | rev4 = ''[RogerEbert.com](/source/RogerEbert.com)'' | rev4score = {{Rating|3|4}}{{Cite news |last=Tallerico |first=Brian |date=July 28, 2025 |title=KPop Demon Hunters |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/kpop-demon-hunters-netflix-film-review-2025 |website=[RogerEbert.com](/source/RogerEbert.com) |publisher=Ebert Digital LLC |access-date=March 18, 2026 |archive-url= |archive-date=}} | rev5 = ''[Collider](/source/Collider_(website))'' | rev5score = 8/10{{Cite news |last=Ewing |first=Jeff |date=June 19, 2025 |title='Kpop Demon Hunters' Review: Fun World-Building, Catchy Songs, and Strong Performances Makes Netflix's Film Unmissable |url=https://collider.com/kpop-demon-hunters-review-netflix/ |website=[Collider](/source/Collider_(website)) |access-date=March 18, 2026 |archive-date=June 21, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250621135417/https://collider.com/kpop-demon-hunters-review-netflix/ |url-status=live}} | rev6 = ''[IGN](/source/IGN)'' | rev6score = 8/10{{Cite web |last=Egan |first=Toussaint |date=June 19, 2025 |title=KPop Demon Hunters Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/kpop-demon-hunters-review-netflix |website=[IGN](/source/IGN) |publisher=[Ziff Davis](/source/Ziff_Davis) |access-date=June 19, 2025 |archive-date=June 21, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250621135411/https://www.ign.com/articles/kpop-demon-hunters-review-netflix |url-status=live}} | rev7 = ''[IndieWire](/source/IndieWire)'' | rev7score = B{{Cite web |last=Chapman |first=Wilson |date=July 11, 2025 |title='Kpop Demon Hunters' Review: Netflix's Breakout Hit is a Total Crowdpleaser |url=https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/kpop-demon-hunters-review-netflix-1235137829/ |website=[IndieWire](/source/IndieWire) |publisher=[Penske Media Corporation](/source/Penske_Media_Corporation) |access-date=July 11, 2025 |archive-date=July 23, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250723054919/https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/kpop-demon-hunters-review-netflix-1235137829/ |url-status=live}} }} ''KPop Demon Hunters'' received wide acclaim from both critics and audiences,{{Cite news |last=Simon |first=Scott |author-link=Scott Simon |date=July 19, 2025 |title=A History of Fictional Bands From Movies With Hit Tunes |url=https://www.npr.org/2025/07/19/nx-s1-5472397/a-history-of-fictional-bands-from-movies-with-hit-tunes |access-date=August 14, 2025 |work=[NPR](/source/NPR) |quote=The movie "KPop Demon Hunters" has not only received critical acclaim |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250719120357/https://www.npr.org/2025/07/19/nx-s1-5472397/a-history-of-fictional-bands-from-movies-with-hit-tunes |archive-date=July 19, 2025 |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last=Delgado |first=Sara |date=August 1, 2025 |title=Is Kpop Demon Hunters Getting a Sequel Trilogy? Here's What We Know So Far |url=https://www.teenvogue.com/story/kpop-demon-hunters-sequel-everything-you-need-to-know |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250826091736/https://www.teenvogue.com/story/kpop-demon-hunters-sequel-everything-you-need-to-know |archive-date=August 26, 2025 |access-date=August 14, 2025 |work=[Teen Vogue](/source/Teen_Vogue) |quote=Not only is the movie achieving critical acclaim |url-status=live}} who praised its animation, music, voice acting, and story.{{Cite magazine |last=DeGrushe |first=Allison |date=July 15, 2025 |title=What We Know About the Netflix Hit's Future |url=https://ew.com/kpop-demon-hunters-sequel-what-we-know-11771761 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250716045858/https://ew.com/kpop-demon-hunters-sequel-what-we-know-11771761 |archive-date=July 16, 2025 |access-date=August 14, 2025 |magazine=[Entertainment Weekly](/source/Entertainment_Weekly) |quote=The movie has skyrocketed in popularity, earning acclaim for its vibrant animation, catchy soundtrack, standout voice performances, and engaging storyline. |url-status=live}} {{RT prose|91|{{RT data|average}}|105|Animated with infectious energy and vibrant colors, ''KPop Demon Hunters'' is jaunty family entertainment with a terrific soundtrack to boot.}} {{Metacritic film prose|77|10}} Brandon Yu, for ''[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)'', wrote that ''KPop Demon Hunters'' "is an original universe that is charming, funny and artfully punchy". Yu said it shared the same cinematic approach as the ''Spider-Verse'' animated films, also produced by Sony Pictures Animation, noting both as featuring effective usages of fluid action, striking art, and music that serves the storytelling.{{Cite news |last=Yu |first=Brandon |date=June 19, 2025 |title='KPop Demon Hunters' Review: Singing, Slinging and Slashing |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/19/movies/kpop-demon-hunters-review.html |access-date=June 19, 2025 |work=[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times) |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=June 21, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250621135411/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/19/movies/kpop-demon-hunters-review.html |url-status=live}} Toussaint Egan of ''[IGN](/source/IGN)'' similarly compared ''KPop Demon Hunters'' to ''Spider-Verse'', while also highlighting the fight sequences, which he described as having "flashy choreography and anime-inflected verve". Kelechi Ehenulo of ''[Empire](/source/Empire_(magazine))'' described it as "a cross between ''[Buffy the Vampire Slayer](/source/Buffy_the_Vampire_Slayer)'' and ''[Popstars: The Rivals](/source/Popstars%3A_The_Rivals)''", praising the watchability, comedy, and story about shame, generationally-imposed emotional burdens, and embracing who you are. Matt Goldberg of ''TheWrap'' commented that the plot would "be painfully overwrought" were it not for the comedy.{{Cite web |last=Goldberg |first=Matt |date=June 19, 2025 |title='KPop Demon Hunters' Review: A Colorful Confection Reveling in Big Emotions |url=https://www.thewrap.com/kpop-demon-hunters-review-netflix/ |website=[TheWrap](/source/TheWrap) |language=en-US |access-date=June 20, 2025 |archive-date=June 21, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250621135417/https://www.thewrap.com/kpop-demon-hunters-review-netflix/ |url-status=live}} Goldberg and Yu felt its best comedy came from poking fun at the culture and tropes surrounding K-pop, K-dramas, and other K-media. David Tizzard of ''The Korea Times'' said ''KPop Demon Hunters'' was both "a love letter to K-pop", and an unflinchingly critical examination of K-pop culture. He also praised the representation of Korean culture, stating that it captures and displays aspects of everyday life in South Korea "with an intimacy rarely seen in global content."{{Cite news |last=Tizzard |first=David |date=June 28, 2025 |title=Saja Boys, Shaman Pop, and the Ethics of Self-Sacrifice |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/opinion/20250628/saja-boys-shaman-pop-and-the-ethics-of-self-sacrifice |work=[The Korea Times](/source/The_Korea_Times) |language=en |access-date=June 28, 2025 |archive-date=July 2, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250702060542/https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/opinion/20250628/saja-boys-shaman-pop-and-the-ethics-of-self-sacrifice |url-status=live}} Tizzard and Peter Debruge of ''Variety'' both highlighted the usage of the magpie and tiger,{{Cite magazine |last=Debruge |first=Peter |date=June 20, 2025 |title='K-Pop Demon Hunters' Review: High-Concept Toon Is as Catchy as the Korean Music Phenom That Inspired It |url=https://variety.com/2025/film/reviews/kpop-demon-hunters-review-1236437235/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250724113346/https://variety.com/2025/film/reviews/kpop-demon-hunters-review-1236437235/ |archive-date=July 24, 2025 |access-date=July 2, 2025 |magazine=[Variety](/source/Variety_(magazine)) |language=en-US}} which Tizzard noted as being affectionately reinterpreted from Korean tradition. Isaiah Colbert of ''[Io9](/source/Io9)'' praised the authentic musicality, such that even those watchers who are not fans of K-pop "would find themselves bobbing their head and humming along".{{Cite web |last=Colbert |first=Isaiah |date=June 19, 2025 |title='KPop Demon Hunters' Is a Hilarious, Kaleidoscopic, Monster-Hunting Bop |url=https://gizmodo.com/kpop-demon-hunters-review-netflix-twice-2000614916 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250621135417/https://gizmodo.com/kpop-demon-hunters-review-netflix-twice-2000614916 |archive-date=June 21, 2025 |access-date=June 19, 2025 |website=[Gizmodo](/source/Gizmodo) |language=en-US}} Debruge commented that because of the setting and immersion within the world of K-pop, the audience might not fully recognize the film is a musical. Wilson Chapman of ''[IndieWire](/source/IndieWire)'' thought the most impressive aspect of the music was the varied ways in which the songs are staged, such as a demon fight for "How It's Done", an opulent music video for "Golden", a creation montage for "Takedown", and an energetic dance number for "Soda Pop". Chapman considered this variation and versatility of the staging to be the means through which the K-pop elements are "a central and vital component of its storytelling", rather than a gimmick. Similarly, Tizzard noted a seamless integration of the music and narrative, commenting that the songs "aren't throwaway jingles; they're emotional climaxes." Goldberg wrote that the songs, while catchy, have plot stakes that serve to maintain tension. Angela Garcia of ''[SLUG](/source/SLUG_(magazine))'' wrote that due to the short runtime, ''KPop Demon Hunters'' "[feels] like it's only scratched the surface of both the world and characters", with many ideas having been left underdeveloped.