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Movie Review: KPop Demon Hunters

Jon The BlogcentricLeave a comment
KPop Demon Hunters is about a girl group who are more than just entertainers. They have demons to fight.

I admit I’m one of those late to the ball when it came to watching KPop Demon Hunters. I have not been too excited to see the latest animated films in recent years. What got me to see it is the big awards show buzz and how this film made some hit records chart well in the last few months. I knew I had to see it and I’m glad!

Huntrix is a girl group of three girls named Rumi, Mira and Zoey. They are the top music phenomenon in all of Korea but unknown to their fans is they are demon hunters. This goes back to the ancient past where demons led by the evil ruler Gwi-Ma used to prey on souls of humans. Back then, three women would use their singing voices to create a magical barrier on the demons called the Honmoon. Generation after generation would have their own threesome of singing hunters in hopes of strengthening it to a Golden Honmoon that would banish the demons forever. And now, it’s bestowed on the three girls of Huntrix who are trained by former hunter Celine. Their first test comes when their concert’s helicopter is discovered to have demons on board. They succeed in defeating them and make it to what they hope will be their last concert of their tour on time. To the annoyance of the others, Rumi pushes their upcoming release ‘Golden’ out sooner than they wanted and it tops the charts. That means the girls will have to go back to touring instead of having the relaxing time in the bathhouse at the end of the tour they were hoping for.

Back to the demon world, Gwi-Ma is angered for his latest plot being foiled by Huntrix. Gwi-Ma discovers Jinu: a human-turned-demon. With four other demons, he groups them with Jinu in a promise to erase his human memories and turns them into a boyband Saja Boys, whom he hopes will rival Huntrix and destroy their chances of creating the golden Honmoon. It’s also revealed Rumi of Huntrix is half-hunter, half-demon. Only Celine knows this as she found Rumi orphaned and raised her to be a hunter. The skin pattern on Rumi is the same skin pattern of demons, which explains why she won’t go with Mira and Zoey to the bathhouse. Rumi can’t do away with the memory and it starts affecting her voice as she can’t sing a certain note in ‘Golden.’

One day, the girls of Huntrix see the Saja Boys waking down the street. They think they’re hot until one of them bumps Zoey and instead of picking her up, he says ‘Watch it.” Minutes later, Huntrix see the Saja Boys, those arrogant boys, dazzle the crowd on the street with their song ‘Soda Pop.’ Huntrix are furious that they are trying to steal their #1 spot but they notice the demon skin of all five members. In a location not seen by the public, Huntrix and the Saja Boys get into a battle. Huntrix succeed, but Jinu notices Rumi’s demon pattern. Jinu feels he has to tell his own secret to Rumi privately. In their private meeting, Jinu tells Rumi that 400 years ago, Gwi-Ma promised him fame and recognition and to take his family out of poverty if he just gave himself over to the demon world. He agreed. It made him famous, but it led to his family’s downfall. It’s a feeling of guilt he still holds.

The problem with the Saja Boys’ popularity growing isn’t just how it threatens the #1 status of Huntrix. It also weakens the Honmoon and it allows more demon attacks to occur. The other two girls of Huntrix thinks the way to expose the Saja Boys’ demon identity is by releasing a song titled ‘Takedown.’ The song’s demon-hating lyrics shocks Rumi and it leads to a strain in her relationship with the other two members. Rumi also has to work out a solution for Jinu. She suggests to him if he helps Huntrix win the upcoming Idol Award and strengthen the Honmoon, he can freely live in the human world. Rumi revealing her secret to Jinu helped her get her singing voice back. Jinu tells Rumi that through her, he no longer hears demon voices and agrees to his deal with her to sabotage the Saja Boys. Infuriated, Gwi-Ma reminds Jinu in the demon world that he abandoned his family for a life of fame and privilege and will increase the voices of torture if he follows through on his deal with Rumi.

The Idol Awards happen and because of the fiasco involving ‘Takedown,’ Huntrix has to sing their hit ‘Golden.’ On stage, Rumi is singing solo on stage because Zoey and Mira were lured away by imposter demons sent by Jinu. In the middle of her performance, the song ‘Golden’ is stopped and two other demons sent by Jinu trick Rumi into singing ‘Takedown’ and expose Rumi’s demon pattern to the whole crowd. Rumi is embarrassed by it all and runs off stage. Zoey and Mira are mad for Mira hiding her demon patterns and her meetings with Jinu. All this friction causes further weakening to the Honmoon and more consumed souls which allows Gwi-Ma to enter the human world and put a trance on the public, including Mira and Zoey, and allows them to be consumed by the Zoey. Such an incident causes Rumi to confront Celine over never truly loving her as the Honmoon has been destroyed. It is up to Rumi to solve this.

