What makes the lore of HUNTRX so endearing is how their supernatural abilities are directly fueled by the genuine love and adoration of their fans. Instead of hiding the parts of themselves they were once insecure about, the characters—like Rumi and Meera—learn that their perceived "flaws" are actually the colors that make them brilliant. It's a gorgeous message about how standing in your truth and being honest with the people you care about can conquer any darkness.
You stated all of this so beautifully. Perfection doesn't exist, and if it did, how boring our existence would be. And you're right, while so many elements of the film are specific to Korean culture, the message of accepting who we are is universal.
I really enjoyed it too and although it was American made, it was Korean conscious enough to have it own meta-moment. When Rumi sees Jinu for the first time, the soundtrack plays the song 'Love, maybe' that was played in the concert that Tae-mu and Ha-ri attended with the tickets that Min-u bought for her birthday in episode 3 of Business Proposal. I really love these moments.
"K-dramas and Korean films represent 17% of Netflix’s top 500 non-U.S. shows, besting content from the United Kingdom and Japan."
Wow. Just wow. What an achievement by our little motherland!! I can still remember when the first Hyundai Excels came over back in the late 1980's...they were such terrible cars. You could almost scrape the paint off the hood with your fingernails! But now Hyundais regularly show up on the best of the cars lists and Samsung and LG are ubiquitous household brands. Who would've thunk it. ❤️
Yes, I remember my father wouldn't buy Korean cars because they weren't good cars way back when. I remember when LG was Goldstar and their goods were crap. We've come a long way, baby!
I didn't know LG used to be Goldstar!! And I guess the first syllable of my name = star. Though I think it's actually hanja based. A little googling of 성준 brought me to these two pages:
"...because cute idols are temporary, but girl power and friendship is forever."
Your review makes me want to watch this--and since I saw j-hope being interviewed with a Twice member I'm even more intrigued since some of Twice appears in it!
Exactly what I liked about the movie. At first I was cringing at the idea and how the themes don't really match but I was surprised at the execution. The movie was well- connected to the Korean roots and its mythology, unlike what I imagined. I really thought they will white wash it but gladly did not.
It's crazy how far korean culture has come! An animated movie about kpop idols slaying demons goes viral globally? 15-yo me never saw this coming 😂 I also wrote something about this - feel free to check it out!
I never thought any of this would happen in my lifetime. I'm so happy for the younger generation who is able to grow up seeing representation of themselves, something I never had.
I'll be sure to check out your Substack later. Thank you for sharing it!
Following your review of K-POP Demon Hunters, I will check it out. Thanks! I normally stick to dramas. But you have piqued my interest! I recently tried something Hollywood on Netflix and had trouble making it through one episode. My bad maybe for picking that particular show, but I’ve gotten super picky about the quality of what I watch, and there’s so much great content coming out of Korea, Thailand, Japan, China……Thanks!
Have spent the weekend listening to the Demon cover by Enhyphen. Crazy beautiful.
A shout out to another band that’s touring currently. The Rose. They have a good backstory (K Pop to independent/not giving up on what they believe in), and a great sound. Indie/pop/rock to my ears.
Ok, I wasn’t sure about Demon Hunters but now? I might have to give it a go once we8re done with “Doom at Your Service” (two more to go and I’m so annoyed at it and crying at the same time, dammit). Also Park Bo-gum? Also, woah, that Enhyphen cover was awesome! I’ll have to give them a listen as well!
What makes the lore of HUNTRX so endearing is how their supernatural abilities are directly fueled by the genuine love and adoration of their fans. Instead of hiding the parts of themselves they were once insecure about, the characters—like Rumi and Meera—learn that their perceived "flaws" are actually the colors that make them brilliant. It's a gorgeous message about how standing in your truth and being honest with the people you care about can conquer any darkness.
You stated all of this so beautifully. Perfection doesn't exist, and if it did, how boring our existence would be. And you're right, while so many elements of the film are specific to Korean culture, the message of accepting who we are is universal.
I am halfway through and it is dazzling.
I was so pleasantly surprised by the entire production! I love this for us!
I really enjoyed it too and although it was American made, it was Korean conscious enough to have it own meta-moment. When Rumi sees Jinu for the first time, the soundtrack plays the song 'Love, maybe' that was played in the concert that Tae-mu and Ha-ri attended with the tickets that Min-u bought for her birthday in episode 3 of Business Proposal. I really love these moments.
Great catch! Those meta moments are fun to see (hear), right?! Have a nice weekend!
"K-dramas and Korean films represent 17% of Netflix’s top 500 non-U.S. shows, besting content from the United Kingdom and Japan."
