The Reel Review
Members of a world-famous K-Pop girl group juggle their lives as entertainers with their secret identities as demon hunters as one of the girls comes to terms with a personal secret. Arden Cho, May Hong, Ji-young Yoo and Ahn Hyo-seop star in this animated musical action/adventure.
KPop Demon Hunters is a huge (and oftentimes subversive) love letter to K-Pop (Korean pop) fans as well as enthusiasts of visually trippy animation, showcasing music videos of super catchy K-Pop tunes incorporated into an otherwise somewhat predictable story about teenagers saving the world. Where Kpop Demon Hunters truly shines is in its incorporation of Korean folklore set to dazzling animation and the aforementioned, toe-tapping tunes. Even the demonic K-pop boy band has some fun earworms.
The only criticism of KPop Demon Hunters is its slow spots, which drag a bit after all the fun, frenetic energy of other elements of the film. But even so, the emotionally empowering personal message about acknowledging one’s weaknesses to turn them into strengths makes this animated film fresh and exciting.
REEL FACTS
• KPop Demon Hunters has become Netflix’s most watched animated film of all time, with more than 80 million views in three weeks.
• The hit song “Golden” from Kpop Demon Hunters reached #1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 chart and the Billboard Global 200 chart. “Golden” is also going to be submitted for awards consideration.
• A sing-along version of Kpop Demon Hunters will premiere at theaters on August 22nd.
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