KPop Demon Hunters

This was AMAZING! I watched it out of curiosity more than anything and I ended up loving it! It is such a refreshing theme and concept. A bit like modern day girl power. Also reminded me at times of the powerpuff girls!

I don't really know or follow anything about KPop but this seems rammed full with K-pop culture references. Almost like a beginners guide.

The music is classic K-Pop though.

I just loved it. Probably not the most helpful review. But I really enjoyed so many aspects. The storyline, character development, relationship dynamics, the music, the production design... all of it!

I loved each individual female character as well.

Will definitely watch it again!

When your 13-year-old starts humming the soundtrack before the credits roll and your 11-year-old immediately asks "Can we watch it again?", you know an animated film has struck gold... even if that gold comes with some familiar copper underneath.

*** I have to, have to, have to... UPDATE this review here (rest all is original) I had to sit through this movie a second time! Because my daughter wanted a rewatch! And TBH I didn't hate it either ***

Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans' KPop Demon Hunters is genuinely delightful visual candy that marries supernatural action with infectious pop sensibilities.

The genre-bending animated film borrows from pop music and action cinema, creating something unexpectedly charming. Sony Pictures Animation continues their innovation streak with gorgeous visuals that make every demon-slaying sequence pop like a music video, whilst the soundtrack absolutely slaps... proper earworm material.

The film's greatest strength lies in its sincere embrace of K-pop culture without descending into parody. It's endearing, beautifully animated crowdpleaser, with a dorkily sincere love for the pop culture phenomena it embeds itself in. However, beneath the stunning animation lies a disappointingly predictable story that feels like we've seen this particular "misfit teens save the world" template countless times before.

The fighting is not horrible but is bad, and the action sequences, whilst visually spectacular, lack genuine tension or stakes. It's humorously subversive and a funny but brutal commentary on its own industry, which adds clever meta-commentary that adults will appreciate.

Who'll Love This: K-pop fans, animation enthusiasts, families wanting something fresh, and anyone who enjoyed Spider-Verse's visual innovation.

My kids were absolutely transfixed: the 13-year-old appreciated the meta-commentary whilst the younger one was purely there for the demon-slaying spectacle. Teen girls will worship at its altar.

Rating: 7/10 (Gorgeous spectacle that prioritises style over substance, but what magnificent style it is) Probably 8/10 for my kids.

I'm more of an animation fan than a kpoper, so KPop Demon Hunters was offering a fresh idea, but I was not prepared.

The colors are gorgeous. The constant pallette choice of cold colors are pleasing in the eyes and well-coordinated, it's breathtaking. Fluid movements during fights, Sony nailed it over and over.

Albeit story-wise is formulaic, the casts are wonderful and easily loveable. Jinu has the most generic looking facial feature for a character but his personality definitely sells his character, I love him. The trio is an icon, they are all different in their own ways and it's what made their interactions very enjoyable!

Last but not least, the tracks. Banger. It gave me chills, especially the last to close up the story. I'm not familiar with KPop songs, so this is all very new to me, but the tracks in this movie definitely hook me up, and I now see the appeal of KPop songs. Brb while I binge the tracks.

I've been watching the trailer on repeat since it first dropped, and after finally seeing the full movie, I can honestly say it exceeded all my expectations. What stood out to me the most was the way it explored the theme of self-acceptance. The characters aren't perfect-they make mistakes, they have fears, and they face struggles-but that's what makes them so real and relatable. The film reminds us that it's okay to be flawed, and that we don't need to hide our insecurities from the people who care about us. Vulnerability isn't weakness-it's a kind of strength. And sometimes, showing our true selves, even the parts we think are "too much," is exactly what helps us grow and connect more deeply with others.

The music was another huge highlight for me. Every song was super catchy and I've already added several tracks to my Spotify playlist. I also loved the performance scenes-they were dynamic, visually stunning, and full of personality.

Visually, the film is breathtaking. The character designs, costumes, and animation are all so detailed and vibrant. You can clearly see the love and effort that went into every frame. Each character has a distinct style that reflects their personality, and the fusion of K-pop aesthetics with demon-hunting action creates a world that feels both exciting and immersive.

And I can't forget to mention the "enemies to lovers" subplot-it had me hooked from the start! That kind of dynamic is one of my favorites, and this one was done so well. The chemistry, the tension, the emotional payoff... it gave me all the feels. I laughed, I teared up, and I was totally invested in their journey. By the end, I was left wanting more-and honestly, I really hope there's a sequel on the way.

It's like... Actually good? Like... Unironically? I did not expect that.

I totally thought this would be some trash trying to milk the KPop culture/fandom, but... I mean, it is that, no mistake about that, but it's not just a cash-grab. The story, if you think about it, is kind of simplistic and predictable, but I do not think it was aiming for something complex. It's a fairy tale. You know, like Snow White? What makes it stand out is the delivery.

The music is good. I am not a fan of KPop, aside maybe a couple of songs, and I can remember only one of them (I'm a Pop), but the songs sounded good to my ears with just a few moments sounding a bit off. Not as in "off-tune", but as in "do not fit" either overall song structure or what's happening on screen. Those are nitpicks, though. Totally not like Snow White.

Animation is great, the style overall. I really like that it's not taking itself or the pop culture too seriously, and expresses it through the goofy animations. But they are not just for giggles: they paint human (and humane) characters. Female characters, Disney, take note! The girls can kick some ass, they like to goof about, when they can, but at the same time, they do have their troubles (especially Rumi), and they overcome them together and go pursue their passions in order to give to the world.

Will this movie change the world as original Snow White did? Probably not. We live in a different world now, after all. But what it does is deliver a light-hearted and full-hearted story, which also delivers proper satisfaction when it ends, and may even inspire some kids. Because the movie shows good traits (and perseverance) and not just talks about them. I would even give it 9/10, docking 1 point only because I would have preferred a more fleshed-out story, if possible.