I Watched KPop Demon Hunters Solely For My Daughter, And It Was A Great Example Of Why I Should Get Out Of My Comfort Zone More Often

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The overwhelming excitement surrounding “KPop Demon Hunters“, Netflix’s groundbreaking animated musical that made headlines when it was announced for release in 2025, initially failed to capture my attention due to my lack of knowledge about K-pop and preference for other genres. However, after watching it with my daughter, I must admit that I underestimated its charm. I find myself in a position where I should stretch beyond my comfort zone more often, as this movie truly is remarkable.

As a cinephile, I must admit that I wasn’t expecting much from “KPop Demon Hunters,” given its premise of a demon-hunting girl group, Huntr/x, and the mysterious secret harbored by Rumi towards Mira and Zoey. However, the movie managed to pique my curiosity, leading me to give it a chance. Little did I know that this seemingly ordinary film would challenge and reshape my entire perspective on my movie preferences.

My Daughter Loves K-Pop, But I Am Not A Fan Of That Or Animated Movies Or Fantasy

Upon first encountering “KPop Demon Hunters,” it seemed that each title component might suggest this series wasn’t tailored for my tastes. Given my preference for non-fantasy content and limited exposure to the realm of K-pop beyond “Butter” and Lisa from Blackpink in “The White Lotus,” I found myself uninterested despite repeated recommendations from Netflix.

Interestingly, the show’s debut on Netflix’s 2025 lineup seemed to align (perhaps not by chance) with my daughter’s unexpected fascination for K-pop. One moment she was asleep, and the next, she was buzzing about bands and humming tunes that were entirely new to me.

Recently, I’ve endured some less-than-impressive films intended for my kids, sticking it out through any title with even a glimmer of potential to keep their attention beyond a brief YouTube clip. With such low expectations, I found myself unfazed about pressing play on the series “KPop Demon Hunters“.

Let’s just say I wasn’t ready for the takedown.

I Do Love Boy Bands And Girl Groups, And The Music Got Me Moving

Despite not being able to tell Stray Kids apart from Seventeen at first glance, given that I’m a Millennial, boy bands and girl groups are right up my alley. Consequently, when the music began, I readily succumbed. As the mythology of Gwi-Ma unfolded and the Saja Boys group was established, I couldn’t help but exclaim in excitement!

Oh my god, please tell me they’re forming a demon boy band!

When my children gazed at me as if I had grown an extra pair of eyes, it was because they found it surprising that I chose to play a film I seemed unfamiliar with. Needless to say, I hadn’t caught any previews, and I had no intention of actually watching it myself.

I must admit, I was really excited about it. It turned out that I knew quite a few of the songs because the Internet has been so captivated by the music from KPop Demon Hunters, and to add to that, my younger family members often play “Golden” and “Soda Pop” whenever we drive.

The Beautiful Animation Struck Me Immediately, And Then I Got Invested In The Story

What truly captivated me initially in the Netflix film wasn’t the music, but rather the animation. It seems that inspiration was drawn from the Spider-Verse films, anime, music videos, and other sources, and this blend of styles came together magnificently, as far as I am concerned.

Initially, I shared your apprehensions about the expository part typical in fantasy films, used to establish the mythology. However, in this case, the backstories of Gwi-Ma and Honmoon were effectively explained in an intriguing manner that held my attention, particularly when we learned about Rumi’s link to the demons.

In simpler terms, you don’t need to be fond of K-pop or fantasy genres to understand the struggle of the half-demon character, who feels compelled to conceal aspects of her genuine self from others. The act of concealing her patterns can symbolize various experiences, and I found the film’s underlying theme of accepting and showcasing your authentic self, even with its flaws, truly captivating.

I Couldn’t Believe How Many Times I Laughed Out Loud

In other words, KPop Demon Hunters delivers not just great music and an authentic coming-of-age narrative, but also unexpected humor that keeps you laughing throughout. From the jokes about Saja Boy Abby’s abs to Mira donning a sleeping bag at the Met Gala, the comedy is both consistent and clever.

It’s quite uncommon to find a movie that can entertain people across all age groups, but this one manages to do so excellently. Although younger viewers might have missed some of the faster jokes, they certainly appreciated what turned out to be the film’s most hilarious element – Jinu’s enormous blue tiger Derpy and the minuscule magpie Sussy adorned with a hat.

Without ruining anything for you, let me tell you that once the tiger toppled the flower pot, it became clear to me that those somewhat intimidating figures were about to turn out to be a real blast!

KPop Demon Hunters Reminded Me That Sometimes You Have To Believe The Hype

I must admit, I’m far from being a connoisseur of K-pop or demon-themed films, and I can’t guarantee that I’ll ever watch another animated fantasy movie again – unless “KPop Demon Hunters 2” comes along. But let me tell you something: sometimes a great film is simply a great film, and this serves as a valuable lesson not to dismiss a genre just because it doesn’t align with my usual taste in movies.

I absolutely adored this movie and can’t wait to share the experience with my daughters at the live sing-along event for “KPop Demon Hunters” in theaters. It’s fantastic to see such widespread acclaim, even among those (like me) who might not initially consider themselves part of its intended audience. I eagerly encourage others to give it a try and step out of their comfort zones!

KPop Demon Hunters is streaming now on Netflix.

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2025-08-21 01:10