'KPop Demon Hunters' Review: Sony Animation's Stunning Animated Musical Slays Demons and Serves K-Pop Realness
Since Spider-Verse, I've been excited about every new Sony Pictures Animation project. Whether they are telling ambitious stories or inventing experimental animation techniques, they are the animation studio that constantly raises the bar for their rivals. These days, the hyperstylized 2D/3D art style they pioneered is now so common that Dreamworks and Disney Animation have also embraced it, with mixed results. But when it comes from Sony Animation, you know it's going to be good.
When the studio announced KPop Demon Hunters from Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans as one of their more mature projects, it instantly shot to the top of my most anticipated watchlist. Although it did not develop into the mature action film it was initially marketed as, the final result is a fierce family film that serves as a huge throwback to action and magical girl cartoons like Totally Spies, Juniper Lee, Winx Club, and The Powerpuff Girls — but, like, make it Korean. Just when I thought Sinners was the only supernatural genre musical with cultural significance this year.
Image copyright (©) Courtesy of Netflix
MPA Rating: PG (Action/violence, scary images, thematic elements, some suggestive material and brief language.)
Runtime: 1 Hour and 38 Minutes
Production Companies: Sony Pictures Animation
Distributor: Netflix
Directors: Maggie Kang, Chris Appelhans
Writers: Danya Jimenez, Hannah McMechan, Maggie Kang, Chris Appelhans
Cast: Arden Cho, Ahn Hyo-seop, May Hong, Ji-young Yoo, Yunjin Kim, Daniel Dae Kim, Ken Jeong, Byung-hun Lee
Release Date: June 20, 2025
Throughout history, a trio of female demon hunters has doubled as musicians, tasked with protecting humanity from malevolent spirits. Now, that legacy is carried on by the K-pop group HUNTR/X, led by the confident vocalist Rumi (Arden Cho) alongside the fierce lyricist Mira (May Hong) and the bubbly rapper Zoey (Ji-young Yoo). Thanks to their efforts, the Honmoon — the magical seal dividing the human and demon realms — is closer than ever to completion. But their growing success enrages their flame-wreathed nemesis, Gwi-Ma (Byung-hun Lee), leader of the demon world. To bring down Huntrix, one of Gwi-Ma’s top demons, Jinu (Ahn Hyo-seop), decides to fight fire with fire and create a demon boy band called the Saja Boys. Clad in human flesh, the Saja Boys debut and quickly gain popularity in Korea, even stealing the attention of Huntrix’s fanbase. Now, Huntrix must take them on in a battle of K-pop idols. But when Jinu and Zoey begin to form an unexpected bond, tensions rise... especially as Jinu uncovers a secret that threatens to jeopardize Huntrix’s mission: Rumi has been concealing her half-demon heritage from Mira and Zoey.
Huntrix just got a new fan in me
From the outset, KPop captivates with its vibrant worldbuilding and fast-paced, kinetic energy, laying the foundation for a multigenerational Korean demon-hunting tradition and introducing the Huntrix trio through the eyes of their devoted fans. The trio is basically the Powerpuff Girls — Rumi is Blossom, Mira is Buttercup, and Zoey is Bubbles. (Even Zoey's rap game harkens back to Bubbles going "I'M HARDCORE!") The filmmakers were prepped for that parallel, and even show some of Huntrix’s fans in PPG-style merch. Much like NewJeans. (Oh, yeah. I know some K-pop stuff.) With those well-known archetypes in mind, screenwriters Danya Jimenez & Hannah McMechan and Kang & Appelhans do a fine job of rendering the Huntrix team's familial friendship. Actresses Ji-young Yoo, May Hong, and Arden Cho also do commendable voicework, providing energy and warmth to complement the animation's frenetic style.
On a story front, KPop is most engaging and amusing when it is focused on the dynamic of the trio and their dual identities. The story primarily centers on Rumi and her endeavors to conceal her half-demon heritage. This is largely motivated by the influence of her adoptive mother, Celine (Yunjin Kim), who was a member of the previous generation of the demon hunter/pop group. The plot goes into K-drama mode as soon as Jinu and his Saja Boys come into the picture, and even more as Rumi and Jinu's forbidden romance — peak K-drama trope — blossoms. The writers take full advantage, leaning into it with genuine dramatic elements and humorous self-awareness.
However, the balance between Rumi's journey of self-discovery and her relationship with her band is uneven. Mira and Zoey are frequently absent well into the second act, as more time is dedicated to Jinu. He makes for an alluring foil to Rumi: tragic backstory, hunky character design, and all that. However, he occupies a significant amount of screen time in areas where Huntrix's friendship should be center stage.
Kpop has lofty ambitions, but not have enough time to realize them
As the film advances, the story aims higher, delving further into the backgrounds of its large ensemble. However, the convoluted plot elements remain largely undeveloped as a result of the film's brief 98-minute runtime. Many of the problems with the plot can be found in the climax, which feels rushed to an underwhelming degree. The film could have benefited from a longer runtime to fully realize its intentions, as it effectively maintained momentum up to that point. But whatever its shortcomings, the film mostly overcompensated with its animation and music.
Visually, KPop leans more into Spider-Verse's realm. Kang & Appelhans have a sharp eye, particularly for deciphering which moments call for fast, expressive movement and which ones need a more subtle, dramatic weight.The action sequences are intensified by higher frame rates and blend zippy 2D-action lines with a 3D backdrop. The film’s unique, fully realized art direction gives the fleshed-out world a vibrant visual pop, using an explosive color palette derived from K-pop music culture. KPop also uses a distinctive blend of 2D-animated anime expressions on detailed 3D models, resulting in hilarious visual gags and physical humor.
Kpop’s soundtrack is Oscar worthy
KPop features some of the most catchy genre-bending original songs in film this year, complete with visually stunning musical numbers written and produced by various Korean artists — including Rei Ami, Audrey Nuna, and some members of TWICE. Frankly, KPop and Sinners' soundtracks clear all of this past year's Best Original Song nominees, especially the horrendous winner.
Similarly to previous Sony Animation films that became Netflix exclusives (Vivo, The Mitchells vs. the Machines), KPop Demon Hunters is far too dazzling to be seen on a small screen. Not to brag, but when I saw it at the Paris Theater for a press screening, it was mostly empty and I was having a ball, tapping my toes and bopping my head. I strongly encourage you to look up showtimes since it is getting a limited theatrical run in some areas. Seeing it in a theater is a friggin' blast and was truly one of the best theatrical experiences I've had all year.
Final Statement
Maggie Kang & Chris Appelhans Kpop Demon Hunters is a visually stunning animated genre-bender. Brimming with style, action, and a wonderful soundtrack that pays homage to K-Pop and Korean culture in every frame, it once again proves why Sony Animation is the best in the biz.