How does Rumi solve this? With the Saja Boys now on top, Rumi delivers an improvised song to interrupt the Saja’s performance of ‘Your Idol’ and to break Mira and Zoey out of Gwi-Ma’s trance. This helps the three reunite and fight back to free the crowd. That fuels Gwi-Ma’s desire to attack Rumi. Jinu, repentant from all he caused, sacrifices himself by giving Rumi his restored soul. This allows Rumi to get a new source of strength to defeat Gwi-Ma and the other Saja Boys whole creating a new Honmoon. The ending gives the three girls time to finally relax in the bathhouse and Rumi’s hidden truth about her ‘demon skin’ no longer a dark secret: Rumi’s first bath with the other girls! Huntrix is back on top and their fans are all free!

It does seem awfully unusual to do an animated film about the K-Pop phenomenon. It seems especially bizarre that the film be made into an action film about fighting demons. That was the idea of Korean-Canadian director/ Maggie Kang. Kang has fifteen years of scriptwriting experience with many big-name animated films. Kang intended to create a film that paid homage to Korean mythology and shamanism to deliver something unique to animated film. Her intention of this film was to be a ‘love letter to K-pop’ and to her Korean background. The use of Korean singers as fighters of demons is not intended to be a novelty. Kang would describe that song and dance was common in the rituals of Korean shaman women. To take this mythology and to make it into something modern and in the present takes a lot of effort and a careful usage of the culture. Kang and her co-director Chris Applehans succeed with flying colors, both literally and figuratively. To have a film like this win crowds in big numbers both at the box office and Netflix hits, it’s an accomplishment worth big acclaim. Netflix teaming up with Sony Pictures Animation sure delivers a real winner here! Also the film delivers a hint that there’s a sequel coming. In 2029!

As an animated film, it’s not the common cute animated film that are mostly in the big theatres. Actually an animated film of KPop stars who are secret warriors, that looks like something more for older children or even teenagers. Especially with KPop being so popular since the early 2010’s and still continues to do very well on the charts. Outside of the age demographic it’s most suitable for, the film is a dazzler. It is very colorful, loaded with action and drama, does a great job of mixing traditional Korean mythology with modern Korean pop culture, and has a lot of dazzling effects. The music from this film also knows how to catch on in mainstream music markets and on radio. ‘Golden’ hit #1 in many a country and has become one of the most played songs of 2025. The film has kicked of many other hit songs like ‘Soda Pop’ hitting #3 in the US, ‘Your Idol’ hitting #4, ‘How It’s Done’ peaking at #8 and ‘Takedown’ peaking at #21. I think it has been years since a film has unleashed this many hit singles. For many decades, it seemed like hit songs from movies were less common than ever. This film sure changed that!

One thing to notice is that the girls of Huntrix have different voices for their acting and singing voices. Arden Cho does a great job in the acting voice of Rumi. She captures it very well. For Rumi’s singing voice, South Korean singer Ejae who’s had a lot of experience with various KPop acts, delivers excellent singing. That it something how she hits the high note on ‘Golden!’ May Hong is great as the fierce Mira and Ji-young Yoo is excellent in giving Zoey the most comic relief of the film. Ken Jeong is great as the excited manager Bobby. I knew with a film like this, they had to have Ken Jeong! Lee Byung-hun, who also starred in this year’s live-action Korean film No Other Choice, is great in providing the drama of Gwi-Ma. Ahn Hyo-seop, who himself has experience in being with a K-pop boy band named One O One, does a great performance as the troubled Jinu.

KPop Demon Hunters is one animated film more suitable for older children and teenagers. Adults will like it for the culture in its story, its  drama and the special effects. This year’s surprise delight! It even tempted me to think this could be adapted into a stage musical in the future. Do you agree?

Oscars 2023 Review: Best Animated Feature Nominees

Jon The Blogcentric1 Comment

This year makes it the first year I had the luck to see all five nominees for the Best Animated Feature. A lot of good films. Most are family-oriented but some have some adult appeal. Three are American made with one from Japan and one from Spain. Here are my reviews of the Best Animated Feature nominees:

The Boy And The Heron

Anime may or may not be to your liking. but Hayao Miyazaki makes anime films worth liking. If you’re familiar with Miyazaki, his film Spirited Away won the very second Oscar in this category. This film is his fourth film to be nominated in this category and his first in ten years when he went into retirement.