Wow. Just wow. What an achievement by our little motherland!! I can still remember when the first Hyundai Excels came over back in the late 1980's...they were such terrible cars. You could almost scrape the paint off the hood with your fingernails! But now Hyundais regularly show up on the best of the cars lists and Samsung and LG are ubiquitous household brands. Who would've thunk it. ❤️
Yes, I remember my father wouldn't buy Korean cars because they weren't good cars way back when. I remember when LG was Goldstar and their goods were crap. We've come a long way, baby!
I didn't know LG used to be Goldstar!! And I guess the first syllable of my name = star. Though I think it's actually hanja based. A little googling of 성준 brought me to these two pages:
https://en.m.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E7%9B%9B
https://en.m.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E9%A7%BF
So I think my name translates to prosperous...steed? Well, I have been called worse! 🙃
The whole of my name means being prosperous forever. They wanted me to be rich, and I chose journalism... 😬
Mine is Spine of a Scholar, which...
You're not just the spine, you're the whole of the scholar!
Haha, I love that!!
lol
"...because cute idols are temporary, but girl power and friendship is forever."
Your review makes me want to watch this--and since I saw j-hope being interviewed with a Twice member I'm even more intrigued since some of Twice appears in it!
I went into this thinking it might not be very good. But it was! I love when that happens! I hope you enjoy it, too!
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I just listened to the NPR’s “Pop Culture Happy Hour” talking about KPOP Demon Hunters. Recommending Squid Game as a sweet K-drama made laugh, loudly!
I mean, was I wrong?! 🙃
I mean, was I wrong?! 🙃
Exactly what I liked about the movie. At first I was cringing at the idea and how the themes don't really match but I was surprised at the execution. The movie was well- connected to the Korean roots and its mythology, unlike what I imagined. I really thought they will white wash it but gladly did not.
I think a lot of us were kind of like 😬 at first, hoping that they would do a good job. And they really did!
I love this representation for us-I never had this growing up and it brings me joy sharing it with my family!
Same! My child is growing up with this as the norm and I love this for him (and all the other children)!
It's crazy how far korean culture has come! An animated movie about kpop idols slaying demons goes viral globally? 15-yo me never saw this coming 😂 I also wrote something about this - feel free to check it out!
https://open.substack.com/pub/isabellewrites1/p/from-boa-to-bts-to-k-pop-demon-hunters?r=918pu&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
I never thought any of this would happen in my lifetime. I'm so happy for the younger generation who is able to grow up seeing representation of themselves, something I never had.
I'll be sure to check out your Substack later. Thank you for sharing it!
Thank you for sharing this interview - I adore Business Proposal and definitely will be checking out KPop Demon Hunters.
Following your review of K-POP Demon Hunters, I will check it out. Thanks! I normally stick to dramas. But you have piqued my interest! I recently tried something Hollywood on Netflix and had trouble making it through one episode. My bad maybe for picking that particular show, but I’ve gotten super picky about the quality of what I watch, and there’s so much great content coming out of Korea, Thailand, Japan, China……Thanks!
Have spent the weekend listening to the Demon cover by Enhyphen. Crazy beautiful.
A shout out to another band that’s touring currently. The Rose. They have a good backstory (K Pop to independent/not giving up on what they believe in), and a great sound. Indie/pop/rock to my ears.
Thanks so much, Josh! And yes, that Enhypen cover has been on heavy rotation on my playlist!
I love The Rose and profiled them for Rolling Stone (https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/the-rose-korean-rock-group-woosung-1234787472/). I also wrote about their Lollapalooza aftershow right here on Substack (https://jaehakim.substack.com/p/the-rose-lollapalooza-and-exclusive-quotes). I hope to get my review of their documentary up within the upcoming days, too.
Ok, I wasn’t sure about Demon Hunters but now? I might have to give it a go once we8re done with “Doom at Your Service” (two more to go and I’m so annoyed at it and crying at the same time, dammit). Also Park Bo-gum? Also, woah, that Enhyphen cover was awesome! I’ll have to give them a listen as well!
I'm so glad you'll give it a try. It's short and moves quickly, so it's very easy to watch! Have a great weekend, Leanne!
You gave us so much! Everything was interesting. I hadn’t heard much about Demon Hunters. I don’t watch animation but
I will have to watch it now! I’m always telling people about K-content. Yes. Enhypen’s version of Demons deserves chef kisses 😘😘😂 Thank you!
Thanks so much, Nora! You touched on everything that was important! haha
Can you tell I was pleased I was able to work in Enhypen's "Demons"? 😂
Can´t wait to see it!! Thank you so much!
I hope you enjoy it, Martha! I thought it was a lot of fun!