{{Cite magazine |last=Garcia |first=Angela |date=June 30, 2025 |title=Film Review: KPop Demon Hunters |url=https://www.slugmag.com/arts/film/film-reviews/film-review-kpop-demon-hunters/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250722155614/https://www.slugmag.com/arts/film/film-reviews/film-review-kpop-demon-hunters/ |archive-date=July 22, 2025 |access-date=July 2, 2025 |magazine=[SLUG](/source/SLUG_(magazine)) |language=en-US}} Chapman also highlighted the short runtime, which he felt was both a benefit and the main flaw; by moving quickly, the film lacks depth at points, such as Mira and Zoey not receiving enough story focus, or not fully exploring Rumi's resentment towards Celine, and results in a rushed, underwhelming climax that provides an overly easy resolution. Goldberg also noted an occasional tonal whiplash, and argued that stronger character arcs were needed for Zoey and Mira leading into the climax to bridge the divide between the comic relief and its more emotional moments. Though Kelechi Ehenulo of ''[Empire](/source/Empire_(magazine))'' found some aspects predictable and rushed, he nonetheless stated that the film deserved its success, praising its energy, music, and themes. === Accolades === {{Main list|List of accolades received by KPop Demon Hunters{{!}}List of accolades received by ''KPop Demon Hunters'' }} ''KPop Demon Hunters'' garnered various awards, nominations, and accolades. It won Best Animated Feature at the [31st Critics' Choice Awards](/source/31st_Critics'_Choice_Awards),{{Cite magazine |url=https://variety.com/2026/film/news/critics-choice-awards-2026-winners-list-1236621119/ |title=Critics Choice Awards 2026: 'One Battle After Another' Wins Best Film, 'The Pitt,' 'Adolescence' and 'The Studio' Dominate TV Prizes |last=Lang |first=Brent |magazine=[Variety](/source/Variety_(magazine)) |date=January 4, 2026 |access-date=January 5, 2026 |archive-date=January 5, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260105214444/https://variety.com/2026/film/news/critics-choice-awards-2026-winners-list-1236621119/ |url-status=live}} the [83rd Golden Globe Awards](/source/83rd_Golden_Globe_Awards),{{Cite news |last=Nordyke |first=Kimberly |title=Golden Globes: Winners List |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/golden-globes-2026-winners-list/ |work=[The Hollywood Reporter](/source/The_Hollywood_Reporter) |date=January 11, 2026 |access-date=January 11, 2026 |archive-date=February 6, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260206214058/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/golden-globes-2026-winners-list/ |url-status=live}} and the [98th Academy Awards](/source/98th_Academy_Awards),{{Cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/oscars-2026-winners-list/ |title=Oscars: Winners List (Updating Live) |last=Nordyke |first=Kimberly |website=[Hollywood Reporter](/source/Hollywood_Reporter) |date=March 15, 2026 |access-date=March 15, 2026 |archive-url= |archive-date=}} along with being featured in ''[Time](/source/Time_(magazine))'' as its 2025 Breakthrough of the Year.{{Cite magazine |url=https://time.com/7338690/breakthrough-of-the-year-2025-kpop-demon-hunters/ |title=''KPop Demon Hunters'' Is Time's 2025 Breakthrough of the Year |first=Eliza |last=Berman |magazine=[Time](/source/Time_(magazine)) |date=December 9, 2025 |access-date=December 9, 2025 |language=en-US |archive-date=December 9, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251209141931/https://time.com/7338690/breakthrough-of-the-year-2025-kpop-demon-hunters/ |url-status=live}} The film also won ten awards at the [53rd Annie Awards](/source/53rd_Annie_Awards), including for [Best Feature](/source/Annie_Award_for_Best_Animated_Feature).{{Cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/2026-annie-awards-winners-list-kpop-demon-hunters-sweeps-1236510457/ |title='KPop Demon Hunters' Sweeps Annie Awards |last=Roxborough |first=Scott |website=[The Hollywood Reporter](/source/The_Hollywood_Reporter) |date=February 21, 2026 |access-date=February 22, 2026 |archive-date=February 22, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260222055957/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/2026-annie-awards-winners-list-kpop-demon-hunters-sweeps-1236510457/ |url-status=live}} The song "Golden", from the soundtrack, won Best Original Song at the Critics' Choice Awards, Golden Globes, and Academy Awards. The song won [Best Song Written for Visual Media](/source/Grammy_Award_for_Best_Song_Written_for_Visual_Media) at the [68th Grammy Awards](/source/68th_Grammy_Awards),{{Cite magazine |title='KPop Demon Hunters' Takes Home Trophy at 2026 Grammys |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2026/02/01/kpop-demon-hunters-wins-2026-grammys/88393215007/ |last=Shafiq |first=Saman |magazine=USA Today |date=February 2, 2026 |access-date=February 2, 2026 |archive-url= |archive-date=}} and won Best OST at the [2025 Melon Music Awards](/source/2025_Melon_Music_Awards) and [2025 MAMA Awards](/source/2025_MAMA_Awards);{{Cite news |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/entertainment/k-pop/20251221/g-dragon-sweeps-7-trophies-at-melon-music-awards-2025 |title=G-Dragon Sweeps 7 Trophies at Melon Music Awards 2025 |last=Baek |first=Byung-yeul |work=[The Korea Times](/source/The_Korea_Times) |date=December 21, 2025 |access-date=December 23, 2025 |archive-date=December 23, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251223184301/https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/entertainment/k-pop/20251221/g-dragon-sweeps-7-trophies-at-melon-music-awards-2025 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last=Kim |first=Yeon-ju |date=November 29, 2025 |url=https://www.hankookilbo.com/News/Read/A2025112920360004477 |script-title=ko:'케데헌', '2025 마마 어워즈' 2관왕 달성 |title='kedeheon', '2025 mama eowojeu' 2gwan-wang dalseong |trans-title='KDH' Achieves Two Awards at the '2025 MAMA Awards' |website=[Hankook Ilbo](/source/Hankook_Ilbo) |language=ko |access-date=November 29, 2025 |archive-date=January 30, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260130065602/https://www.hankookilbo.com/news/article/A2025112920360004477 |url-status=live}} the song is the first K-pop song to win a Grammy Award or an Academy Award.{{Cite web |last=Tangcay |first=Jazz |date=February 1, 2026 |title='Golden' From 'KPop Demon Hunters' Becomes First K-Pop Grammy Winner Ever |url=https://variety.com/2026/music/news/kpop-demons-hunters-grammy-win-1236646031/ |access-date=February 2, 2026 |website=[Variety](/source/Variety_(magazine)) |language=en-US |archive-url= |archive-date=}}{{Cite web |last=Yang |first=Angela |last2=Acevedo |first2=Nicole |date=February 1, 2026 |title='KPop Demon Hunters' makes Grammys history |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/kpop-demon-hunters-makes-grammys-history-rcna256974 |access-date=February 2, 2026 |website=[NBC News](/source/NBC_News) |language=en}}{{Cite news |url=https://abc7chicago.com/live-updates/oscars-2026-live-updates-see-winners-best-moments-98th-academy-awards-hollywood/18673293/entry/18673424/ |title='Golden' is 1st K-Pop song to win Oscar for Best Original Song |work=[ABC 7 Chicago](/source/ABC_7_Chicago) |date=March 15, 2026 |access-date=March 18, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260515170254/https://abc7chicago.com/live-updates/oscars-2026-live-updates-see-winners-best-moments-98th-academy-awards-hollywood/18673293/entry/18673424/ |archive-date=May 15, 2026 |url-status=live }} Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami were honored at the 2026 [Billboard Women in Music](/source/Billboard_Women_in_Music) for their work as the singing voices of Huntrix; this marked the first time a group had been collectively awarded.{{Cite magazine |last=Dailey |first=Hannah |date=March 11, 2026 |title=HUNTR/X Singers EJAE, AUDREY NUNA & REI AMI Are Billboard's 2026 Women of the Year |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/huntrx-2026-billboard-women-year-ejae-audrey-nuna-rei-ami-1236196379/ |access-date=March 11, 2026 |magazine=[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine)) |language=en-US |archive-url= |archive-date=}} == Cultural impact == thumb|Attendees of a theatrical sing-along screening, cosplaying as the film's characters|alt=Group shot of four people wearing cosplay. The person on the left is dressed as Bobby. The other three are wearing Huntrix "Golden" outfits; one person is slightly crouched in front of the other two, holding a small blue tiger plush. ''KPop Demon Hunters'' furthered the visibility and popularity of South Korean culture as part of the [Korean Wave](/source/Korean_Wave) and inspired an expansive [fandom](/source/fandom). The film's popularity has been described as surprising and unexpected;Multiple sources:{{Bulleted list| | {{Cite web |last=McClintock |first=Pamela |date=August 19, 2025 |title=Box Office: 'KPop Demon Hunters Sing-Along' Books Over 1,700 Cinemas, 1,000 Shows Sell Out |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/kpop-demon-hunters-singalong-box-office-sells-out-1236348539/ |access-date=August 20, 2025 |website=[The Hollywood Reporter](/source/The_Hollywood_Reporter) |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250928170815/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/kpop-demon-hunters-singalong-box-office-sells-out-1236348539/ |archive-date=September 28, 2025 |url-status=live}} | {{Cite news |last=Maxfield |first=Joe |title='KPop Demon Hunters' A Golden Moment for Korean Culture |url=https://abc7.com/post/kpop-demon-hunters-becomes-global-hit-billboard-chart-topper-golden-powerful-celebration-korean-culture/17931768/ |work=[ABC 7](/source/KABC-TV) |date=October 3, 2025 |access-date=November 17, 2025 |archive-date=October 3, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251003195331/https://abc7.com/post/kpop-demon-hunters-becomes-global-hit-billboard-chart-topper-golden-powerful-celebration-korean-culture/17931768/ |url-status=live}} | {{Cite news |last=Deb |first=Sopan |title='KPop Demon Hunters' Has Everyone Bobbing Their Heads. Especially Parents. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/22/arts/kpop-demon-hunters-netflix.html |work=[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times) |date=August 22, 2025 |access-date=November 17, 2025 |archive-date=August 22, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250822114944/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/22/arts/kpop-demon-hunters-netflix.html |url-access=subscription}} |{{Cite news |last1=Chafkin |first1=Max |last2=Vanek Smith |first2=Stacey |title=Did KPop Demon Hunters Kill Hollywood or Save It |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-09-05/podcast-did-kpop-demon-hunters-kill-hollywood-or-save-it |work=[Bloomberg News](/source/Bloomberg_News) |date=September 11, 2025 |access-date=November 17, 2025 |archive-date=September 11, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250911084601/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-09-05/podcast-did-kpop-demon-hunters-kill-hollywood-or-save-it |url-access=subscription}} }} its streaming success was compared by Nate Jones of ''[Vulture](/source/Vulture_(website))'' to that of [Disney](/source/The_Walt_Disney_Company)'s ''[Encanto](/source/Encanto)'' (2021).{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Nate |date=August 22, 2025 |title=Will Things Stay Golden for KPop Demon Hunters at the Oscars? |url=https://www.vulture.com/article/kpop-demon-hunters-oscar-academy-awards-chances-soundtrack-golden.html |access-date=August 29, 2025 |website=[Vulture](/source/Vulture_(website)) |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250826052411/https://www.vulture.com/article/kpop-demon-hunters-oscar-academy-awards-chances-soundtrack-golden.html |archive-date=August 26, 2025}} Drew Taylor of ''TheWrap'' described it as a widespread phenomenon, citing the popularity of the soundtrack album, and Netflix's official shop adding a ''KPop Demon Hunters'' section, with T-shirts and plushies being among top five best-selling items of 2025.{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Drew |date=July 14, 2025 |title=Original Animated Movies Aren't Dead, They've Just Moved to Streaming {{!}} Analysis |url=https://www.thewrap.com/animated-original-films-theatrical-versus-streaming-analysis/ |url-access=subscription |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251017154425/https://www.thewrap.com/animated-original-films-theatrical-versus-streaming-analysis/ |archive-date=October 17, 2025 |access-date=October 5, 2025 |website=[TheWrap](/source/TheWrap) |language=en-US }} Others called the film an "animated sensation",{{cite magazine |last=Stephan |first=Katcy |date=August 13, 2025 |title='KPop Demon Hunters' Stars on Making Goofy Girls 'Feel Seen' and Sequel Hopes: 'Rescue Jinu!' |url=https://variety.com/2025/film/news/kpop-demon-hunters-arden-cho-may-hong-ji-young-joo-1236488578/ |magazine=[Variety](/source/Variety_(magazine)) |access-date=October 5, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250922075938/https://variety.com/2025/film/news/kpop-demon-hunters-arden-cho-may-hong-ji-young-joo-1236488578/ |archive-date=September 22, 2025 |url-status=live}} a "potential gold mine" for Netflix,{{cite news |last1=Jie |first1=Lim Hui |last2=Baek |first2=Blair |date=August 14, 2025 |title=Netflix Wanted to Beat Disney in Family Animation. 'KPop Demon Hunters' Is Its Best Chance |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/15/kpop-demon-hunters-netflix-versus-disney-in-family-animation.html |work=[CNBC](/source/CNBC) |access-date=October 5, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250903111135/https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/15/kpop-demon-hunters-netflix-versus-disney-in-family-animation.html |archive-date=September 3, 2025 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription}} a "smash hit movie",{{Cite news |last=Maguire |first=Adam |date=September 8, 2025 |title=Golden Rule: How Netflix & Sony Were Caught Off-Guard by Their KPop Smash Hit |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2025/0906/1532062-kpop-hunters-netflix/ |work=[Raidió Teilifís Éireann](/source/Raidi%C3%B3_Teilif%C3%ADs_%C3%89ireann) |access-date=October 5, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250906073557/https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2025/0906/1532062-kpop-hunters-netflix/ |archive-date=September 6, 2025 |url-status=live}} and the "biggest hit of Hollywood's summer".{{Cite news |last1=Luna |first1=Itzel |last2=Coyle |first2=Jake |date=August 24, 2025 |title='KPop Demon Hunters' Gives Netflix Its First Box-Office Win |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/netflix-los-angeles-sony-pictures-comscore-amc-b2813366.html |work=[The Independent](/source/The_Independent) |access-date=October 5, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250929152002/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/netflix-los-angeles-sony-pictures-comscore-amc-b2813366.html |archive-date=September 29, 2025 |url-status=live}} ''[The Cut](/source/The_Cut_(publication))'' said the characters, storyline, and soundtrack as reasons for its popularity, with Yoohyun Jung of ''[The Boston Globe](/source/The_Boston_Globe)'' suggesting that integration of Korean culture into the story was another reason for why it is popular.{{cite magazine |last=Zhang |first=Cat |date=August 25, 2025 |title=Why Is KPop Demon Hunters So Popular? |url=https://www.thecut.com/article/why-is-kpop-demon-hunters-so-popular-explainer.html |magazine=[The Cut](/source/The_Cut_(publication)) |access-date=October 5, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250928051041/https://www.thecut.com/article/why-is-kpop-demon-hunters-so-popular-explainer.html |archive-date=September 28, 2025 |url-status=live}} In late September, [Luminate](/source/Luminate_(company)) made a presentation at the All That Matters conference in [Singapore](/source/Singapore) about insights from global and [APAC](/source/Asia-Pacific) music, saying that multi-media cross-promotion helped the performance, with over two-thirds of audio streams from the soundtrack coming from outside of the United States. Luminate also described the film as a "transmedia hit".{{cite magazine |last=Ramachandran |first=Naman |date=September 29, 2025 |title='Kpop Demon Hunters' Case Study Anchors Luminate's APAC Music Insights at All That Matters |url=https://variety.com/2025/music/news/kpop-demon-hunters-luminate-apac-music-1236533713/ |magazine=[Variety](/source/Variety_(magazine)) |access-date=October 5, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251001034102/https://variety.com/2025/music/news/kpop-demon-hunters-luminate-apac-music-1236533713/ |archive-date=October 1, 2025 |url-status=live}} Sara Leila Sherman and Morton Sherman wrote in ''[Psychology Today](/source/Psychology_Today)'' that ''KPop Demon Hunters'' became "more than entertainment", with [sing alongs](/source/sing_alongs) bringing people together.{{cite web |last1=Sherman |first1=Sara Leila |last2=Sherman |first2=Morton |date=August 29, 2025 |title=Why Everyone's Singing Along to K-Pop Demon Hunters |url=https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/resonant-minds/202508/why-everyones-singing-along-to-k-pop-demon-hunters |website=[Psychology Today](/source/Psychology_Today) |access-date=October 5, 2025 |archive-url=https://megalodon.jp/2026-0224-2219-20/https://www.psychologytoday.com:443/us/blog/resonant-minds/202508/why-everyones-singing-along-to-k-pop-demon-hunters |archive-date=February 24, 2026 |url-status=live}} On September 12, Lars Brandle reported on ''Billboard'' that the soundtrack made up seven of the top twenty songs on the [ARIA Singles Chart](/source/ARIA_Singles_Chart), and had led the chart for seven consecutive weeks.{{cite magazine |last=Brandle |first=Lars |date=September 12, 2025 |title='KPop Demon Hunters' Collects Another ARIA Chart Double |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/kpop-demon-hunters-another-aria-chart-double-1236065204/ |magazine=[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine)) |access-date=October 5, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250912102103/https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/kpop-demon-hunters-another-aria-chart-double-1236065204/ |archive-date=September 12, 2025 |url-status=live}} Writing for ''Billboard'' that day, Thomas Smith noted that "Golden" topped the UK charts for a sixth consecutive week, becoming only the second K-pop song to do so.{{cite magazine |last=Smith |first=Thomas |date=September 12, 2025 |title='KPop Demon Hunters' Slay the Competition as 'Golden' Hits 6th Week as #1 Single in the UK |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/kpop-demon-hunters-golden-number-one-single-uk-sixth-week-1236065730/ |magazine=[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine)) |access-date=October 5, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250918083651/https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/kpop-demon-hunters-golden-number-one-single-uk-sixth-week-1236065730/ |archive-date=September 18, 2025 |url-status=live}} The film also made its way into sports and other popular culture. On September 2 at the [US Open](/source/US_Open_(tennis)), [Novak Djokovic](/source/Novak_Djokovic), after winning a tennis match with [Taylor Fritz](/source/Taylor_Fritz), did a dance inspired by the song "Soda Pop".{{cite magazine |last=Romano |first=Nick |date=September 5, 2025 |title=KPop Demon Hunters Team React to Novak Djokovic Doing the 'Soda Pop' Dance at U.S. Open: 'It's just wild, man!' (Exclusive) |url=https://ew.com/kpop-demon-hunters-directors-react-novak-djokovic-soda-pop-dance-exclusive-11804829 |magazine=[Entertainment Weekly](/source/Entertainment_Weekly) |access-date=October 5, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250906183424/https://ew.com/kpop-demon-hunters-directors-react-novak-djokovic-soda-pop-dance-exclusive-11804829 |archive-date=September 6, 2025 |url-status=live}} The film was also featured in a ''[Saturday Night Live](/source/Saturday_Night_Live)'' sketch on its [season premiere](/source/Saturday_Night_Live_season_51) hosted by [Bad Bunny](/source/Bad_Bunny), and included cameos from Ejae, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami performing 30-second snippets from the songs "Golden" and "How It's Done" live, with [Bowen Yang](/source/Bowen_Yang) portraying the character Jinu and singing lyrics from "Soda Pop".