Directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans.
K-Pop: Demon Hunters premiered on June 20, 2025 and the Sing-Along version began streaming on August 25, 2025.
Distributed by Netflix worldwide.
Movie Review
K-Pop: Demon Hunters is a bright, brutal and wildly inventive animated musical that fuses K-pop spectacle with supernatural action.
The story follows Huntr/x, a rising idol trio who double as demon hunters using music as magic.
The film stuns with kinetic animation, razor sharp choreography, and a soundtrack that lives on after the credits.
Arden Cho, May Hong and Ji-young Yoo give the lead roles heart, while Lee Byung-hun and Yunjin Kim add gravitas as the film’s darker forces and mentor figures.
Directors and animators mix neon cityscapes with intimate character moments so the movie feels both huge and personal.
Some viewers may find the plot lightweight, but the emotional beats about identity and belonging land hard.
Packed with visual invention, catchy songs, and fierce performances, K-Pop: Demon Hunters is a crowd-pleasing, genre-bending ride that rewards repeat viewings.
It invites fandom, sparks conversation, and deserves multiple listenings and viewings today.
Ratings
• IMDb: 7.7/10
• Rotten Tomatoes: 97%
• Google Audience Score: 88% liked this movie.
K-Pop: Demon Hunters Actors
Arden Cho as Rumi
DOB: August 16, 1985.
Bio: American actress, singer, model, and entrepreneur. She grew up in Texas before moving to Minnesota, where she studied psychology and pursued acting and music.
Arden’s breakout came with her role as Kira Yukimura on Teen Wolf (2014–2016), where she won fans with her portrayal of a strong, layered character rooted in Japanese folklore.
Role: Rumi is the leader and lead vocalist of the K-pop group HUNTR/X. She balances her career as a global star while secretly being a demon hunter.
Rumi wields a saingeom (Korean spirit sword) and carries the burden of a family secret tied to the supernatural world.
What to Expect: Confident stage presence, quiet vulnerability in private moments, and big action set pieces.
Favorite Things: Music and performance, activism for Asian American creators, and storytelling that centers women.
Notable Works: Teen Wolf, Partner Track, Chicago Med.
May Hong as Mira
DOB: October 24, 1988.
Bio: Korean-American model, actress, and visual artist. Born in South Korea and raised in New York, she studied fine arts and printmaking at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) before moving to Brooklyn to pursue creative work.
Hong’s modeling career flourished as she walked for major designers like Adidas, Gucci, Marc Jacobs, and Eckhaus Latta.
Role: Mira is the visual (main dancer) of HUNTR/X and fights demons with a gokdo polearm.
Portrayed as the rebellious “black sheep” of a wealthy family, she has a tough exterior but deeply cares about her friends, a duality Hong related to personally,
What to Expect: Fierce, physical energy, and a character who balances rebellion with deep loyalty.
Favorite Things: Hong is passionate about visual art, printmaking, modeling, and pushing genre boundaries through creative storytelling and roles that defy expectations.
Notable Works: Hacks, Fantasmas, Broad City, High Maintenance.
Ji-young Yoo as Zoey
DOB: January 1, 1999.
Bio: Ji-young Yoo (birth name SunHee Seo) is a Korean-American actress whose career launched with the Netflix film Moxie in 2021.
A University of Southern California student, she dropped out to star in the Amazon Prime miniseries Expats (2024), earning a Gotham Awards nomination.
Role: Zoey, the maknae rapper and lyricist of HUNTZoey is the youngest member (maknae) of HUNTR/X.
Serving as the group’s rapper and lyricist, and navigates her dual identity as a Korean American while fighting soul-draining demons
What to Expect: Bright youthful energy, rapid fire lines and an emotional throughline about belonging.
Favorite Things: Yoo champions authentic storytelling and bold acting choices, often embracing roles that challenge comfort zones and reflect depth and vulnerability.
Notable Works: Expats, Smoking Tigers, Until Dawn, The Sky Is Everywhere.
Ahn Hyo-seop as Jinu
DOB: April 17, 1995.
Bio: South Korean actor and singer born in Seoul and raised in Toronto, Canada before returning to Korea to pursue entertainment.
Originally a JYP trainee, he transitioned into acting and steadily built a reputation as one of Korea’s most bankable leading men.
Role: Jinu, the leader of the Saja Boys whose tragic pact with darkness makes him both a dangerous antagonist and a conflicted romantic figure.
What to Expect: Brooding charm, conflicted choices and a performance that mixes heartthrob appeal with menace.
