This is one of those movie concepts that sounds too ridiculous to be true. What do you mean a K-Pop group protects the world from a supernatural threat with the power of music, all while hunting and killing demons in their time off. It’s insane, but it’s creative and it’s fun.
KPop Demon Hunters is a movie you think would only land with a very niche audience, but has managed to become one of Netflix’s biggest hits. Without a doubt the driving force in its popularity is the soundtrack, jam-packed with K-Pop hits that are actually good even outside the context of the story. This isn’t a Joker: Folie à Deux situation where the inclusion of musical numbers is jarring – the ‘music video’ sequences are cleverly blended into the story and make sense in the context of the film. The songs are fun, catchy and make for some exciting action sequences. More often than not when Huntr/x is out slaying demons, the scene is set to the backdrop of one of their world-saving songs. It’s a fun mashup of genres that energises the film and does nothing but spread good vibes.
Not only did they go hard with the soundtrack, but they’ve given the animation a lot of flair and personality. It’s such a visually pleasing ride that I found myself admiring the animation regardless of what was happening in the story. The vibrant colours and flashy neon details give the film a unique identity that sets it well apart from other animated features. There’s also a good amount of goofy comedy spread throughout the film. It’s understandably very kid-friendly and does get a little predictable with some of its one-liners, but I don’t have many issues there.
The story, while quite solid on the surface is missing so many opportunities to really expand its depth and develop its leads. Pacing-wise the first two acts are quite consistent, easy to follow and pleasantly entertaining. The first hour had me invested in the characters and journey. They do some teasing of Rumi’s (Arden Cho) backstory and elude to some interesting character traits, teasing a much more emotionally impactful arc. Unfortunately it seems any time dedicated to fleshing out backstories is given entirely to troubled antagonist Jinu (Ahn Hyo-seop). I enjoyed what they did with his character but for him to have the only meaningful character exploration felt an odd choice. Mira (May Hong) and Zoey (Ji-young Yoo) are loveable characters with alluring personalities, but there’s so much more that could have been done with their arcs.
The third act is where the movie falls short of the mark. The events leading to the climax feel rushed and lacking impact, leading to a final confrontation that almost doesn’t feel earned in regards to Rumi’s journey. It’s as if there’s an entire sequence or two missing to really sell us on Rumi’s mindset and decision-making. An extra 10-15 minutes could have gone a long way in giving the climax more emotional impact and make the whole final third flow better. I will say, what’s happening on-screen in terms of action, animation and music is still great, it’s just story-wise that it’s missing something.
In the end, KPop Demon Hunters is a joyful blend of K-Pop music and demon-slaying action. It sounds cheesy but it works – the songs are upbeat and guaranteed to be stuck in your head, while the animation is full of colour, flair and character. The narrative is fun but lacks depth in regards to Rumi’s arc, rushing through its final act when it could have taken its time. That being said, it’s such a global sensation that you’re guaranteed to see multiple sequels, and I’ll certainly be there for them.
7.4/10
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