{{cite magazine |last=Fell |first=Nicole |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/kpop-demon-hunters-ejae-rei-ami-audrey-nuna-snl-golden-1236393310/ |title='KPop Demon Hunters' Singers Make Surprise 'SNL' Appearance With First-Ever "Golden" Performance |magazine=[The Hollywood Reporter](/source/The_Hollywood_Reporter) |date=October 4, 2025 |access-date=October 5, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251005135720/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/kpop-demon-hunters-ejae-rei-ami-audrey-nuna-snl-golden-1236393310/ |archive-date=October 5, 2025 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |url=https://deadline.com/2025/10/snl-kpop-demon-hunters-singers-cameo-bad-bunny-1236570429/ |title='SNL': 'KPop Demon Hunters' Singers Make Surprise Cameo In Skit Sending Up Popular Netflix Film |work=[Deadline Hollywood](/source/Deadline_Hollywood) |date=October 4, 2025 |access-date=October 5, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251005135052/https://deadline.com/2025/10/snl-kpop-demon-hunters-singers-cameo-bad-bunny-1236570429/ |archive-date=October 5, 2025 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last=Lanuza Sáenz |first=Lissete |url=https://remezcla.com/film/watch-kpop-demon-hunters-make-surprise-cameo-during-bad-bunny-sketch-on-snl/ |title=WATCH: KPop Demon Hunters Make Surprise Cameo During Bad Bunny Sketch on SNL |website=[Remezcla](/source/Remezcla) |date=October 5, 2025 |access-date=October 5, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251005134928/https://remezcla.com/film/watch-kpop-demon-hunters-make-surprise-cameo-during-bad-bunny-sketch-on-snl/ |archive-date=October 5, 2025 |url-status=live}} On October 7, Ejae, Nuna and Rei Ami gave a full-length performance of "Golden" during an episode of ''[The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon](/source/The_Tonight_Show_Starring_Jimmy_Fallon)'', along with being interviewed by the host.{{Cite magazine |last=Hailu |first=Selome |url=https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/kpop-demon-hunters-perform-jimmy-fallon-tonight-show-1236533601/ |title='KPop Demon Hunters' Singers Set First-Ever Live Performance on 'Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon' |magazine=[Variety](/source/Variety_(magazine)) |language=en-US |date=September 29, 2025 |access-date=September 29, 2025 |archive-date=October 2, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251002213508/https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/kpop-demon-hunters-perform-jimmy-fallon-tonight-show-1236533601/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |url=https://apnews.com/article/jimmy-fallon-kpop-demon-hunters-d57dc48cc28b440237cb555351d57e00 |title=Demon-hunting Huntr/x to Debut Live Performance on 'The Tonight Show' Next Week |work=[Associated Press](/source/Associated_Press) |date=September 29, 2025 |access-date=October 5, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250930133427/https://apnews.com/article/jimmy-fallon-kpop-demon-hunters-d57dc48cc28b440237cb555351d57e00 |archive-date=September 30, 2025 |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last=Evans |first=Greg |date=September 29, 2025 |title='KPop Demon Hunters' Singers Set Debut Live Performance on 'Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon' |url=https://deadline.com/2025/09/kpop-demon-hunters-tonight-show-jimmy-fallon-1236564885/ |access-date=September 29, 2025 |work=[Deadline](/source/Deadline_Hollywood) |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251001230451/https://deadline.com/2025/09/kpop-demon-hunters-tonight-show-jimmy-fallon-1236564885/ |archive-date=October 1, 2025 |url-status=live}} The singers repeated a performance of "Golden" during the 99th annual [Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade](/source/Macy's_Thanksgiving_Day_Parade) in New York City on November 27, alongside a balloon themed after Jinu's pet tiger.{{Cite magazine |last=Peters |first=Mitchell |date=November 27, 2025 |title=Huntr/x Brings 'KPop Demon Hunters' to 2025 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade With 'Golden' Performance |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/huntrx-golden-2025-macys-thanksgiving-day-parade-1236124374/ |access-date=November 27, 2025 |magazine=[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine)) |archive-date=February 21, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260221092840/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/huntrx-golden-2025-macys-thanksgiving-day-parade-1236124374/ |url-status=live}} ===Korean Wave=== ''KPop Demon Hunters'' has been noted within the context of the Korean Wave, a global increase in popularity of [South Korean culture and media](/source/Culture_of_South_Korea) that has acted as a form of [soft power](/source/soft_power) for the country.{{Cite magazine |last=Kao |first=Grace |date=September 19, 2025 |title='KPop Demon Hunters' Leads the Wave Back to Korea |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/09/19/kpop-demon-hunters-netflix-south-korea-culture-music/ |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251223130709/https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/09/19/kpop-demon-hunters-netflix-south-korea-culture-music/ |archive-date=December 23, 2025 |access-date=October 16, 2025 |magazine=[Foreign Policy](/source/Foreign_Policy) |language=en-US}}{{cite journal |first1=Xin |last1=Fan |first2=Salas |last2=Supalakwatchana |date=September 30, 2025 |title=KPop Demon Hunters: Cultural Representation in Contemporary Korean Animation |journal=Asian Journal of Arts and Culture |volume=26 |number=1 |pages=e16 |doi=10.48048/ajac.2026.16 |url=https://ajaclibrary.wu.ac.th/index.php/ajac/article/view/16/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251019010504/https://ajaclibrary.wu.ac.th/index.php/ajac/article/view/16 |archive-date=October 19, 2025 |url-status=live}}{{Cite journal |last=Yoo |first=Seung-Chul |date=November 6, 2025 |title=''K-Pop Demon Hunters'' and Digital Cultural Diplomacy: Measuring Brand Identity-Image Convergence in Animated K-Content |volume=6 |issue=5 |doi=10.3390/tourhosp6050236 |doi-access=free |journal=[Tourism and Hospitality](/source/Tourism_and_Hospitality) |page=236}} Some, like Korean cultural scholar Park Jihyon, said that the popularity could likely become a major turning point in the Korean Wave's history.{{cite news |last=Lee |first=Michelle Ye Hee |date=September 13, 2025 |title=South Korea Is Going Wild for 'KPop Demon Hunters,' Made in the U.S. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/09/13/kpop-demon-hunters-south-korea/ |newspaper=[The Washington Post](/source/The_Washington_Post) |access-date=October 5, 2025 |archive-url= |archive-date=}} Researchers such as Xin Fan and Salas Supalakwatchana have commented on the film as "a major cultural product within the Korean soft power landscape", and as a demonstration of the medium of animation as being "capable of merging entertainment value with strategic cultural promotion". Cho Jae-hyon of ''[Hankook Ilbo](/source/Hankook_Ilbo)'' opined that ''KPop Demon Hunters'' represents a new phase of the Korean Wave, in which Korean-themed content would be produced abroad rather than being created within South Korea and then exported. With ''KPop Demon Hunters'', Cho highlighted the production team as largely being non-Korean.{{Cite news |last=Cho |first=Jae-hyon |date=August 30, 2025 |title='KPop Demon Hunters' Signals Rise of 'Next K' Era Beyond Borders |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/entertainment/shows-dramas/20250830/kpop-demon-hunters-signals-rise-of-next-k-era-beyond-borders |access-date=October 16, 2025 |work=[Hankook Ilbo](/source/Hankook_Ilbo) |language=en |id={{ProQuest|3244932996}} |archive-date=September 7, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250907213307/https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/entertainment/shows-dramas/20250830/kpop-demon-hunters-signals-rise-of-next-k-era-beyond-borders |url-status=live}} Moon Dong-yeol of ''[The Hankyoreh](/source/The_Hankyoreh)'' similarly argued that ''KPop Demon Hunters'' represents a denationalization of the Korean Wave, not being limited to production solely within South Korea.{{Cite web |last=Moon |first=Dong-yeol |date=August 17, 2025 |title='KPop Demon Hunters' and Hallyu's Shift From Export to Global Collaboration |url=https://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_entertainment/1213624.html |access-date=October 16, 2025 |website=[The Hankyoreh](/source/The_Hankyoreh) |language=en |archive-date=August 17, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250817040828/https://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_entertainment/1213624.html |url-status=live}} Both Cho and Min Seong-jae of ''The Korea Times'' have highlighted this new phase of the Korean Wave as being influenced by [Korean diaspora](/source/Korean_diaspora) creators,{{Cite news |last=Min |first=Seong-jae |date=September 1, 2025 |title=Hallyu from Korean diaspora |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/opinion/20250901/hallyu-from-korean-diaspora |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250901221832/https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/opinion/20250901/hallyu-from-korean-diaspora |archive-date=September 1, 2025 |access-date=November 22, 2025 |work=[The Korea Times](/source/The_Korea_Times) |language=en}} with Cho noting that "Maggie Kang, a Korean Canadian, drew on her childhood memories of K-content to create the film." Grace Kao, for ''[Foreign Policy](/source/Foreign_Policy)'', similarly noted the presence of many Korean diaspora songwriters and artists as part of the making of ''KPop Demon Hunters'', and compared this to the indebtedness of K-pop to diaspora Koreans participating in music industries of the United States, Canada, and Australia. Kao additionally characterized ''KPop Demon Hunters'' as a rebuke of a localization trend within K-pop, where local cultural elements are given emphasis over strictly Korean ones. She said it "shows that consumers are not looking for a product stripped of Korean cultural elements or Koreans themselves" and that it is not necessary for media to emulate American pop culture in order to achieve success. Michelle Yee Hee Lee of ''[The Washington Post](/source/The_Washington_Post)'' wrote that ''KPop Demon Hunters'' had been overwhelmingly embraced by South Korea, even by businesses and government, due to its broad appeal as an animated film, with products and events based around the film. Hae-rin Lee of ''The Korea Times'' said the global popularity boosted [tourism in South Korea](/source/tourism_in_South_Korea), with fans interested in South Korea pop culture visiting recording studios, museum shops, cafés, and other attractions, including locations shown in the film, such as [Namsan](/source/Namsan), [Naksan Park Fortress Trail](/source/Seoul_City_Wall), and [Bukchon Hanok Village](/source/Bukchon_Hanok_Village). Some businesses have released products related to the film, while fans are said to be embracing the food the main characters are shown eating.