by Alyson Sanchez
The K-pop industry better watch out because one of the biggest films of 2025 is coming to slay demon boybands and seal the honmoon with its record-breaking soundtrack.
After only being out for three months, KPop Demon Hunters has already taken down the competition with it being Netflix’s most watched film ever, receiving a 96% score from critics and a 99% audience score. The film rose in popularity with social media apps like Tiktok and Instagram. Communication Junior, Kaylee BW Hanson states, “I was going through Netflix’s Top 10 and saw KPop Demon Hunters and was like, I like Kpop!” The film has also slayed its way through music charts on US Spotify. The two fictional idol groups, HUNTR/X and Saja Boys have taken the crown for the highest charting Kpop Girl Group and Kpop Boy Group, surpassing BTS’s record for “Dynamite”.
Who are HUNTR/X and Saja Boys? The film follows the members of HUNTR/X, lead vocalist Mira, Rapper Zoey, and our main character Rumi. While they are known for being superstars on the stages of sold-out stadiums, they’re also superstars at slaying demons and sealing a golden honmoon to protect the world from those demons. That is until demons formed a boyband, Saja Boys, appearing into the human world to steal people’s hearts and souls, but mostly their souls. Speaking of golden, its most successful track by HUNTR/X, “Golden”, has sat at the No.1 spot at the Billboard Hot 100 for four consecutive weeks and counting. KMA Junior Madison McRoy says, “I love Golden! I’ve listened to it like 10 times!”. Along with Golden, three other songs from the sound track have also topped the chart, those being “Your Idol” and “Soda Pop” by Saja Boys and “How It’s Done” by HUNTR/X.
The showdown between HUNTR/X and Saja Boys aren’t only shown through the charts, but overall throughout the movie, specifically through Rumi and Jinu. While their relationship was rocky at first, considering that his plan as a demon was to steal souls and get rid of HUNTR/X, they both grew closer together when Jinu found out about Rumi’s patterns. While they are only shown as friends throughout the film, a lot of fans were quick to assume the potential of a romance between them. Communications Junior, Kaylee BW Hanson, says, “I love Rumi and Jinu together! But, I’m so sad that they didn’t share a kiss in the movie!” Mira and Zoey aren’t safe either. Zoey quickly took a liking to Mystery and Mira with both Abby and Romance. They even have created ship names such as “Miromabby” and “Zoeystery”.
While their characters are shown through their action a lot, their designs and names play a role in telling their story, too. The members of the Saja Boys represent a lot of the issues with male idols in the KPop industry. Those members being Baby, Romance, Mystery, Abby, and Jinu. Baby represents the infantilization of KPop idols. Romance represents para-social relationships that form between the fans and the idol, showing how a fan’s emotional attachment to said idol maintains their loyalty.
Mystery represents how idols keep their real personality and flaws out of the public in order to maintain the image the industry paints them to be. Abby shows his issue through his name itself. He’s only known for his abs and body, representing the oversexualization of idols and how their bodies are exploited and marketed by the industry to appeal to their audience more, stripping them of their identity.
Last but not least, Jinu represents how idols are willing to give up anything if it means that they will be famous. With HUNTR/X, their hair showcases their flaws. With Rumi, her hair is in one big braid, representing how her shame of being half demon holds her back from embracing herself. Mira’s hair hangs freely with two small ponytails, showing that she’s never hidden the rebellious parts of herself and makes up her own rules. Zoey wears her hair in two buns, nodding to her struggles being Korean-American and living up to expectations of both cultures, while trying to please everyone around her.
Even though this movie was advertised to a young audience, it’s a movie that can be loved by people of all ages. Its catchy songs from both groups can really play in your head over and over again. Maybe even steal your soul along with it. The soundtrack and movie are certainly gonna go golden in your head and everywhere around you, telling you to embrace your true self, and show everyone how it’s done done done!