The Phenomenon of K-Pop Demon Hunters

Whether in pop culture references, a chart-topper on the radio, or eventually at the Oscars… it seemed hard to avoid one movie last year.

If you did miss it, I’m talking about the Netflix original K-Pop Demon Hunters.

So there’s three different concepts in the title alone! For those unaware, “K-Pop” stands for Korean Pop music.

It should go without saying that this is referring to South Korea, by the way. Nothing comes from North Korea (which is a concept I’m going to write about next).

But anyway, K-Pop has exploded in the West over the past decade or so . All the way — if you can think back — to “Gandam Style.”

Yes, that was Korean… and many attribute it as the start of this trend. But it’s not a “trend” anymore. Like it or not, K-Pop is here to stay.

Now, I’m pretty sure we all know “demon.” Not an unknown concept, even in most other cultures. I don’t know what remedial theology class one would need for that. But moving on….

Let’s focus on “demon hunters.” Now, in English, hunters most often means those who capture or kill animals. But not always.

Like in Medieval times, there were “witch hunters.” The subject of the hunting is someone who could be your equal. So, by definition, it can’t mean the same thing.

These church-associated men had muskets and shotguns. So, while they could just shoot… their “hunting” required much more.

If you believe in witches (in the dark sorcerer sense), and that they’re going to be a threat… you have to understand their power. And, understanding that power, you have to bring supernatural power of your own.

So same thing here, but with demons. So to the story…. 🌌🌠🌌

Three young women are widely-loved pop stars that also have a secret mission. The spellbinding intro explains that there’s something of an energetic net, known as a Honmoon, covering the whole world. It keeps demons at bay, but must be strengthened from time to time.

Every generation, there’s a “songstress trio” that emerges to reinvigorate the Honmoon and cut down the demons who’ve managed to get through it. In the 90’s in was The Sunshine Sisters and this time it’s Huntrix.

The trio includes Mira, Zoey, and their fearless leader, Rumi. Each has a drastically different hairstyle, but they somehow make it work for cohesion.

Demons are becoming more prevalent now, illustrated in the first full scene as several of them almost keep the girls waylaid from their own concert.

You see, Huntrix apparently has a private plane. They’re up there enjoying an obscene amount of junk food (if you know, you know 😁) when the 3-minute warning is called down at the arena.

They realize they’ve been duped and the crew and pilot are all demons. Mira points out the strange behavior they exhibited, including a supposed woman “watering” the plant with a coffee pot.

So, they fight their way out and (of COURSE)… parachute down to the stadium. What what!!

The concert sets the stage — pun intended — for how vast their fanbase is and why a rival might want to split it up.

Which is exactly what happens when a mysterious group comes on the scene called The Saja Boys — played by real life boy-band BTS.

They quickly become the hot, new thing… beloved by most of the same fans.

Soon, however, Rumi realizes they’re actually all demons in disguise. See, she’s hiding an extra secret, even from her sisters… that she has the same patterns on her skin as demons do!

She wants to elevate the Honmoon to ultimate glory even more than her sisters. Because then whatever part of her that is demon will be destroyed as well.

Long story short, the Honmoon will radiate like gold if this is achieved. Which is their inspiration to release “the song.”

Mirroring real life — or is it actually foreshadowing? — they release the world-wide hit “Golden.”

Yes, that’s the same song you’ve most definitely heard on the radio… whether you realized or not. In real life, their name is spelled Huntr/x. You can’t make this up!

Among other accolades, this is now — forever — an Oscar-nominated movie and an Oscar-winning song.

If you thought it was some silly children’s fad, you weren’t alone. But that just shows how something unique as this can be both hyped-out and underrated.