{{cite news |last=Lee |first=Hae-rin |date=August 31, 2025 |title=Global Popularity of 'KPop Demon Hunters' Reshapes Korea's Tourism Map |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/lifestyle/travel-food/20250831/global-popularity-of-kpop-demon-hunters-reshapes-koreas-tourism-map |work=[The Korea Times](/source/The_Korea_Times) |access-date=October 5, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250928035429/https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/lifestyle/travel-food/20250831/global-popularity-of-kpop-demon-hunters-reshapes-koreas-tourism-map |archive-date=September 28, 2025 |url-status=live}} The [National Museum of Korea](/source/National_Museum_of_Korea) in Seoul drew more than five million visitors, an unprecedented total that ranks it alongside the [Metropolitan Museum of Art](/source/Metropolitan_Museum_of_Art) in New York City and the [British Museum](/source/British_Museum) in London. This surge was partly credited to the widespread popularity of ''KPop Demon Hunters''.{{Cite news |last=Ables |first=Kelsey |date=November 20, 2025 |title=In Time For 'KPop Demon Hunters' Mania, A Major Korean Art Show Lands in the U.S. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/art/2025/11/20/korean-treasures-smithsonian/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=November 21, 2025 |newspaper=[The Washington Post](/source/The_Washington_Post) |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286 |archive-url= |archive-date=}} Seoul's [Leeum Museum of Art](/source/Leeum_Museum_of_Art) opened an exhibition focused on tiger and magpie {{lang|ko-latn|minhwa}}, including a {{lang|ko-latn|Hojak-do}} painting from 1592 which is considered the oldest surviving piece in this style.{{Cite news |last=Park |first=Yuna |date=September 9, 2025 |title=Dress Up Like 'KPop Demon Hunters,' Discover Magpies, Tigers |url=https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10571859 |work=[The Korea Herald](/source/The_Korea_Herald) |language=en |access-date=November 21, 2025 |archive-date=December 1, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251201223042/https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10571859 |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last=Mesmer |first=Philippe |date=November 11, 2025 |title=The Tiger and the Magpie, from Korean Mythology to Netflix Screens |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2025/11/11/the-tiger-and-the-magpie-from-korean-mythology-to-netflix-screens_6747324_4.html |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251112070640/https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2025/11/11/the-tiger-and-the-magpie-from-korean-mythology-to-netflix-screens_6747324_4.html |archive-date=November 12, 2025 |access-date=November 21, 2025 |work=[Le Monde](/source/Le_Monde) |language=en |url-status=bot: unknown }} Sookyung Seo of ''[The Korea Economic Daily](/source/The_Korea_Economic_Daily)'' wrote that, partially due to the film's popularity, over 1.36 million international tourists were drawn to Seoul in July 2025, an increase of 23.1% from the same month in 2024, and of 18% from July 2019, according to the [Seoul Metropolitan Government](/source/Seoul_Metropolitan_Government)'s data, and said to be the "largest monthly tally ever recorded".{{cite news |last=Seo |first=Sookyung |date=September 3, 2025 |title=KPop Demon Hunters' Fever Draws Record Foreign Visitors to Seoul |url=https://www.kedglobal.com/travel-leisure/newsView/ked202509030010 |work=[The Korea Economic Daily](/source/The_Korea_Economic_Daily) |access-date=October 5, 2025 |archive-date=September 12, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250912141048/https://www.kedglobal.com/travel-leisure/newsView/ked202509030010 |url-status=live}} === Fandom === [[File:KPop Demon Hunters panel at GalaxyCon St.Louis - 06.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|[May Hong](/source/May_Hong), Danny Chung, Alan Lee, the stage host, and fans at [GalaxyCon](/source/GalaxyCon) in [St. Louis, Missouri](/source/St._Louis%2C_Missouri) on October 11, 2025|alt=Group shot taken from the stage, facing the audience. The celebrities are crouched down with their backs to the audience while the audience is mostly standing to pose for the photo. Many people in the audience are wearing cosplay.]] ''KPop Demon Hunters'' has been noted as a cultural phenomenon by a variety of media outlets, many highlighting the soundtrack, characters, and story, as well as homages to anime and representation of fandom and Asian cultures.{{Cite news |last=Phillips |first=Maya |date=August 28, 2025 |title=The Overlooked Element to the 'KPop Demon Hunters' Phenomenon |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/28/movies/kpop-demon-hunters-fandom.html |access-date=August 29, 2025 |newspaper=[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times) |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250829042708/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/28/movies/kpop-demon-hunters-fandom.html |archive-date=August 29, 2025 |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last=Ku |first=Yuna |date=August 29, 2025 |title='The Details Were Almost Perfect': Kpop Demon Hunters Sparks Pride in Korea |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz0yzxx3x08o |access-date=August 29, 2025 |work=[BBC News](/source/BBC_News) |language=en-GB |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250830131742/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cz0yzxx3x08o |archive-date=August 30, 2025 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Mello-Klein |first=Cody |date=August 26, 2025 |title=How Did Netflix's 'KPop Demon Hunters' Take Over the World and Become a Global Phenomenon? |url=https://news.northeastern.edu/2025/08/26/kpop-demon-hunters-netflix/ |access-date=August 29, 2025 |website=[Northeastern Global News](/source/Northeastern_Global_News) |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250830131913/https://news.northeastern.edu/2025/08/26/kpop-demon-hunters-netflix/ |archive-date=August 30, 2025 |url-status=live}} Others noted that dance sequences had become popular on the social media platform [TikTok](/source/TikTok), and that [fanart](/source/fanart) had flooded other social media websites. Within South Korea, fans called the fandom "KeDeHun". The film's success was also seen as a success for its representation of Asian characters in pop culture, with children not having to look to "[Pixar](/source/Pixar) or [Disney princess](/source/Disney_princess)es for costume inspiration".{{cite news |last=Wang |first=Claire |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/kpop-demon-hunters-halloween-costume-rcna234720 |title='KPop Demon Hunters' Is a Top Halloween Costume, and Asian Kids Are Loving the Representation |work=[NBC News](/source/NBC_News) |date=October 12, 2025 |access-date=October 30, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251030182945/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/kpop-demon-hunters-halloween-costume-rcna234720 |archive-date=October 30, 2025 |url-status=live}} [BBC News](/source/BBC_News) reported on dance classes themed on K-pop, particularly songs from the film, in [Belfast](/source/Belfast), and said that K-pop has gained increased visibility.{{cite news |last1=Murray |first1=Amy |last2=Baz |first2=Zahra |date=September 1, 2025 |title=KPop Demon Hunters Captures Spirit Of Our Fandom |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1kzxywzejeo |work=[BBC News](/source/BBC_News) |access-date=October 5, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250912052729/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1kzxywzejeo |archive-date=September 12, 2025 |url-status=live}} Alex Vadukul of ''[New York Times](/source/New_York_Times)'' noted that an intense fandom had formed around Huntrix and the Saja Boys, and noted that [May Hong](/source/May_Hong), who voices Mira, said it was "crazy being on the receiving end of [the film's] fandom."{{cite news |last=Vadukul |first=Alex |date=August 25, 2025 |title=K-Pop Fans Sing the Demons Away |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/25/style/kpop-demon-hunters-singalong-paris-theater-nyc.html |work=[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times) |access-date=October 5, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251003083405/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/25/style/kpop-demon-hunters-singalong-paris-theater-nyc.html |archive-date=October 3, 2025 |url-status=live}} Yvonne Kim of ''[The Atlantic](/source/The_Atlantic)'' said that ''KPop Demon Hunters'' transforms fandom "from a hobby into an action of creation". She added that it acknowledges the "sometimes-parasitic relationship between artist and listener" and the "unilateral power" of performers, and said that the fans are not different from their real-life counterparts.{{cite magazine |last=Kim |first=Yvonne |date=September 12, 2025 |title=The Fandom Fueling Netflix's Most Popular Movie Ever |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2025/09/kpop-demon-hunters-fans/684177/ |magazine=[The Atlantic](/source/The_Atlantic) |access-date=October 5, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250925140240/https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2025/09/kpop-demon-hunters-fans/684177/ |archive-date=September 25, 2025 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription}} There has been an [internet challenge](/source/internet_challenge) involving ramen noodles, based on [ramyun](/source/ramyun) eaten by Rumi, Zoey, and Mira, while singing the song "How It's Done". It was reported that this resulted in severe burns and hospitalization among some fans who tried to recreate this scene, with doctors and hospitals warning about the dangers of eating instant noodles in extremely hot water, suggesting people eat the noodles more carefully.