Muses of Media

“Everything is at stake.” –Mira

If you’re in the mood for an animated film with a story that’s as unique as it is captivating, KPop Demon Hunters is the one for you.

The film follows a popular KPop group called Hunterix, comprised of Rumi (Arden Cho), Mira (May Hong), and Zoey (Ji-young Yoo). When the trio aren’t selling out stadiums to thousands of screaming fans, they are demon hunters. Unbeknownst to their fans and their manager, Bobby (Ken Jeong), the girls are always protecting their fans from the threat of supernatural entities. However, when an irresistible new boy band called the Saja Boys dances onto the scene with catchy tunes of their own, the two groups are set for a rivalry of the ages.  

There’s more than meets the eye when it comes to the Saja Boys. Their arrival not only brings new music to the KPop scene but also a dark secret that threatens the very existence of Hunterix. When they start stealing Huntrix’s fans and possibly their souls, Rumi, Mira, and Zoey must fight to save everything they hold dear.

What Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans have done with KPop Demon Hunters is nothing short of brilliant. With a wildly original story from Kang (it is also her directorial debut), KPop Demon Hunters is everything. From top to bottom, the animated movie is a powerhouse. The tale is clever, heartfelt, unique, and often hilarious. Humour is a key element that adds to the film’s entertainment value. It’s the perfect blend of everything you could want in a movie. 

The characters are expertly brought to life by an incredible voice cast, which includes Arden Cho, May Hong, Ji-young Yoo, Ahn Hyo-seop, Lee Byung-hun, Joel Kim-Booster, Daniel Dae Kim, and Ken Jeong. The Huntrix trio is relatable, dealing with various personal issues and the rise of their fame, yet still finding time to come together, have fun, try to relax on the couch, and take on the world’s supernatural villains. The film’s leads, Cho, Hong and Yoo are showstoppers. They easily bring Rumi, Mira and Zoey to life. All three characters have vastly different personalities, and the actresses leaned into them wholeheartedly. When I interviewed the cast earlier this week, I was surprised to learn that they hadn’t recorded their lines in the studio together, despite having such palpable chemistry. This is truly a testament to their acting skills. It’s impossible not to appreciate the talent and effort put into bringing these characters to life.

In addition to the leading trio, I must shout out Ahn Hyo-seop as Jinu, the lead singer of the Saja Boys. He is so good as Jinu. With irresistibly swoon-worthy voice acting, Ahn brings his A-game to Jinu, and even though he might be a demon and a rival of Huntrix, it’s so easy to make heart eyes whenever Jinu is on screen. Not only that, but Ahn and Cho have great chemistry together, giving viewers some of the film’s more emotionally-charged moments. 

Of course, we cannot discuss KPop Demon Hunters without highlighting the exceptional animation and music. Both of these elements are not just good, but superb. The team at Sony Animation really outdid themselves here. From the bright colours to the crowds in the stadium to the demon realm and the characters, everything about the animation is brilliant. The fight scenes are exceptional, with Huntrix’s glowing weaponry and fight styles on full display in each sequence. Even things that others might deem insignificant can have a considerable impact. For example, when the group is on the precipice of releasing a new single, Rumi decides to break out their new outfits. The way that the gold hardware on their clothing glints with the light is eye-catching, adding to the entire spectacle of the film. The animation shines in both the bigger and smaller moments in the movie, reminding people why animation is such a great medium to work with and watch. 

The music throughout the movie, coupled with the original score by Marcelo Zavros, is mind-blowing. Each song introduced throughout the film is super catchy and well-deserving of being added to any playlists. But what’s more impressive is the emotional depth of the music. The lyrics are incredibly well-written, perfectly encapsulating the feelings of that particular moment in the film. Together with Zavros’ score, all the music enhances every scene, whether it’s an action sequence or a moment of self-reflection. It adds to the beautifully well-rounded story, making for one of the best musical animated films in existence. Honestly, I’d rank this music and score pairing up there with some of my personal favourite animated musicals, like The Prince of Egypt, Beauty and the Beast, and Hercules. 

I do not exaggerate when I say that KPop Demon Hunters is one of the best movies of the year thus far. With a distinctive style and story, the film brings together a myriad of elements that work exceptionally well together thanks to the keen direction of Kang and Appelhans, as well as Kang’s one-of-a-kind story. We need more original animated films like this. From the cast to the music to the visually stunning animation, KPop Demon Hunters is all you’d expect it to be and much more!

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Kpop Demon Hunters begins streaming exclusively on Netflix on June 20.

Release Date: June 20, 2025
Directors: Maggie Kang, Chris Appelhans
Producer: Michelle L.M. Wong, p.g.a.
Co-Producers: Scott Berri, Jacky Priddle
Screenplay by: Danya Jimenez & Hannah McMechan and Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans
Story by: Maggie Kang
Cast: Arden Cho, Ahn Hyo-seop, May Hong, Ji-young Yoo, Yunjin Kim, Joel Kim Booster, Liza Koshy, with Daniel Dae Kim, Ken Jeong and Byung Hun Lee
Executive Music Producer: Ian Eisendrath
Original Score by: Marcelo Zarvos
Original Songs Written by: Danny Chung, IDO, Vince, KUSH, EJAE, Jenna Andrews, Stephen Kirk, Lindgren, Mark Sonnenblick, Daniel Rojas
Original Songs Performed by: EJAE, Audrey Nuna, REI AMI, Andrew Choi, Danny Chung, Kevin Woo, samUIL Lee, Neckwav, Lea Salonga
Featuring An Original Song Performed by: Jeongyeon, Jihyo, and Chaeyoung of TWICE
Production by: Sony Pictures Animation