Here he ends his retirement to return with a story about a boy who lost his mother during World War II and doesn’t know how to deal with a new stepmother, an upcoming baby brother and a new school. He thinks he can fake a rock attack from a school bully to get out of his problem but a mystic heron who speaks to him has clues to how he can encounter his mother.

In many ways, this story is quite similar to Spirited Away. The path the boy Mahito takes is very similar to the labyrinth Chihiro in Spirited Away took. Both children begin the story as they face a difficult change in their life. Both children find a place that takes them to a supernatural world which they would find themselves imprisoned in and facing obstacles. Both would see imagery of beings that represent their parents or parent. In Mahito’s case, he’s led to an underground world led by a Heron and then to an image of who he thinks is his deceased moth, only to learn she’s made of water. It’s as Mahito learns he has to fight his way out of the society of parakeets that he’s able to come across his long lost mother, although she comes across as a different image.

Once again, Miyazaki succeeds in creating a world that is mystical, frightening and colorful. His films are known for capturing people’s imagination with mesmerizing imagery and dazzling colors. He’s one of few who know how to continue to innovate with 2D animation. His use of animal characters to represent the demons the child is trying to fight is present again here. With this film, it’s a human living inside a heron that is the one to guide Mahito with the ability to resolve with his new mother, fight his way out of the kingdom of parakeets and and meet his mother. The film shows Miyazaki’s magic is not lost. In fact it’s very active even after almost ten years of retirement. Miyazaki and Studio Ghjibli do it again!

This film has had a lot of awards buzz. For all the buzz in winning the Best Animated Feature Oscar, it’s seen by many as a rivalry between this film and Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse as the two most likely to win. This film has won the Golden Globe and the BAFTA. It also finished second at the Toronto Film Festival’s People’s Choice award, won many critics circle awards and was nominated for seven Annie Awards winning two. Although the Spider-Verse film, which I will review later, has more awards, this film’s big wins show it can upset.

The Boy And The Heron is one of the few animated films this year that can impress older viewers. It has what it takes to help the audience escape into a hugely imaginative world.

Elemental

In the 21st Century, it’s the team of Disney/Pixar who has delivered the most in animated films. Their films have won this category eleven times in seventeen previous nominations. They’ve done a lot to reshape the way animated films are done starting with 1995’s Toy Story. Their impact has been noticed by how other film companies do their films. So much so, Disney/Pixar is no longer alone at the top. Now they have rivalry from Walt Disney Studios whom have experienced a 3D renaissance with their films, DreamWorks Animation who pioneered Shrek, Sony Pictures Animation, Laika Studios and Netflix Animation.

I hate to complain to those that like this film, but it’s one Disney/Pixar film that isn’t all that innovative. We’ve seen their magic with toys in the Toy Story movies, insects in A Bug’s Life, monsters with Monsters Inc., fish in Finding Nemo, feelings in Inside Out and souls in Soul. Their past films have even been nominated for the Best Pictures Oscar. Here, I get the sense I’ve seen this before. It’s a case of the four natural elements of the earth trying to co-exist but those belonging to the fire element are most shunned and she falls in love with a water man. Something tells me I’ve seen better and more innovative from Pixar.

Despite this feeling like something common of expected from Pixar, it does keep Pixar’s reputation for quality and perfection in animation intact. Once again, we see Pixar deliver quality images without a glitch. Not even the appearance of the characters has an image of something out of place. On the topic of animation, Pixar again succeeds in taking the viewer to an incredible universe. Element City is a sight to behold and a world to mesmerize audiences, just like the worlds in their previous films have done. Also the story itself is another case of how Pixar can take a serious issue and turn it into a film enlightening for the whole family. Here, it’s  the theme of systemic racism and xenophobia. It’s an intense topic but this film succeeds in sending a positive message about overcoming prejudices.

It’s interesting with the awards clout this year. In almost every type of awards with the Best Animated Feature category, this film has not won but found itself a nominee or finishing second or third. The big shocker was at the Annie Awards. They earned six nominations at that awards but not Best Feature!

Elemental offers nothing really original or innovative for a Disney/Pixar film. It does, however, still keep alive Pixar’s reputation for delivering top notch animation, dazzling effects, and a good story. Pixar keeps on delivering!

Nimona

This is a unique story of how a defamed knight is rescued by a troubled shapeshifter girl who is just the friend he needs. This is one story that will catch you off guard as two unlikely people become the best of friends and what each other need to overcome their biggest obstacles. For Ballister, it’s to get his reputation, his freedom and his honor back. For Nimona, it’s the false image of her being seen as a monster: an image going back 1,000 years ago and bestowed by Gloreth. Both have social alienation in common. One is looked upon as a monster. The other is regarded with contempt for being a commoner trying to be a knight.