{{cite web |last=Robertson |first=Rachael |url=https://www.medpagetoday.com/popmedicine/cultureclinic/117790 |title='KPop Demon Hunters' Ramen Noodle Challenge May Put Kids at Risk of Burns |date=October 3, 2025 |website=[MedPage Today](/source/MedPage_Today) |access-date=October 5, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251005075735/https://www.medpagetoday.com/popmedicine/cultureclinic/117790 |archive-date=October 5, 2025 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Battiste |first1=Nikki |last2=Moniuszko |first2=Nikki |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kpop-demon-hunters-ramen-trend-burns-doctor-warning/ |title=Ramen Trend Inspired By "KPop Demon Hunters" Causing Serious Burns, Doctors Warn |work=[CBS News](/source/CBS_News) |date=October 1, 2025 |access-date=October 5, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251002133639/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kpop-demon-hunters-ramen-trend-burns-doctor-warning/ |archive-date=October 2, 2025 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/2025/10/03/nx-s1-5558128/slurp-with-care-kpop-demon-hunters-instant-noodle-trend-can-cause-burn-injuries |title=Slurp With Care: 'KPop Demon Hunters' Instant Noodle Trend Can Cause Burn Injuries |work=[NPR](/source/NPR) |date=October 3, 2025 |access-date=October 5, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251003101007/https://www.npr.org/2025/10/03/nx-s1-5558128/slurp-with-care-kpop-demon-hunters-instant-noodle-trend-can-cause-burn-injuries |archive-date=October 3, 2025 |url-status=live}} During the 2025 [Halloween](/source/Halloween) season, ''KPop Demon Hunters''-related costumes saw significant popularity, with Google searches for costumes of the characters dominating search rankings,{{cite news |last=Snider |first=Mike |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2025/10/09/halloween-2025-top-costumes-kpop-demon-hunters-labubu/86605507007/ |title='KPop Demon Hunters,' Labubu Among Google's Top-Searched-for Halloween Costumes |work=[USA Today](/source/USA_Today) |date=October 9, 2025 |access-date=October 30, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251012125356/https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2025/10/09/halloween-2025-top-costumes-kpop-demon-hunters-labubu/86605507007/ |archive-date=October 12, 2025 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last=Snelling |first=Grace |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/91421018/kpop-demon-hunters-costumes-will-dominate-halloween-this-year-can-retailers-keep-up-with-demand |title='KPop Demon Hunters' Costumes Will Dominate Halloween This Year. Can Retailers Keep Up With Demand? |website=[Fast Company](/source/Fast_Company) |date=October 30, 2025 |orig-date=October 13, 2025 |access-date=October 30, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251227081432/https://www.fastcompany.com/91421018/kpop-demon-hunters-costumes-will-dominate-halloween-this-year-can-retailers-keep-up-with-demand |archive-date=December 27, 2025 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last=Lopez |first=Gerrish |url=https://www.timeout.com/usa/news/here-is-this-years-most-popular-halloween-costume-according-to-google-102925 |title=Here Is This Year's Most Popular Halloween Costume According to Google |website=[Time Out](/source/Time_Out_(magazine)) |date=October 29, 2025 |access-date=October 30, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251030183410/https://www.timeout.com/usa/news/here-is-this-years-most-popular-halloween-costume-according-to-google-102925 |archive-date=October 30, 2025 |url-status=live}} and with costumes from major retailers like [Spirit Halloween](/source/Spirit_Halloween) quickly becoming sold out.{{Cite news |last=Ortiz |first=Aimee |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/30/business/kpop-demon-hunters-halloween-costume.html |title=Good Luck Finding a 'KPop Demon Hunters' Costume This Halloween |newspaper=[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times) |date=October 30, 2025 |access-date=October 30, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251030140631/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/30/business/kpop-demon-hunters-halloween-costume.html |archive-date=October 30, 2025 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription}}{{Cite web |last=Thompson |first=Nicole |url=https://www.piquenewsmagazine.com/the-mix/kpop-demon-hunters-to-take-over-the-streets-this-halloween-11407237 |title='KPop Demon Hunters' to Take Over the Streets This Halloween |work=[Pique Newsmagazine](/source/Pique_Newsmagazine) |agency=[The Canadian Press](/source/The_Canadian_Press) |date=October 28, 2025 |access-date=October 30, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251030182653/https://www.piquenewsmagazine.com/the-mix/kpop-demon-hunters-to-take-over-the-streets-this-halloween-11407237 |archive-date=October 30, 2025 |url-status=live}} Local news media from across the United States similarly noted the high popularity of ''KPop Demon Hunters'' costumes.Multiple sources:{{bulleted list| | {{cite news |last1=Johnson |first1=Marina |last2=Hudnall |first2=Hannah |url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/2025/10/10/top-halloween-costume-trends-2025-kpop-demon-hunters-most-popular-kentucky-louisville-lexington/86606303007/ |title='KPop Demon Hunters' Is Trending This Halloween. What Costumes Are Popular in Kentucky? |work=[Louisville Courier Journal](/source/Louisville_Courier_Journal) |date=October 10, 2025 |access-date=October 30, 2025 |archive-url=https://megalodon.jp/2026-0224-2258-56/https://www.courier-journal.com:443/story/news/local/2025/10/10/top-halloween-costume-trends-2025-kpop-demon-hunters-most-popular-kentucky-louisville-lexington/86606303007/ |archive-date=February 24, 2026 |url-status=live}} | {{cite web |last=Bolden |first=Bonnie |url=https://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2025/10/21/top-halloween-costumes-in-mississippi-kpop-demon-hunters-leads-us/86814501007/ |title=What Are the Most Popular Halloween Costumes in Mississippi? 'KPop Demon Hunters' Top US |website=[Clarion Ledger](/source/Clarion_Ledger) |date=October 21, 2025 |access-date=October 30, 2025 |archive-url=https://megalodon.jp/2026-0224-2300-12/https://www.clarionledger.com:443/story/news/2025/10/21/top-halloween-costumes-in-mississippi-kpop-demon-hunters-leads-us/86814501007/ |archive-date=February 24, 2026 |url-status=live}} | {{cite news |last=Neff |first=Emily |url=https://www.deseret.com/entertainment/2025/10/27/this-years-trending-halloween-costumes/ |title=What Utah and the U.S. Are Dressing as for Halloween 2025 |work=[Deseret](/source/Deseret_News) |date=October 27, 2025 |access-date=October 30, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251030183613/https://www.deseret.com/entertainment/2025/10/27/this-years-trending-halloween-costumes/ |archive-date=October 30, 2025 |url-status=live}} | {{cite web |last=Alexander |first=Jimmy |url=https://wtop.com/halloween-news/2025/10/yes-kpop-demon-hunters-halloween-costumes-are-in-dc-2/ |title=Yes, 'KPop Demon Hunters' Halloween Costumes Are in DC |publisher=[WTOP](/source/WTOP-FM) |date=October 11, 2025 |access-date=October 30, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251012003410/https://wtop.com/halloween-news/2025/10/yes-kpop-demon-hunters-halloween-costumes-are-in-dc-2/ |archive-date=October 12, 2025 |url-status=live}} | {{cite web |last1=Rau |first1=Nate |last2=Brastead |first2=Chelsea |url=https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/10/29/nashville-s-trendiest-halloween-costumes |title=Nashville's Trendiest Halloween Costumes |website=[Axios](/source/Axios_(website)) Nashville |date=October 29, 2025 |access-date=October 30, 2025 |quote=Nashville is apparently obsessed with 'KPop Demon Hunters.' |archive-date=January 5, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260105034903/https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/10/29/nashville-s-trendiest-halloween-costumes |url-status=live}} | {{cite web |last=Pettigrew |first=Jashayla |url=https://www.koin.com/entertainment-news/this-netflix-movie-took-over-portlands-list-of-popular-halloween-costumes/ |title=This Netflix Movie Took Over Portland's List of Popular Halloween Costumes |publisher=[KOIN](/source/KOIN) |date=October 26, 2025 |orig-date=October 24, 2025 |access-date=October 30, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251026162146/https://www.koin.com/entertainment-news/this-netflix-movie-took-over-portlands-list-of-popular-halloween-costumes/ |archive-date=October 26, 2025 |url-status=live}} | {{cite web |last=Brastead |first=Chelsea |url=https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/10/29/halloween-costume-kpop-demon-hunters-labubu |title=New Orleans' Trendiest Halloween Costumes |website=[Axios](/source/Axios_(website)) New Orleans |date=October 29, 2025 |access-date=October 30, 2025 |archive-date=October 30, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251030004152/https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/10/29/halloween-costume-kpop-demon-hunters-labubu |url-status=live}} | {{cite news |last=Sauvageau |first=Carly |date=October 15, 2025 |url=https://www.rgj.com/story/life/2025/10/15/halloween-costumes-reno-2025/86708599007/ |title=Bride of Frankenstein to Wednesday: What Nevadans Are Dressing Up as for Halloween |work=[Reno Gazette Journal](/source/Reno_Gazette_Journal) |access-date=October 30, 2025 |archive-url=https://megalodon.jp/2026-0224-2304-41/https://www.rgj.com:443/story/life/2025/10/15/halloween-costumes-reno-2025/86708599007/ |archive-date=February 24, 2026 |url-status=live}} | {{cite news |last1=Hudnall |first1=Hannah |last2=Foster |first2=Samantha |url=https://www.columbiatribune.com/story/entertainment/2025/10/10/top-trending-halloween-costumes-for-columbia-missouri/86606805007/ |title='KPop Demon Hunters' Is Trending This Halloween, but See What's Most Popular in Columbia |work=[Columbia Tribune](/source/Columbia_Tribune) |date=October 10, 2025 |access-date=October 30, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251010105147/https://www.columbiatribune.com/story/entertainment/2025/10/10/top-trending-halloween-costumes-for-columbia-missouri/86606805007/ |archive-date=October 10, 2025 |url-status=live}} }} == Future == === Sequel === In interviews with ''[Screen Rant](/source/Screen_Rant)'' and ''Variety'', director Maggie Kang expressed interest in a sequel and side stories to flesh out the ''KPop Demon Hunters'' universe. She said that many questions that were raised remain unanswered fully, with additional stories capable of being explored, such as potential backstories for Mira and Zoey.