What started as an animated Netflix film about a fictional K-pop girl group secretly fighting demons disguised as rival boy bands has become Netflix’s most-watched original animated film. You read that right. Not just this year. Not just in South Korea. Of all time. Worldwide.
Six weeks after its release, K-Pop Demon Hunters reached its highest viewership numbers ever - something no other Netflix animated film has pulled off. While most titles burn bright and then fizzle, this one kept rising. Like the song says, it’s only “going up, up, up.”
And now, according to The Wrap, Netflix is reportedly building an entire franchise around it. We’re talking a movie trilogy, a short film, a live-action remake, a stage musical. All from a movie that most people wrote off because of its name.
Do I think this is needed? Absolutely not! But like any other successful intellectual property on the planet, they are going to take what we love and grind it until there is nothing left but dust - Some of it will be ok, some of it will be garbage - nothing will compare to the original.
Speaking of success, The film’s fictional girl group Huntrix - Rumi, Zooey, and Mira - have somehow made the leap from animation to actual chart domination. The KPDH soundtrack now has over 41 million monthly listeners on Spotify, with all eight tracks landing on the Billboard Hot 100. Their lead single Golden hit No. 2 on Billboard and just hit No. 1 in the UK, becoming the first K-pop song to top the UK charts since Gangnam Style in 2012.
In case you missed that: a fake band from a cartoon beat out real artists to dominate global charts. We are fully living in the simulation.
Netflix execs are already scrambling to lock in more. At a recent earnings call, co-chief executive Ted Sarandos called it a “phenomenal success.” The film even got a limited theatrical release in Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco just long enough to qualify for Oscar consideration. Yes. Oscars. And not just Best Animated Film - Golden might just snag Best Original Song.
Meanwhile, co-directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans told The Ankler that “it would be a missed opportunity not to pursue expanding the film.” And maybe they’re right. But honestly? I’m not sure I want a full-blown cinematic universe or a gritty live-action remake. I’d be perfectly happy with more Huntrix music - give me a full album, let them headline a virtual concert like the Gorillaz, top more charts, become a real K-pop act in their own right. Then, when there’s actually a story worth telling, come back with a second movie. Not everything needs to be milked dry the second it goes viral.
Here’s the real takeaway though: we’ve entered an era where sincerity is making a comeback. Where weirdness is embraced, not buried. K-Pop Demon Hunters is the kind of movie that would’ve gotten memed to death 10 years ago. Today, it’s breaking records.
Because maybe what we’re all craving isn’t another serious, brooding superhero flick or a “gritty reboot” of a childhood classic. Maybe we want girl groups fighting boy-band demons while dropping bangers that melt our faces off. Maybe we want something joyful, creative, chaotic - and yes, a little ridiculous.
So go ahead, laugh at the title. Then press play.
And when Huntrix returns in K-Pop Demon Hunters 2: Revenge of the Saja Boys (ok I made that up but it's an option), you’ll already have your lightstick ready.