It’s also about a villain who will do whatever she can to control things and make things their way. She doesn’t want a commoner like Ballister as a knight while the queen is willing to break down that barrier. So she secretly gives Ballister the sword that will kill the queen. She also tries to keep the myth of Nimona being the black monster alive to all those in the town. Just as the truth is revealed, the Director won’t quit and will deliver one last seize of power.

Just like Elemental is great at creating Element City, Nimona does a great job in creating the kingdom. It’s a town that mixes in the tradition of knighthood with the technology of the modern world and the common imagery of future worlds. It’s also a place that will capture your imagination as you watch.

This is a story that’s great and entertaining. This is the third film from Big Sky Studios to be nominated in this category. This is also the third straight year an animated film shown on Netflix is a nominee in this category. Seems like Netflix has become a challenger for top animated films. Last year, they delivered the winner: Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio. Looks like Disney and DreamWorks have a future threat on their heels!

Nimona is an excellent enjoyable animated film. It offers a unique story that will have you laughing, dazzled and entertained.

Robot Dreams

Usually in this category, it’s common to have an independent nominee or two. This year, the independent nominee is the French/Spanish film Robot Dreams. It’s worth checking out if you are up for something different.

This is a charming two-dimensional story of a lonely dog in New York who’s lonely. He decides to buy a robot to be that friend. It works that summer as the two have a great time after great time. Then the robot is stuck in the beach and the beach doesn’t open until June 1st. During that whole time, the dog patiently waits while trying to make new friends. The robot still lies on the beach with colorful dreams and hopes of reuniting again. Then things take a turn for the shocking come spring. This leads to the happy ending you didn’t expect with the Earth, Wind and Fire song “September” reminding them both they’ll still be together one way or another.

This is not the first time an animated film without dialogue has been nominated in this category. This is one film that relies on facial expressions, body language, and the various images and sounds to tell its story. It does an entertaining job, especially in the various scenes it has and the switches from dreams to reality. The addition of music also adds a boost to the film.

This is a great creation from Spanish writer/director Pablo Berger. For this film, he hired French animation director Benoit Feroumont whose works include The Triplets Of Bellville and The Secret Of Kells. It’s a fun story that turns New York to look like Zootopia. The film is full of humor, a good mix of original music and past hits, of a few sad moments and even a couple of shockers. You might think you won’t like a story with no dialogue but it works from start to finish. Not a boring moment.

Robot Dreams is the independent threat in this category. It’s a fun story of friendship, the long wait, an unexpected change and a different kind of happy ending.

Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse

Five years after the first movie, the Spider-Verse is back! Once again, Miles Morales is the central Spider-Man. This time, there’s a Spider-woman in his life named Gwen Stacey who’s also a teenager like him. While the first Spider-Verse film was more comedic, this film was more dramatic. It’s not just the villains they have to fight, but they also rival each other. Animosity between the Spider-people start and disunity and even Gwen’s expulsion happened. Meanwhile Miles and Miguel become enemies.

This is not a story of a beginning, middle and an end. This is a beginning, middle and a cliffhanger obviously to set up for the third Spider-Verse movie. The film can get confusing as there are so many Spider-men and Spider-women and they don’t all meet. The film does its best to keep it all intact and keep us the viewer understanding the story

For me, the highlight of the film has to be the mix of various styles of animation. When I go see an animated film, a great animated film is not just about the story. It’s also about animation that dazzles the eyes. Writers Phil Lord and Christopher Miller learned some new animation styles after working in The Mitchell’s vs. The Machines. Lord and Miller along with the direction team made a smart move when they decided to have a different artist do each different universe. Six different animation styles were used in this film. They all make for a delight to watch as the story progresses over time.

The awards buzz has been quite something for this film. I mentioned during The Boy And The Heron that this is their biggest rival. For the Animated Feature category, Spider-verse has won the Critics Choice award, the Producers Guild Award and the Annie Award as well as the six other Annie categories it was nominated in. It has won numerous critics circle awards and their sound mixing and visual effects have won awards of their own competing against many live-action films. It has a good chance of winning the Oscar here but I know in this category, they’re not too friendly to sequels. And the first Spider-verse film won in 2018.

Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse keeps the excitement from the first Spider-Verse movie alive. It also has its own drama and a new batch of dazzling animation styles, and a cliffhanger that makes us hungry for the next Spider-Verse film!

And there you go. My look at the films nominated in the Best Animated Feature category. I saved my Should Win and Will Win picks for my blog of Oscar predictions tomorrow.