Global Craze Spurred by KPop Demon Hunters – 25% Rise in Seoul Tourism, Drone Shows and CPR Applications Emerge

The popularity of Netflix’s animation “KPop Demon Hunters” has transcended being a mere cultural phenomenon, extending into global travel, economics, and healthcare sectors. According to travel data company Trip.com Group, global flight bookings to South Korea have increased by 25% since the film’s release on June 20, with an average monthly growth rate of 11% since that month. Asian travelers lead this trend, with China, Japan, and Vietnam constituting the top three markets. Interest is also rising in North America, as flight bookings from Canada and Australia have increased by over 50% and 20%, respectively. The Seoul Metropolitan Government reported that 1.36 million foreign tourists visited the city last July, attributing this surge largely to the film’s global popularity. Visits to cultural heritage sites featured in the movie have increased significantly; searches for the National Museum of Korea on Trip.com rose by 34% compared to the previous year, while bookings for Gyeongbokgung Palace surged by more than 115%. A Seoul walking tour themed around Bukchon Hanok Village received over 300,000 views on Trip.Pulse, a travel trend platform, and local Korean tours such as traditional tea ceremony experiences and kimchi-making workshops are also gaining popularity. Trip.com analyzed that “the majority of Asia-Pacific travelers choose their destinations based on content they have watched, with particularly high interest in media-driven travel among those aged 25–34.” The cultural impact of “KPop Demon Hunters” was evident even above Seoul’s skies. On September 7 (local time), approximately 1,200 drones illuminated the night sky over Seoul, staging a drone show that depicted the film’s protagonist Rumi alongside Korean landmarks. Attendees of the free event cheered as popular characters from the movie appeared above the city. The film’s popularity has even reached unexpected areas such as healthcare. Its soundtrack achieved a historic milestone on the Billboard Hot 100 by featuring four simultaneous top 10 hits, among which “Soda Pop” by the demon group Sahazboyz has attracted significant attention. Dr. Matthew J. Souza of the Norton Heart and Vascular Institute in Kentucky stated that “the chorus of ‘Soda Pop’ can be used to maintain the rhythm of manual CPR.” The American Red Cross recommends using music to keep CPR rhythm consistent, suggesting tracks with a BPM of 100–120 as optimal. Dr. Souza explained that “when someone close to you is afraid or nervous about performing CPR, music provides a familiar rhythm that boosts confidence and reduces anxiety.”