KPop Demon Hunters
Everyone knows I hate, well, I rarely enjoy musicals. This movie is totally a musical, with a roster of Korean style pop songs. KPop. That’s seriously all I know about that style, that the K stands for Korean. In my current routine of fighting against current phenoms and then giving in after a good fight, I have entered the world of Korean teeny bopper music. Kelly Rippa, America’s daytime mom, said she liked it so I watched it. I wonder where today’s youth got the idea that a celebrity should have a say in what you enjoy watching.
Anywho, in a brief introduction a voice over narrator (who sounds a lot like Michelle Yeoh) explains that long ago a tradition began where in each generation a trio of girls were born with the ability to kill demons.
*screech*
Hold up, that sounds suspiciously like… Hang on, let’s continue.
They SLAY demons with their singing voices, after a rigorous training. Here’s a child’s poem from the start of the movie:
We are hunters
Voices strong
Slaying demons with our song
Fix the world and make it right
When darkness finally meets the light
Okay, this is basically a twenty-first century, Korean Buffy the Vampire Slayer story. With music, and three girls instead of one. The better to harmonize with.
I noticed this pretty well right away and it made me laugh, in a good way. There are a lot of ideas pulled from previous big fantasy stories. I really enjoyed the Korean version of the Three Eyed Raven, and his pal the Korean Cheshire Cat. Seriously, I loved it. They’re super cute, and completely fit into this fantasy world. I laughed often because the humor is spot on, and something even an old lady like me can appreciate. I really liked the quick jab during the girls’ introductions, with Mira being SO COOL she rocked a sleeping bag at the Met Gala. The humor is grounded in the real world and completely irreverent, as a Buffy styled show should be.
Into the screaming hordes of Huntrix fans is thrown an opposing boy band, consisting of boy demons who sing even dumber songs and become instant heartthrobs. I recognized the Korean boy band tropes, because I don’t live completely under a rock, and I saw BTS on Kelly Rippa’s show.
The girls, saving the world with teenage attitude (yes, that made me laugh every time) go mano a mano against these boy demons, with head girl Rumi fighting her growing attraction to the head boy demon, Jinu. (A little Buffy and Spike drama, anyone?) The story is pretty straightforward and has been done many times, but it’s cutely told here and I enjoyed it. Part of the reason I liked it is the fusion of animation styles. Zoey, the third girl, totally gives off Venellope vibes from Disney’s Wreck-it Ralph. She’s a bit Disney princess, and the animation also gives Pixar and a sprinkle of DreamWorks.
It is a musical. So all the music sounds pretty much the same. It’s got a good beat, I could dance to it (which is an ancient joke my elder fans will appreciate).
This is a Korean movie, so a very strong theme is “hiding faults and fears”. That wasn’t overtly hit much, I suspect because the makers figured American audiences wouldn’t relate well and went with a standard reacting to guilt. Everything else, though, is spot on. It’s pretty, it has tried and true Buffy tropes, it’s funny, and has a lot of nifty characters. There’s music. I liked this film quite a bit, though not enough to explore the sing along version provided by Netflix. I didn’t go for that with Shrek, either. Watch this movie for sure, it’s a lot of fun.
Triggers: animated violence and scary demon faces. Music.
Available on: Netflix, appleTV, Fandango at Home
LINKS:
CFR: In Addition
OMG I LOVE Kpop Demon Hunters!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!! I’m so happy Cranky liked it too. Also, wow. I love Buffy the Vampire Slayer and totally missed all of the similarities because I was just like OH WOW THIS IS SO MUCH FUN AND I LOVE IT!
First, I really like how our heroines are drawn as pretty pop stars who then do crazy things and pull funn expressions that I do not associate with teenage pop stars. I love how they stuff their faces and carb load before a show. I love how they plan to eat massive quantities of food while sitting on the couch to chill. Don’t forget the “Couch! Couch!” chant too. I love how they grunt and yell with each other totally awesome.
I also agree with Cranky that it is fun to see, what I presume, are Korean folk tale/fantasy characters. Like the raven and the tiger. I love them! They are so much fun! I have seen videos explaining the cultural significance to these beings and of course I just can’t remember enough to actually share it here. Please look things up yourself. Lots of people have commented on the powerful use of these Korean archetypes and also the struggles of the young women. I also really like that the women are reflective of themselves and their lives.
They also LOVE and protect their fans! No demon men hurting their fans!!
Also, well sorry but a bit spoilery here. Our heroines win because they accept their own flaws within themselves and each other. Classic heroine’s journey. Just perfect.
Why did I cover up the colors stuck inside my head?
I should’ve let the jagged edges meet the light instead
Show me what’s underneath, I’ll find your harmony
The song we couldn’t write, this is what it sounds like
Now I LOVE the music and of course own it and listen to it a lot. In fact, I have even linked some videos of songs I like below.
As I write this I am pretty sure that Kpop Demon Hunters 2 is in the works. Good. I am sure that I speak for others when I say MORE!!!
Oh and Cranky, come on over and watch 2 with me. 🙂
My all time favorite. It gives me chills. WOW!
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