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This review may contain spoilers
Everything I love about Kpop Demon Hunters
Like most people, I had no idea this movie was even coming out. I just woke up one morning and suddenly it was all anyone could talk about. The moment I saw the stellar animation, I knew I was in for a ride. What I didn’t expect was the emotional rollercoaster it would take me on. For a kids’ movie, it goes surprisingly deep—just enough to deliver a powerful message about guilt, shame, and ultimately, acceptance. That’s what really stood out to me: not just the eye-catching animation or the impeccable voice acting, but the way the theme of acceptance was brought to life through the songs and the amazing lead characters.
Now, for what didn’t sit right with me: there’s really only one thing. Jinu figures out Rumi’s patterns during their very first fight, while her friends—who’ve been fighting alongside her for years—never noticed them. It felt a little inconsistent. But honestly, it’s a minor issue, and I get that it had to happen to move the plot forward. So, no big deal.
As for the positives, I can confidently say I loved almost everything about this movie. The animation blew my mind, and that’s saying a lot because I’ve seen a ton of different styles. Having watched shows like Arcane, Blue Eye Samurai, and Samurai Jack, I didn’t think there was much left that could genuinely impress me. But this did. It’s playful, flexible, and just a joy to watch. The voice acting was excellent, except Gwi ma who wasn't menacing or scary at all—but props to the casting director—and the songs were on another level. It’s been so long since I’ve seen an animated musical this good. Moana 2, Frozen 2, Wish, etc. were major disappointments, & I'm glad that k-pop Demon Hunters came along to remind Disney what those movies should feel like.
Like I said, the key takeaway for me was the themes/central message. I love how the patterns are used both metaphorically & literally to represent one's shame & guilt. The movie does an excellent job of showing the power that secrets & shame can have over a person in their relationship with themselves & others, and how the more we try to hide our supposed flaws, we go deeper into more lies, secrets, deception, I even begin to hurt & disappoint the one we love because of our words & behaviors. I never expected a kids-friendly movie to teach such valuable lessons! That if we come to accept ourselves & put aside our fear of rejection, if we trust our loved ones with the truth, they could accept us too. Because love is all about forgiveness & acceptance.
I also love how Jinu's arc features a redemption that teaches us that it's never too late to change & do the right thing no matter how far gone you think you are.
I've heard lots of complaints about the ending. People say that they were made to sympathize with the demons only for them to all be banished. I understand that art is open to different interpretations, but I never saw it that way. This movie was never leading up to a place of demon-human coexistence. That's evident in the fact that they never even bothered developing the characters of the two Saja boys. It was about the personal journeys of two people coming to terms with their mistakes & learning to accept themselves for who they are. And yes, defeating the villain with the power of love & friendship is corny, but the world building established from the start that such things do have power.
Anyway, maybe a sequel could explore the possibility of demon-human coexistence. If it's not already clear by now, I loved this movie, and I know you loved it too, but I sincerely hope that my review made you love it more.
Now, for what didn’t sit right with me: there’s really only one thing. Jinu figures out Rumi’s patterns during their very first fight, while her friends—who’ve been fighting alongside her for years—never noticed them. It felt a little inconsistent. But honestly, it’s a minor issue, and I get that it had to happen to move the plot forward. So, no big deal.
As for the positives, I can confidently say I loved almost everything about this movie. The animation blew my mind, and that’s saying a lot because I’ve seen a ton of different styles. Having watched shows like Arcane, Blue Eye Samurai, and Samurai Jack, I didn’t think there was much left that could genuinely impress me. But this did. It’s playful, flexible, and just a joy to watch. The voice acting was excellent, except Gwi ma who wasn't menacing or scary at all—but props to the casting director—and the songs were on another level. It’s been so long since I’ve seen an animated musical this good. Moana 2, Frozen 2, Wish, etc. were major disappointments, & I'm glad that k-pop Demon Hunters came along to remind Disney what those movies should feel like.
Like I said, the key takeaway for me was the themes/central message. I love how the patterns are used both metaphorically & literally to represent one's shame & guilt. The movie does an excellent job of showing the power that secrets & shame can have over a person in their relationship with themselves & others, and how the more we try to hide our supposed flaws, we go deeper into more lies, secrets, deception, I even begin to hurt & disappoint the one we love because of our words & behaviors. I never expected a kids-friendly movie to teach such valuable lessons! That if we come to accept ourselves & put aside our fear of rejection, if we trust our loved ones with the truth, they could accept us too. Because love is all about forgiveness & acceptance.
I also love how Jinu's arc features a redemption that teaches us that it's never too late to change & do the right thing no matter how far gone you think you are.
I've heard lots of complaints about the ending. People say that they were made to sympathize with the demons only for them to all be banished. I understand that art is open to different interpretations, but I never saw it that way. This movie was never leading up to a place of demon-human coexistence. That's evident in the fact that they never even bothered developing the characters of the two Saja boys. It was about the personal journeys of two people coming to terms with their mistakes & learning to accept themselves for who they are. And yes, defeating the villain with the power of love & friendship is corny, but the world building established from the start that such things do have power.
Anyway, maybe a sequel could explore the possibility of demon-human coexistence. If it's not already clear by now, I loved this movie, and I know you loved it too, but I sincerely hope that my review made you love it more.
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