When the animated movie K-Pop Demon Hunters was released on June 20, its producers didn’t anticipate the level of success it would reach in a matter of months. In fact, during the early stages of the pandemic, Sony had originally sold off the film for a profit of $20 million to ensure their money’s return. However, the movie has taken off to become Netflix’s most-watched original film of all time, amassing over 200 million views in two months. 

The story starts with Huntrix, a k-pop girl group who stars on stage by day, and battles demons by night. To stop their success, the demon king Gwi-Ma sends a group of demons to fight the trio using the weapons they were born with – their voices. The demon band, under the name Saja Boys, skyrockets to fame, and the tension grows between Huntrix and their new enemies. As the fate of the world becomes uncertain, the two groups battle each other constantly to find out who will come out on top. But what has made K-Pop Demon Hunters so much more successful than other animated movies? Its popularity comes from two main factors – the music and the characters.

The movie’s soundtrack has taken off across platforms, reaching millions of streams and going viral on social media. For example, the song “Your Idol” by the Saja Boys became the number 1 song by a K-pop boy band on Spotify, surpassing “Dynamite” by BTS. This music has become so viral due to its careful production as well as the incredible vocalists the directors chose. Each of the vocalists bring their characters to life, hooking the listeners with their voices in addition to the incredible visuals. Each song’s lyrics tell the story of each moment for deeper insight into each character. An example is the song “How it’s Done”, where the lyrics of the bridge say “hear our voice unwavering, ’til our song defeats the night.” Huntrix prioritizes protecting their fans with their music, and demons couldn’t ever defeat them because they will never quit. Another example is the song “Your Idol” by the Saja Boys. These lyrics serve a different purpose, playing into the story of the demons’ manipulation. An example of this is the line “I’m the only one right now – I will love you more when it all burns down.” The song plays into the strategic marketing of the demons, beckoning their fans to open up before stealing their souls. These songs let viewers relive the best parts of the movie long after the credits have rolled.

The other factor that has made the movie so popular is the actual characters. While the colorful visuals and dramatic staging are all key parts of the experience, the relatable personas on screen are what fans are really passionate about. Huntrix, the starring trio of the movie, is made up of three characters – Rumi, Zoey, and Mira. While they all sing and perform like any other animated star, what makes them special is their vulnerability. Each girl has her own backstory, and strengths as well as flaws to make them relatable to the audience. Rumi, the main vocalist, struggles to accept her identity and her heritage. Zoey leaves behind her past as a teenager who grew up in a different country, and Mira overcomes her unaccepting family to find her people. All of these faults of theirs are shown through not only their voices, but also careful detail in their expressions and their body language. The genuineness of who they are has touched the hearts of thousands of fans. In addition to this detail, the movie gives detail to every character, taking care in the design of every demon, manager, or enthusiastic fan.

All of this is to say that K-Pop Demon Hunters is a movie like no other. It’s a true cinematic experience, with stunning graphics, catchy songs, and a cast of characters like no others. If you have a couple of hours to spare, head over to Netflix and let the singers of Huntrix show you how it’s done.