K-Pop Demon Hunters follows Huntrix, a trio entrusted to keep the world safe from demons with the power of song. According to legend, every generation has a trio of songstresses that keep the world safe from demons with the power of the Honmoon. The Honmoon is powered through the connection between the trio’s music and the people who listen to it. As more and more people connect with the music, the Honmoon becomes stronger until it becomes the Golden Honmoon. At the start of the film, the girls enter their stadium show after fighting some demons. As they’re singing, they notice a piece of the Honmoon turning gold. Their goal is almost complete. They need to release one more hit to complete the Golden Honmoon.

However, on the other side of things, the demon king Gwi-Ma is looking for a way to prevent the girls from completing their goal. Jinu, a prisoner in Gwi-Ma’s domain, offers a counterattack by fighting musically instead of physically against Huntrix. Jinu assembles the Saja Boys, and they instantly become a threat to the Golden Honmoon. It’s up to Huntrix to stop the Saja Boys from giving Gwi-Ma the world.

The Story has Heart

The biggest family film of the year so far, the live-action Lilo and Stitch, was a hit with audiences and slightly above average based on the numbers from Rotten Tomatoes.  However, for people who watched the original film, it became clear that Disney erased everything that made the original film special. When “new” films like Lilo and Stitch (2025) release, it leaves people craving films made with genuine love. 

This is where K-pop Demon Hunters excels. The story focused on telling a story of self-acceptance and working together. However, as a film about a K-pop group, there are multiple references to Korean dramas, idol culture, and legends. These references breathe life into the film as they inform the environment and actions of the world. 

At the center of the story is a journey of self-acceptance. While Huntrix fights against the Saja Boys for the Honmoon, Rumi, Huntrix’s leader, struggles with personal issues that take center stage. Rumi’s doubts and insecurities impact the characters and the story. However, the bond the girls share throughout the film shows that the power of a genuine connection can move mountains. 

The best part is that the film doesn’t shove their friendship down your throat with speeches. It shows the strength of their bond throughout the film with their actions and behaviors. These little nuggets throughout the film allow the final act to shine brighter and resolve in a genuinely beautiful way. 

Revitalizes Interest in a Dying Music Genre

Hearing a song with amazing vocals that is longer than 3 minutes is a rarity nowadays. As someone who’s been listening to K-pop since 2010, I feel that the genre has taken a nosedive in quality and creativity since the industry started relying more on appealing to a Western audience in 2021. Most songs nowadays focus on a short sound bite with the intent to only go viral on TikTok. As a result, music took a backseat. Arguably, the most popular K-pop song at the moment is Katseye’s Gnarly, a song that is mostly known for its catchy hook but has no musical substance, and it is a snapshot of the state of the genre at this moment. 

The K-pop Demon Hunters soundtrack is currently in Billboard’s top 200 and one of the top soundtracks overall, dethroning the Wicked soundtrack. After listening to the soundtrack, it’s no surprise. The songs are the epitome of what makes K-pop so wonderful to listen to: powerful vocals, diverse melodies, and dynamic presentation. It’s a breath of fresh air into the genre. While most of the songs are in English with some Korean thrown in there, it has the hallmarks of a K-pop hit. 

K-Pop Demon Hunters is now streaming on Netflix.