{{Cite magazine |last=Stephan |first=Katcy |date=July 1, 2025 |title=Inside the Viral Success of 'KPop Demon Hunters': 'Fashion, Weird Girls and Great Pop Music' |url=https://variety.com/2025/film/news/kpop-demon-hunters-soundtrack-success-1236444840/ |magazine=[Variety](/source/Variety_(magazine)) |language=en-US |access-date=July 28, 2025 |archive-date=July 23, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250723132555/https://variety.com/2025/film/news/kpop-demon-hunters-soundtrack-success-1236444840/ |url-status=live}} Director Chris Appelhans likewise told ''[People](/source/People_(magazine))'' that there were many pathways available for further stories.{{cite magazine |last=Stutsman |first=Samantha |date=July 12, 2025 |title=Will There Be a ''KPop Demon Hunters 2''? All About the Hit Film's Future |url=https://people.com/kpop-demon-hunters-2-everything-to-know-11769911 |magazine=[People](/source/People_(magazine)) |language=en-US |access-date=July 15, 2025 |archive-date=July 24, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250724115737/https://people.com/kpop-demon-hunters-2-everything-to-know-11769911 |url-status=live}} Matthew Belloni of ''Puck'' noted that, under the 2021 agreement between Sony and Netflix, Sony contractually holds the right to produce future installments of ''KPop Demon Hunters''; however, any such installments would likely, just as for the first film, be released for streaming onto Netflix. In July 2025, ''TheWrap'' reported that, following the success, Netflix had begun considering several potential follow-up projects, including two sequels, a television series, a short film, and a stage musical.{{Cite news |last=Taylor |first=Drew |title=How 'KPop Demon Hunters' Became Netflix's 'Frozen' {{!}} Exclusive |url=https://www.thewrap.com/kpop-demon-hunters-sequels-franchise-plans-netflix/ |work=[TheWrap](/source/TheWrap) |date=August 1, 2025 |orig-date=July 31, 2025 |access-date=August 1, 2025 |archive-date=August 1, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250801061748/https://www.thewrap.com/kpop-demon-hunters-sequels-franchise-plans-netflix/ |url-access=subscription |language=en-US}} In a statement to ''[Newsweek](/source/Newsweek)'', Netflix Films chairman [Dan Lin](/source/Dan_Lin) commented that the company was "excited to explore what could be the next adventure for Huntrix", while further stating that time would need to be taken for producing any future sequels, in order to ensure that the "flair and uniqueness" of the original film is retained.{{Cite magazine |date=August 12, 2025 |title='KPop Demon Hunters' Sequel Buzz: Everything We Know |first1=Suzanne |last1=Blake |url=https://www.newsweek.com/kpop-demon-hunters-2-sequel-rumors-netflix-2112451 |access-date=August 15, 2025 |magazine=[Newsweek](/source/Newsweek) |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250815185027/https://www.newsweek.com/kpop-demon-hunters-2-sequel-rumors-netflix-2112451 |archive-date=August 15, 2025 |url-status=live}} In August 2025, Belloni reported that Sony had just begun negotiations with Kang and Appelhans to both return for a follow-up project. On August 26, Pamela McClintock of ''The Hollywood Reporter'' stated that Sony Pictures and Netflix were in talks for the production of an animated sequel. On November 5, 2025, it was announced that a sequel was planned for release in 2029.{{cite magazine |last1=Rubin |first1=Rebecca |date=November 5, 2025 |title=''KPop Demon Hunters 2'' Aims for 2029 Release on Netflix |url=https://variety.com/2025/film/news/kpop-demon-hunters-2-2029-release-1236570536/ |magazine=[Variety](/source/Variety_(magazine)) |issn=0042-2738 |oclc=60626328 |access-date=November 5, 2025 |archive-date=February 19, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260219041009/https://variety.com/2025/film/news/kpop-demon-hunters-2-2029-release-1236570536/ |url-status=live}}{{cite magazine |last1=Delgado |first1=Sara |date=March 12, 2026 |title=Kpop Demon Hunters Sequel Confirmed, Eyeing 2029 Release |url=https://www.teenvogue.com/story/kpop-demon-hunters-sequel-everything-you-need-to-know |magazine=[Teen Vogue](/source/Teen_Vogue) |access-date=March 19, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250826091736/https://www.teenvogue.com/story/kpop-demon-hunters-sequel-everything-you-need-to-know |archive-date=August 26, 2025 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Edwards |first=Molly |date=November 6, 2025 |title=KPop Demon Hunters 2: everything we know about the Netflix sequel |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/animation-movies/kpop-demon-hunters-2-release-date-cast-trailer-plot-netflix/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 17, 2026 |website=[GamesRadar+](/source/GamesRadar%2B) |language=en |archive-date=February 25, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260225152547/https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/animation-movies/kpop-demon-hunters-2-release-date-cast-trailer-plot-netflix/}} However, in February 2026, Sony Pictures Animation president Kristine Belson suggested that the sequel would likely not be finished by 2029.{{cite magazine |last=Gajewski |first=Ryan |title=Sony Animation Bosses on 'KPop Demon Hunters 2,' 'Spider-Verse' Pressure and Betting on 'GOAT' |magazine=[The Hollywood Reporter](/source/The_Hollywood_Reporter) |date=February 12, 2026 |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/sony-kpop-demon-hunters-2-spider-verse-pressure-3-goat-1236503016/ |access-date=February 12, 2026 |archive-url= |archive-date=}}{{Cite magazine |last=Fell |first=Nicole |date=March 3, 2026 |title='KPop Demon Hunters' Directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans Are Bringing Their Crew to the Oscars |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/kpop-demon-hunters-maggie-kang-chris-oscars-interview-1236519984/ |access-date=March 4, 2026 |magazine=[The Hollywood Reporter](/source/The_Hollywood_Reporter) |language=en-US |archive-url= |archive-date=}} In March 2026, Kang and Appelhans were announced to be returning to write and direct.{{cite web |last1=Rubin |first1=Rebecca |title=''KPop Demon Hunters 2'' Confirmed by Netflix and Sony: 'This Is Only the Beginning' |url=https://variety.com/2026/film/news/kpop-demon-hunters-2-confirmed-netflix-sony-1236686126/ |website=[Variety](/source/Variety_(magazine)) |publisher=[Penske Media Corporation](/source/Penske_Media_Corporation) |access-date=March 12, 2026 |date=March 12, 2026 |archive-date=March 12, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260312185408/https://variety.com/2026/film/news/kpop-demon-hunters-2-confirmed-netflix-sony-1236686126/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last=Lee |first=Benjamin |date=March 12, 2026 |title=KPop Demon Hunters sequel confirmed at Netflix: 'This is only the beginning' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/mar/12/kpop-demon-hunters-sequel-netflix |access-date=March 13, 2026 |work=[The Guardian](/source/The_Guardian) |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |archive-url= |archive-date=}} Furthermore, Kang in the following month stated that the sequel is planned to be larger in scale and more eventful than its predecessor, while Ejae showed interest in exploring [trot](/source/Trot_(music)) and [heavy metal](/source/Heavy_metal_music) in the planned film.{{Cite news |last=Byung-yeul |first=Baek |date=April 1, 2026 |title='KPop Demon Hunters 2' will be bigger, more eventful: directors - The Korea Times |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/entertainment/films/20260401/kpop-demon-hunters-2-will-be-bigger-more-eventful-directors |access-date=April 2, 2026 |work=[The Korea Times](/source/The_Korea_Times) |language=en |archive-date=April 1, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260401105119/https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/entertainment/films/20260401/kpop-demon-hunters-2-will-be-bigger-more-eventful-directors |url-status=live}} === Short film === On March 29, 2023, Sony announced that their LENS mentorship program would produce a short film based on ''KPop Demon Hunters'' after the release of the [Spider-Verse](/source/Spider-Verse_(franchise)) short film ''[The Spider Within](/source/The_Spider_Within%3A_A_Spider-Verse_Story)''.{{Cite magazine |last=Tangcay |first=Jazz |date=March 29, 2023 |title=Sony Pictures Animation and Imageworks to Release 'Spider-Verse' Short, Launch Mentorship Program (Exclusive) |url=https://variety.com/2023/artisans/news/spider-verse-short-film-spider-within-sony-animation-1235567757/ |access-date=September 17, 2025 |magazine=[Variety](/source/Variety_(magazine)) |language=en-US |archive-date=March 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329163900/https://variety.com/2023/artisans/news/spider-verse-short-film-spider-within-sony-animation-1235567757/ |url-status=live}} In September 2025, the film, ''Debut: A KPop Demon Hunters Story,'' was [rated](/source/Motion_Picture_Association_film_rating_system) PG by the [MPA](/source/Motion_Picture_Association).