'KPop Demon Hunters', an American animated film co-directed by Korean-American filmmakers, is taking the world by storm. Since its release on Netflix on June 20, the film has soared to No. 1 globally and ranked in the Top 10 in 93 countries.

Blending K-pop idols with a genre-bending mix of musical and occult themes, the film has earned praise for its creativity—and for its clever incorporation of Korean folklore elements like grim reapers and goblins, as well as cultural details and architecture that fans are spotting with delight.

The story begins on a private jet carrying the girl group HUNTR/X, en route to the final concert of their world tour. Before meeting their fans, they fuel up on classic Korean comfort foods—kimbap, naengmyeon, hotteok, soondae, and ramyeon—while the glittering skyline of Seoul glows outside the window.

But their snack break turns into chaos when they discover that the flight crew and pilots are actually demons. In a flash, the members of HUNTR/X transform into demon-slayers and take down the enemies mid-air before leaping from the plane and landing directly on stage at a massive stadium.

HUNTR/X aren’t just K-pop superstars—they’re "Demon Hunters," using the power of music to maintain the barrier (known as the "Honmoon") that protects the human world from evil spirits. Their arch-nemesis, the Demon King "Gwima," counters by debuting a rival boy group of grim reapers called the Saja Boys.

What might sound like a quirky premise has turned into a global phenomenon. According to FlixPatrol, the film topped global Netflix charts for two consecutive days, June 21 and 22, rising from No. 1 in 17 countries to 26, including not just K-culture-friendly nations like Vietnam, Singapore, and Thailand, but also the U.S., France, Germany, and Switzerland. It currently ranks in the Top 10 in a total of 93 countries.

Critics and audiences alike have responded positively. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film scored a 94% critic rating and a 95% audience score—indicating that nearly 95 out of 100 viewers had favorable impressions.

Directed by Korean-American filmmakers Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans and produced by Sony Pictures Animation (the studio behind 'Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse'), the film features mostly English dialogue with occasional Korean lines. Korean actors also lend their voices—Lee Byung-hun plays the main villain Gwima, while Ahn Hyo-seop voices Junwoo, the leader of the Saja Boys.

One of the film’s standout charms is its stunning visual style and strong character design. The three members of HUNTR/X—Rumi, Mira, and Zoey—each have distinct personalities and dazzling on-stage performances that feel strikingly real. The Saja Boys also dazzle with synchronized choreography and sharp looks, quickly winning fans.

With legendary K-pop producer Teddy contributing to the soundtrack, the music is another key draw. Songs like HUNTR/X’s "How It’s Done" and "Golden," and the Saja Boys' "Soda Pop" are high-energy dance tracks in classic K-pop style. TWICE performs the opening number “Takedown,” while MeloMance’s hit "Love, Maybe" appears in its original Korean version.

While built around the globally beloved world of K-pop, the film’s storyline is far from formulaic. Its innovative blend of musical and occult genres sets it apart.

Film critic Yoon Sung-eun notes, “Using K-pop as a theme naturally draws global curiosity, but this isn’t a typical idol-to-stardom story or a cliché music movie. The unexpected mix of genres is what makes it fresh—it’s a win for creative planning.”

Korean viewers have been enthusiastically posting about the film’s accurate and affectionate depictions of Korean culture: eating gukbap to soothe emotional wounds, visiting a traditional clinic when losing one’s voice, or placing a tissue under metal chopsticks—subtle but deeply familiar details that are rarely portrayed in global media.

The film also showcases traditional Korean shamanic elements such as grim reapers, goblins, sacred guardian trees, and tiger spirits, as well as K-pop fan culture items like lightsticks, Korean-language signs, and various fandom goods. Real-life landmarks like Namsan Tower and traditional paintings like Ilwol Obongdo also make appearances.

A Netflix spokesperson commented, "'KPop Demon Hunters' is a well-crafted animation that blends traditional Korean cultural elements with the trendy appeal of K-pop. Its global success proves that a great story can transcend language and cultural barriers to be loved anywhere.”

By Oh Bo-ram