Favorite Things: Music and performance roots, and roles that let him combine vulnerability with star power.
Notable Works: Business Proposal, A Time Called You, Dr. Romantic.
Lee Byung-hun as Gwi-Ma
DOB: July 12, 1970.
Bio: South Korea’s most acclaimed actors, recognized for his versatility across genres and his successful crossover into Hollywood.
Born in Seoul, he debuted in the early 1990s and rose to fame with iconic roles in both Korean cinema and international productions.
Role: Gwi-Ma, the hulking demon king, a terrifying figure whose monstrous presence and commanding aura make him the central embodiment of evil in the story.
What to Expect: Deep, menacing vocal work and a performance that anchors the movie’s threat.
Favorite Things: Known for his dedication to craft, Lee has consistently chosen complex roles that defy typecasting, whether in arthouse cinema or Hollywood blockbusters.
Notable Works: A Bittersweet Life, The Good, the Bad, the Weird, I Saw the Devil, Inside Men.
Yunjin Kim as Celine
DOB: November 7, 1973.
Bio: A South Korean-American actress, Yunjin Kim catapulted to global fame as Sun-Hwa Kwon on Lost (2004–2010).
Born in Seoul, she immigrated to the U.S. as a child, later earning her BFA in drama from Boston University after studying at respected institutions in New York and London.
Role: Celine is Rumi’s foster mother, a former K-pop idol turned seasoned demon hunter who now mentors the next generation of protectors in K-Pop: Demon Hunters
What to Expect: Wise, steady presence, emotional guidance and a few quietly devastating reveals about the past.
Favorite Things: Deep into theater and nuanced character work, Kim has built a career around roles that balance emotional intelligence with cultural and genre impact.
Notable Works: Lost, Shiri, Mistresses, Money Heist: Korea.
Ken Jeong as Bobby
DOB: July 13, 1969.
Bio: Born in Detroit to South Korean immigrant parents and raised in North Carolina.
Ken Jeong originally trained as a physician, earning his M.D. from the University of North Carolina before pursuing stand-up comedy while practicing medicine.
Role: Bobby is the girls’ overworked, high-strung manager, equal parts comic relief and caring father figure, whose chaotic antics hide genuine devotion to his clients.
What to Expect: Fast, breathless comic lines, warm-hearted loyalty and chaotic managerial antics.
Favorite Things: A passionate advocate for comedy, improv, and music, Jeong also loves supporting Asian representation in Hollywood.
Notable Works: Community, The Hangover films, Dr. Ken, Crazy Rich Asians.
Daniel Dae Kim as Healer Han
DOB: August 4, 1968.
Bio: Born in Busan, South Korea, and raised in Easton, Pennsylvania, Daniel Dae Kim is one of Hollywood’s most respected Korean American actors and producers.
He studied theater at Haverford College and later earned an MFA from New York University’s Graduate Acting Program.
Role: Healer Han is a wise and compassionate ally who aids the demon hunters with his deep spiritual insight and healing abilities.
What to Expect: Calm authority, emotional intelligence and an anchor for the team in crisis.
Favorite Things: Kim is deeply committed to producing projects that amplify Asian American voices.
Notable Works: Lost, Hawaii Five-0, Crusade, The Good Doctor.
Liza Koshy as Host
DOB: March 31, 1996.
Bio: Born in Houston, Texas, Liza Koshy rose to fame as a digital creator on Vine before becoming one of YouTube’s breakout stars, where her sharp comedic timing, physical humor, and relatable sketches earned her millions of followers.
Her transition into mainstream entertainment has been seamless, spanning acting, producing, and high-profile hosting gigs.
Role: The Host, an energetic on-air personality who helps sell the pop world backdrop and sometimes fuels plot moves.
What to Expect: Snappy banter, crowd energy and a performance that sells spectacle.
Favorite Things: Hosting, making people laugh and crossover projects between digital and mainstream media.
Notable Works: YouTube hits, Work it, A Family Affair.
Joel Kim Booster as Variety Show Host / Idol Host / Romance Saja
DOB: February 29, 1988.
Bio: Chicago-raised comedian, writer, and actor known for his sharp wit, incisive social commentary, and charismatic stage presence.
His comedy career took off with acclaimed stand-up specials such as Joel Kim Booster: Psychosexual (2022), which cemented him as a bold, fearless voice in modern comedy.
Role: Booster plays a collection of humorous side characters, including variety show hosts, reporters, and quirky cameo roles.
