A K-pop girl group saving the world from demons. That premise alone was enough to grab the attention of millions of Netflix viewers around the world who also love K-pop — but what “KPop Demon Hunters” has done since its June debut on the streaming giant is nothing short of staggering.
The animated musical adventure, featuring original songs performed by actual K-pop stars, has just become the #4 most-watched Netflix movie of all time, with 158.8 million views to date (based on Netflix’s latest Top 10 data). Let’s repeat that: “KPop Demon Hunters” isn’t Netflix’s 4th biggest animated movie. We’re talking fourth biggest movie overall, period. And the momentum isn’t slowing down, more than a month after it first arrived on the streamer.
For the 7-day stretch ending August 3, “KPop Demon Hunters” was still holding strong at #2 globally among Netflix’s original films, racking up another 26.3 million views — oh, and that’s after an unheard-of seven weeks into its run. These HUNTR/X heroines are “Golden,” indeed.
A Netflix hit backed by genuine K-pop power
From Sony Pictures Animation and directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, “KPop Demon Hunters” follows the (fictional, obviously) chart-topping K-pop girl group HUNTR/X who secretly moonlight as demon slayers. The boy band that emerges in the movie as the girls’ biggest chart rival actually turns out to be a group of demons that want to steal the girls’ fanbase and generally unleash chaos.
Needless to say, both fictional groups perform top-tier, hook-filled tunes throughout the movie that I guarantee you’ll still be singing to yourself long after the credits roll. Appelhans credits the cast with giving the film “an original tone,” per Netflix’s press material, one that mixes K-drama emotion with comedic energy. The music of “KPop Demon Hunters” was also produced by industry heavyweights like TEDDY, 24, and Jenna Andrews, while the Twice track “Takedown” (performed by real-life Twice members Jeongyeon, Jihyo, and Chaeyoung) turned the film’s climactic battle into a true pop spectacle.
The film’s breakout anthem, “Golden” — with its soaring line, “We’re going up, up, up” — has also become a hit on its own and the soundtrack to many a meme across social media. It’s gone on to top the Billboard Global 200 and made history as the first all-female group song to hit #1 on the Billboard streaming songs chart. As for the movie itself, it ends on a high note as the girls choose their fans over fame and learn how to embrace their authentic selves. Long story short, what started as a fun genre mashup has grown into a true global pop culture event.
