Behind the Golden Success of the K-pop Industry’s Newest Idols
“Yeah, you gave me your heart, now I’m here for your soul…” 🎵
Perhaps the Saja Boys weren’t successful in their conquest of stealing more human souls, but they certainly did succeed in one thing: stealing the hearts of people all over the world. In just a matter of weeks—or days—the international sensation KPop Demon Hunters managed to grab the spot of the No. 1 most-watched movie on Netflix, immediately becoming the talk of the town (or the school) right on the first day of classes. But what exactly sets it apart from all the other movies out there?
Whether or not you’re a fan of K-pop or just someone who’s watched the movie, you’ve probably heard at least one of its songs being blasted on speaker somewhere, be it in the school auditorium or at a mall. And while the KPop Demon Hunters movie has been praised for its vibrant, unique visuals and emotionally charged plot, it is undeniable that its LSS-inducing songs are the biggest reason for its success.
KPop Demon Hunters’ catchy tunes—matched with energetic choreography and witty lyrics—have quickly become some of the most listened-to tracks in the world. With a repertoire of songs that encompass many K-pop genres, its two fictional bands’ hit songs, HUNTR/X’s “Golden” and the Saja Boys’ “Your Idol,” have managed to steal the No. 1 and No. 4 spots on the Global Spotify Chart, respectively, even beating BTS and Blackpink records on the US Spotify Charts. Hiring actual K-pop songwriters to compose the soundtrack turned out to be a genius move by its filmmakers, as it ensured that their songs stayed true to the K-pop genre, even integrating Korean lyrics despite being predominantly written in English.
Aside from the music, another contributing factor to the success of the Sony-produced movie is its accessibility. Released directly on Netflix, it’s available to viewers whenever, wherever, and however many times they want to watch it. Although movies tend to do better when they receive a theatrical release prior to digital streaming, let’s be real—before KPop Demon Hunters started trending, it wasn’t expected to be a big hit at all. In fact, it’s been called a “surprise smash” because, unless you were an avid Twice or K-pop fan, you’d have most likely watched it just for fun, without expecting much, only to end up loving it.
KPop Demon Hunters’ integration of authentic Korean culture and mythology has also set it apart from its contemporaries. Although the film was made in the USA and features English-speaking characters, it doesn’t read like a cheap, Western knock-off Korean movie. Its characters have a distinctly Korean look and sound, and the story draws solely from Korean lore—free from the influences of other nations’ myths. It certainly doesn’t hurt that its cast includes big-name Korean actors, such as Squid Game’s Lee Byung-hun and A Business Proposal’s Ahn Hyo-seop.
Regardless of its fame, however, the story and themes explored in KPop Demon Hunters aren’t particularly unique, as its message of self-worth and acceptance is a trope that is often used in movies. What makes it special is its execution: from the cohesion of the songs with the plotline all the way to its cultural authenticity, KPop Demon Hunters has surpassed the expectations of many all around the world, cementing its place as one of the most internationally popular animated films to date.