Each designed to bring extra comic punch to the film’s larger-than-life pop backdrop.
What to Expect: Expect his signature rapid-fire delivery and sharp comedic timing in small but memorable bursts.
Favorite Things: Booster has often shared his love for stand-up comedy, writing scripts that amplify queer and Asian American voices, and bringing fresh perspectives into mainstream entertainment.
Notable Works: Fire Island, Loot, Shrill.
Lea Salonga (singing voice for Celine)
DOB: February 22, 1971.
Bio: Lea Salonga is a world-renowned Filipina singer and actress celebrated for her crystal-clear soprano voice and trailblazing achievements in musical theater.
She won the Tony Award and Olivier Award for her iconic role as Kim in Miss Saigon (1989), making history as the first Asian woman to win a Tony.
Role: She provides the singing voice for Celine, lending the character gravitas and warmth with her powerful, emotionally resonant vocals in key musical sequences.
What to Expect: Expect moving, technically flawless performances that elevate the film’s most emotional and inspirational moments.
Favorite Things: Musical theater, mentoring young performers and recording.
Notable Works: Miss Saigon, Aladdin, Les Misérables.
EJAE, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami (the singing voices of Huntr/x)
DOBs: EJAE, December 6, 1991; Audrey Nuna, April 2, 1999; Rei Ami, N/A.
Bio: Songwriters and vocalists who performed the film’s hit soundtrack and gave the animated idols a chart-topping pop sound. EJAE also co-wrote many demos and songs for the film.
Role: Singing voices for Rumi, Mira and Zoey, the musical core of the movie and the reason the soundtrack became a cultural moment.
What to Expect: Tight pop harmonies, stadium hooks and moments built for sing-alongs.
Favorite Things: Studio craft, songwriting and collaborating with top producers.
Notable Works: Charting singles from the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack, prior songwriting and artist credits.
More Actors
• SungWon Cho as Abby Saja
• Alan Lee as Mystery Saja
• Danny Chung as Baby Saja
• Andrew Choi as Jinu singing voice / Saja Boys vocals contributor
• Kevin Woo as Saja Boys contributor
• samUIL Lee as Saja Boys contributor
• Neckwav as Saja Boys contributor
• Rumi Oak as Young Rumi and Young Fan
• SungWon Cho as Abs Saja / Bathhouse Patron / Social Media Fan (multiple small roles)
• Danny Chung as additional Saja vocals and small roles
• Kevin Woo as additional Saja vocals and cameo bit parts
FAQ – K-Pop: Demon Hunters Movie
Is K-Pop: Demon Hunters appropriate for kids?
Yes, rated PG, the film features stylized, cartoonish violence without gore, and no sexual content.
Why is the film so popular worldwide?
It blends K-pop music, vivid animation, and cultural authenticity to create a crossover hit.
Are sequels or spin-offs in the works?
Yes, Netflix is reportedly exploring building a broader franchise with potential sing-along events, merchandise, and prequel content, handled carefully to keep the story fresh, much like major animated franchises do. More on TheVerge
How successful was the soundtrack?
The music was nearly as big as the movie itself. Seven tracks hit the Billboard Hot 100, with “Golden” reaching #1 globally.
Huntr/x even outpaced BLACKPINK and BTS on Spotify.
Which real K-pop idols influenced the characters?
Jinu from the rival boy band was inspired by EXO’s Kai, while TWICE members participated in the soundtrack.
K-pop groups like BTS, Monsta X, Stray Kids, and TXT influenced the visual and musical direction of the Saja Boys.
What inspired the film’s visual and cultural design?
Directors combined K-pop, K-shamanic ritual (gut), and hybrid 2D-3D animation aesthetics for a fresh look.
They drew design cues from idol groups like BLACKPINK and TWICE, and even built character movements based on cultural performances.
Conclusion
K-Pop: Demon Hunters delivers far more than just flashy visuals and chart-ready songs, it’s a heartfelt story about friendship, resilience, and finding strength in the face of darkness.
By blending the high-energy world of K-pop with supernatural battles, the film creates a unique experience that feels both thrilling and emotionally grounding.
The vibrant animation, strong voice cast, and infectious soundtrack ensure it resonates with fans of music, action, and fantasy alike.
At its core, it’s a celebration of identity and unity, reminding us that even the brightest stars face shadows, and that true power comes from standing together.
This isn’t just another animated feature; it’s a cultural crossover moment that proves music really can save the world.