{{cite web |url=https://twistedvoxel.com/kpop-demon-hunters-short-film-rated-hints-at-franchise-expansion/ |last=Awan |first=Salal |title=KPop Demon Hunters Short Film Rated, Hints at Franchise Expansion |website=Twisted Voxel |date=September 17, 2025 |access-date=September 17, 2025 |archive-date=September 20, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250920123313/https://twistedvoxel.com/kpop-demon-hunters-short-film-rated-hints-at-franchise-expansion/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Hart |first=Aimee |date=September 17, 2025 |title=A New KPop Demon Hunters Film Is On The Way |url=https://www.polygon.com/kpop-demon-hunters-new-movie-debut-release/ |access-date=September 18, 2025 |website=[Polygon](/source/Polygon_(website)) |language=en |archive-date=September 17, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250917114314/https://www.polygon.com/kpop-demon-hunters-new-movie-debut-release/ |url-status=live}} === Other media === Rumi, Mira, and Zoey were added to the video game ''[Fortnite](/source/Fortnite)'' as purchasable [outfits](/source/Skin_(video_games)) on October 2, 2025, alongside a ''KPop Demon Hunters''-themed limited time mode and items.{{Cite web |last=Phillips |first=Tom |date=October 1, 2025 |title=KPop Demon Hunters Join Fortnite With Demon Rush Mode |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/kpop-demon-hunters-join-fortnite-with-demon-rush-mode |access-date=October 1, 2025 |website=[IGN](/source/IGN) |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251001182650/https://www.ign.com/articles/kpop-demon-hunters-join-fortnite-with-demon-rush-mode |archive-date=October 1, 2025 |url-status=live}} On February 5, 2026, a second wave of ''Fortnite'' cosmetics were revealed, including Huntrix in their outfits from ''Golden'' and a Jinu skin.{{Cite magazine |last=Koepp |first=Brent |date=February 4, 2026 |title=KPop Demon Hunters Fortnite Wave 2 Revealed With Huntrix Golden Skins & Jinu |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/kpop-demon-hunters-fortnite-wave-2-revealed-with-huntrix-golden-skins-jinu/ |access-date=February 5, 2026 |magazine=[Vice](/source/Vice_(magazine)) |language=en-US |archive-url= |archive-date=}} In October 2025, it was announced that Netflix had granted ''KPop Demon Hunters'' toy licenses to both [Hasbro](/source/Hasbro) and [Mattel](/source/Mattel), with toys scheduled to be sold at retail beginning in 2026.{{Cite magazine |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=October 21, 2025 |title='KPop Demon Hunters' Toys, Dolls, Games and More Coming: Netflix Inks Unique Co-Master Deals With Mattel and Hasbro |url=https://variety.com/2025/film/news/kpop-demon-hunters-toys-games-merch-netflix-mattel-hasbro-1236557814/ |access-date=October 22, 2025 |magazine=[Variety](/source/Variety_(magazine)) |language=en-US |archive-date=October 21, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251021195431/https://variety.com/2025/film/news/kpop-demon-hunters-toys-games-merch-netflix-mattel-hasbro-1236557814/ |url-status=live}} On November 28, a digital artbook was released online; a physical edition was published in February 2026.{{Cite web |url=https://www.cartoonbrew.com/books/art-of-k-pop-demon-hunters-257119.html |title=Netflix Releases 142-Page 'KPop Demon Hunters' Digital Art Of Book, Physical Edition Coming In Early 2026 |last=Lang |first=Jamie |website=[Cartoon Brew](/source/Cartoon_Brew) |language=en-US |date=November 28, 2025 |access-date=November 30, 2025 |archive-date=December 1, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251201040834/https://www.cartoonbrew.com/books/art-of-k-pop-demon-hunters-257119.html |url-status=live |quote=Published by Nucleus in collaboration with Netflix, preorders of The Art of KPOP Demon Hunters will go live on ...gallerynucleus...on January 1, 2026, and fulfillment will begin one month later on February 1.}}{{Cite web |url=https://gizmodo.com/kpop-demon-hunters-finally-has-an-art-book-it-deserves-2000693220 |title='KPop Demon Hunters' Finally Has an Art Book It Deserves |last=Carter |first=Justin |website=[Gizmodo](/source/Gizmodo) |date=November 29, 2025 |access-date=November 30, 2025 |archive-date=November 29, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251129203812/https://gizmodo.com/kpop-demon-hunters-finally-has-an-art-book-it-deserves-2000693220 |url-status=live}} To coincide with [Spotify Wrapped](/source/Spotify_Wrapped) for 2025, a brief animated video was released of Huntrix thanking their real-life fans for listening to "Golden".{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/2025/12/new-huntr-x-video-thanks-kpop-demon-hunters-fans-for-spotify-success/ |title=New Huntr/x Video Thanks 'KPop Demon Hunters' Fans for Spotify Success |last=Milligan |first=Mercedes |magazine=[Animation Magazine](/source/Animation_Magazine) |date=December 3, 2025 |access-date=December 8, 2025 |archive-date=December 8, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251208223804/https://www.animationmagazine.net/2025/12/new-huntr-x-video-thanks-kpop-demon-hunters-fans-for-spotify-success/ |url-status=live}} In February 2026, it was announced that a graphic novel adaptation of the film was scheduled for release in March 2026.{{Cite web |last=Johnston |first=Rich |author-link=Rich Johnston |date=February 1, 2026 |title=KPop Demon Hunters Graphic Novel Next Month, And Manhwa Next Year |url=https://bleedingcool.com/comics/kpop-demon-hunters-graphic-novel-next-month-and-manhwa-next-year/ |access-date=February 4, 2026 |website=[Bleeding Cool](/source/Bleeding_Cool) |language=en |archive-url= |archive-date=}} In March 2026, [Devsisters](/source/Devsisters) announced a collaboration update for ''[Cookie Run: Kingdom](/source/Cookie_Run%3A_Kingdom)'' based on the film that ran between April 2026 and May 2026, with Rumi, Mira and Zoey added as limited-time obtainable Cookies, along with the Saja Boys and Derpy.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAwtVYx3eMA |title=CookieRun: Kingdom🏰 Kingdom LIVE📺 |date=April 3, 2026 |last=CookieRun: Kingdom |access-date=April 3, 2026 |via=YouTube |archive-date=April 3, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260403043436/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAwtVYx3eMA |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |title=Game On: ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ join ‘CookieRun: Kingdom’ |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/game-on-kpop-demon-hunters-join-cookierun-kingdom/vi-AA21amK1?ocid=msedgntp&pc=NMTS&cvid=69e47992880b42f7a8018f4e4e539f07&ei=11#details}}{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.pocketgamer.com/cookie-run-kingdom/kpop-demon-hunters-collab-now-live/ |title=CookieRun: Kingdom's KPop Demon Hunters collaboration is now live |last=Morris |first=Iwan |magazine=PocketGamer.com |date=April 8, 2026 |url-status=live |access-date=May 21, 2026 |archive-date=April 10, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260410092256/https://www.pocketgamer.com/cookie-run-kingdom/kpop-demon-hunters-collab-now-live/}} ==Notes== {{Notelist}} ==References== {{Reflist}} ==External links== {{Sister project auto}} * {{Official website}} * {{Netflix title}} * {{IMDb title}} {{KPop Demon Hunters}} {{Navboxes |title = [Awards for ''KPop Demon Hunters''](/source/List_of_accolades_received_by_KPop_Demon_Hunters) |list = {{Academy Award for Best Animated Feature}} {{American Cinema Editors Award for Best Edited Animated Feature Film}} {{Annie Award for Best Animated Feature}} {{Annie Award for Outstanding Achievement for Animated Effects in an Animated Production}} {{Austin Film Critics Association Award for Best Animated Film}} {{Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Animated Film}} {{Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Animated Feature}} {{Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award for Best Animated Film}} {{Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature Film}} {{New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Animated Film}} {{Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Animated Film}} {{Producers Guild of America Award for Best Animated Motion Picture}} {{San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best Animated Film}} {{San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle Award for Best Animated Feature}} {{Seattle Film Critics Society Award for Best Animated Feature}} {{Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Award for Best Animated Feature}} }} {{Sony Pictures Animation}} {{Netflix original animated series and films}} {{Portal bar|2020s|Cartoon|Animation|Film|Music|Pop music|South Korea|Speculative fiction|Fantasy|United States}} {{Authority control}} Category:KPop Demon Hunters Category:2020s musical fantasy films Category:2025 American animated films Category:2025 computer-animated films Category:2025 English-language films Category:2025 fantasy films Category:2025 musical films Category:American animated action films Category:American animated fantasy films Category:American animated musical films Category:American computer-animated films Category:American musical fantasy films Category:American urban fantasy films Category:Animated films about demons Category:Animated films about music and musicians Category:Animated films about prejudice Category:Animated films set in South Korea Category:Anime-influenced animated films Category:Best Animated Feature Broadcast Film Critics Association Award winners Category:Best Animated Feature Film Golden Globe winners Category:Best Animated Feature Annie Award winners Category:Films about boy bands Category:Films about fandom Category:Films about girl groups Category:Films about Korean Americans Category:Films about music competitions Category:Films scored by Marcelo Zarvos Category:Films set in Seoul Category:K-pop films Category:Netflix original films Category:Sony Pictures Animation films Category:Urban fantasy Category:Best Animated Feature Academy Award winners Category:Films that won the Best Original Song Academy Award Category:Films by South Korean women directors Category:Films by Canadian women directors --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [KPop Demon Hunters](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KPop_Demon_Hunters) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KPop_Demon_Hunters?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.