KPop Demon Hunters Becomes a Cultural Phenomenon in Korea Thanks to Its Accurate Depiction of Korean Culture

Netflix’s animation “KPop Demon Hunters” is sparking a cultural phenomenon in Korea as well. Even two months after its release, it has received high praise for accurately portraying Korean culture in a foreign-created work, significantly boosting interest in traditional culture. Korean viewers emphasize the film’s meticulous attention to historical accuracy. A viewer based in Seoul told BBC that most foreign works depicting Korean culture in the past contained numerous errors and often confused it with Chinese or Japanese culture. In contrast, they expressed astonishment at “KPop Demon Hunters,” saying, “Everything from the thatched-house scenes set during the Joseon Dynasty in the opening to the hanbok costumes and hairstyles of the common people is perfectly historically accurate.” The film’s impact is evident in the increase in visitors to the National Museum of Korea. While the museum has already recorded the highest number of visitors in Asia, it now experiences a “first-come, first-served” situation where lines form outside the doors every morning before opening. In particular, the badges inspired by the traditional folk painting “Jagho-do,” featuring the tiger character “Duffy” and the magpie character “Seo-si” from the film, are selling out daily. One visitor reported arriving at the museum at 10 a.m. on Monday to coincide with opening hours but finding that ticket number distribution had already ended, with nearly 100 people gathered inside the souvenir shop. Sales of traditional crafts have also surged dramatically. The owner of the design brand “HeeMuse,” which focuses on traditional culture, stated that sales have increased by more than five times since the film’s release. In particular, sales of tiger-shell trinkets and new products related to Jagho-do have skyrocketed, with orders pouring in not only from within Korea but also overseas, prompting the company to start exporting products to the United States and Australia for the first time. The emotions felt by Korean viewers toward the film go beyond simple cultural pride. They express empathy for scenes where the protagonist Rumi tries to hide her identity and feels shame and embarrassment, noting that such psychological states are deeply connected to the culture of being mindful of others in Korean society. One viewer said, “By having these emotions depicted from an external perspective while living in Korean society, I was able to view them more objectively.” This surge in interest in “KPop Demon Hunters” not only enhances international attention toward Korean traditional culture but also fosters pride in one’s own culture and creates new opportunities for discovery within Korea itself.