00:00Netflix K-pop Demon Hunters isn't just a movie, it's become a cultural movement.
00:04From box office surprises to chart-topping songs, it's everywhere right now.
00:08But why did this K-pop anime break through in such a massive way? Let's dig in.
00:14Since dropping on Netflix in June, K-pop Demon Hunters has become the streamer's most-watched
00:19animated original ever, pulling in over 210 million global views, though Red Notice still
00:24holds the number one spot overall on Netflix's website. The movie's fictional girl group Huntrix
00:29even made history when their single, Golden, reportedly hit number one on the Billboard Hot
00:34100, something no real K-pop girl group has ever achieved. For comparison, K-pop girl group
00:40Blackpink's Ice Cream with Selena Gomez debuted at number 13 in September 2020, their highest US
00:46chart entry to date, according to Billboard. Plus, the album itself also hit number two on the Billboard
00:52200, which may be why Netflix decided to release a single-long version in select theaters across
00:57the country this weekend. According to The Hollywood Reporter, a special sing-along release
01:02of K-pop Demon Hunters racked in an estimated $17 to $18 million this past weekend from just
01:081,700 theaters, and while the numbers made headlines, the vibes took over New York.
01:13As the New York Post reported, stars Arden Cho, Mae Hong, and Rae Amy kicked off a golden weekend
01:19by lighting the Empire State Building. Meanwhile, Times Square turned into a massive sing-along
01:24zone as fans packed onto open-top buses, blasting tracks like Golden, while the whole city lit up in
01:30K-pop anime fever. All signs that signal this isn't just a movie anymore, it's a cultural takeover.
01:36But why does this animation have such a chokehold on pop culture right now?
01:40According to The Cut, the reason it's hitting so hard comes down to a mix of fan power,
01:45character appeal, and authenticity. Plus, K-pop stans are some of the most dedicated fans in the world,
01:50and they've helped turn the film into a global event online. The report also credits the characters
01:54themselves, from the fierce girl group Huntrix to their demon boy band rivals, fueling endless edits,
02:00fan art, and stan culture. The Cut also credits that the story doesn't just borrow from K-pop,
02:05it weaves Korean myths, fashion, and architects seamlessly into its world, making it feel fresh,
02:10but still universal. But the biggest success is the blend between generations. Similar to Frozen,
02:16even parents are getting swept up in the story of K-pop demon hunters, with some joking they can't
02:20stop singing Golden in the carpool line. And while parents and their kids can enjoy the soundtracks
02:25together, the deeper themes, which focuses on finding your voice in a high-pressure environment,
02:30overcoming past trauma, and literally fighting demons, is more relatable to teens and adults,
02:35making it easy to enjoy while watching. So overall, it seems the movie's success comes down to a killer
02:40soundtrack, eye-catching animation, relatable characters, and the perfect mix of high-energy music
02:45with brilliant action. As for what's next, there have been no official announcements of a sequel,
02:51but the stars have said they're waiting by their phones, hoping to explore more of the characters'
02:55backgrounds. And with the recent box office buzz, chart-topping songs, and fans showing up in
03:00cosplay sing-alongs, K-pop demon hunters is looking less like a one-off experiment, and more like
03:05Netflix's answer to Frozen. But what's your take? Share your thoughts below and follow us everywhere
03:09at What's Trending.
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