KPop Demon Hunters
(dirs. Chris Appelhans & Maggie Kang)
By: Adam Freed
If only there were a panacea for the venomous whispers of self doubt that ruminate inside the minds of the young and impressionable. Under the oppressive density of social influence and unreachable standards, the millions of tweens and teens that represent the collective global tomorrow don’t seem to have much of a chance. No subgroup bears the brunt of social media’s daunting tsunami of judgement more than young women, making now feel like the ideal time for a new definition of girl power. As it turns out, the long overdue revitalization of the modern feminist slogan popularized by 90’s Brit-Pop superstars The Spice Girls, is the result of a glorious partnership between Sony Pictures Animation and global streaming giant Netflix. Enter KPop Demon Hunters, a Korean-based family animated adventure about a three part girl group tasked with carrying the weight of the popular music charts, in addition to protecting their homeland from Gwi-Ma, an all-powerful netherworld demon-king, voiced by Lee Byung-hun (Squid Game). As contrived as this may all sound, KPop Demon Hunters is a soaring musical adventure that instantly earns its place amongst the best animated films of the year.
One of the non-negotiable distinguishing features of a successful animated musical is that the songs must be able to breathe on their own, beyond the realm of the film’s plot. Disney is history’s unquestioned leader on this front, with innumerable memorable melodies enchanting generations of cinemagoers from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) to Moana (2016). While the Korean Pop tunes offered in KPop Demon Hunters may not be instantly recognizable to all audiences, the original songs are powerful, thematically relevant and effortlessly elevate the beautifully animated film into elite company. Directors Chris Appelhans (Wish Dragon) and newcomer Maggie Kang offer a cohesive balance between the gripping story of the demon-slaying pop triumvirate Huntr/x, and their music, which is primarily recorded by vocal leads Arden Cho (Teen Wolf), May Hong (Fantasmas) and Ji-young Yoo (Freaky Tales). Driven by its pulsing soundtrack, KPop Demon Hunters is all but guaranteed to be remembered come award season.
The pieces have come together for Sony Pictures Animation and Netflix, a partnership that has given life to a rare gem of an animated streaming film. Beyond its musical appeal, KPop Demon Hunters is a movie that families can confidently share with their children knowing that it is likely to spark meaningful dinner table conversation. While the dark shadow of social media may prey on the insecurities of youth, directing duo Appelhans and Kang’s brilliant and beautifully rendered creation radiates an illuminating glow of self-acceptance. It would seem that girl power is back, and thanks to the global reach of Netflix, KPop Demon Hunters is at long last an animated film about which it feels worth singing.
Target Score 8/10 - Modern animated musicals don’t come much better than KPop Demon Hunters. Family-friendly films that are visually alluring, thematically relevant, and musically dynamic are increasingly difficult to locate. All the more reason to celebrate the brilliance of directors Chris Appelhans and Maggie Kang and their triad of fearless songstresses.