Netflix Summary:
When K-pop superstars Rumi, Mira and Zoey aren’t selling out stadiums, they’re using their secret powers to protect their fans from supernatural threats.
FYA Summary:
My feed’s been full of posts about this movie ever since it came out, but what finally convinced me to watch it was extremely on brand: it was mentioned by a BTS* member in a live broadcast, as well as on one of my favourite blogs.
* A full circle moment, since some of the songs were written by songwriters who’ve worked on BTS songs!
Anyway! In every generation, there are a chosen three. Through the power of music (and also kickass weaponry wielding), they alone protect the human world from demons with a magical barrier called the Honmoon. Superstar girl group Huntr/x is on the verge of saving the world for good when the demons take the battle to a different stage: they’ve formed a boy band.
Familiar Voices:
🔊 Ji-young Yoo / 🎶 Rei Ami as Zoey, 🔊 Arden Cho / 🎶 Ejae as Rumi, and 🔊 May Hong / 🎶Audrey Nuna as Mira
HUNTR/X GIRLS TO THE WORLD! Going into the movie, I was most familiar with Arden Cho from Teen Wolf and Partner Track, as well as Ji-young Yoo from the YA adaptations of Moxie and The Sky Is Everywhere. All the Huntr/x voice actors and singers were awesome, but we have Ejae to thank for co-writing “How It’s Done”, “Golden”, and “Your Idol” (in addition to the many hits in her prolific songwriting career).
Even though Huntr/x is the main attraction, the supporting voice and singing cast is S-T-A-C-K-E-D.
- Yunjin Kim is Celine, Huntr/x’s demon hunting mentor, and Lea Salonga provides the singing voice.
- Ken Jeong is Bobby, Huntr/x’s agent/manager/one-stop-shop behind the scenes person.
- Daniel Dae Kim plays a doctor, of sorts lol.
- Lee Byung-hun is Gwi-Ma, the demon ruler.
- Joel Kim Booster voices a few different characters, including Romance Saja.
- Kevin Woo (formerly of U-KISS) as the singing voice of Mystery Saja.
- Last but certainly not least: Twice’s Jeongyeon, Jihyo and Chaeyoung sing an original song on the soundtrack.
As for Saja Boys leader Jinu (🔊 Ahn Hyo-seop / 🎶 Andrew Choi)…. I’ll just say that here at FYA, we’re not new to this; we’re true to this.
And fun fact: one of the directors, Chris Appelhans, is married to YA author Maurene Goo!
Couch-Sharing Capability: High
Clocking in at a zippy 100 minutes, KPop Demon Hunters is fun for the whole family — aside from any members who might find monsters and demons scary. (The designs aren’t particularly horror-y, but they could spook younger kids.)
Recommended Level of Inebriation: Snacks Galore
You won’t need a soda pop or a voice-repairing tonic to enjoy this, but given how often Huntr/x are feasting on tasty business, you might want to stock up on some of your own.
Use of Your Streaming Subscription: Excellent
The beats might be familiar — I’ve been describing it as Frozen x Buffy — but this movie hits the perfect note with plenty of K-Pop flair. If it wasn’t already obvious, this was extremely my shizz. (There’s even a hint of a star-crossed romance** and a scene that spoofs K-dramas!) But even if you weren’t destined to love it like I was, it’s a fun time with a banger soundtrack!***
** I do love the idea that this could be a Casper-esque canon event for Gen Alpha.
*** Like, seriously — I’ve been listening to it nonstop since I watched the movie, so YEAH, you can say it’s keeping me obsessed and I’m playing it on repeat.
Yes to all of the above!! As you well know, I’m not in the KPop world, but I adore this movie, the soundtrack, everything. I need a Derpy Tiger and Sassy Bird of my own.
Netflix definitely dropped the ball by not anticipating the merch demand, especially for merch-obsessed K-Pop fans!