When Jagged Edges Meet the Light: Kpop Demon Hunters Review

Imagine you’re a demon hunter whose only mission is to repress soul-stealing demons. But after meeting a demon capable of free thought, you find yourself questioning all your morals. Then, you date (this doesn’t actually happen in the movie). This probably sounds familiar because it’s the premise of the new rising animated film Kpop Demon Hunters! (Well, of course, this isn’t exactly how it goes since we’re still waiting for a second movie.)

In the rising world of Kpop, Huntr/x (composed of Rumi, Mira, and Zoey) is the dominant creative force. Secretly, they work as demon hunters by slaying demons with their song. Through their fans, they seal the Honmoon, which is a magical barrier that keeps the demons away. But suddenly, a demon boy band, the Saja Boys, comes and steals their fans! Jinu, the leader of the Saja Boys, has struck a deal with the demon lord to finally free him by stealing all of Huntr/x’s fans. However, when Jinu and Rumi meet, there is an instant attraction, forcing them to juggle their loyalties and lying to their allies about their attraction.

Kpop Demon Hunters is highly acclaimed for a good reason: its accessibility for all age ranges. Kids can enjoy the animations and fulfill their fantasies of having a demon boyfriend, and older kids and adults can enjoy the mesmerizing storyline and the relatable themes. Moreover, their wonderful original soundtrack has already achieved record-breaking success on the Billboard charts. The Saja Boys and Huntr/x have both broken US Spotify streaming records for Kpop band tracks. Each important character has developed personalities and real-life, relatable weaknesses. Many fans also enjoy the well-crafted visuals, as highlighted by many TikToks that state that their “hear-me-outs” include members of the Saja Boys of Huntr/x. The animation is very good quality, with well-made action scenes.

Kpop Demon Hunters is a movie for all ages. It has wonderful animation, songs and themes. However, it did feel a little rushed, and though most characters had a memorable personality, not much is known about them. The viewers only have a surface-level understanding of the characters and their relationships with each other, which hopefully can be explored more in the second movie (yes, it has been confirmed)!