Netflix’s “KPop Demon Hunters” Sparks Global Interest and Rekindles Focus on Korean Culture

Netflix’s animated series “KPop Demon Hunters” has generated worldwide popularity, driving a surge in interest in Korean culture. Set against major landmarks in Korea, the show follows K-pop girl groups as they battle evil spirits, and it has become one of Netflix’s most-watched titles ever. The series’ appeal lies in its seamless integration of Korean elements. Locations such as Naksan Fortress Trail and Namsan Tower appear in the background, while Korean foods like kimbap, ramen, eomuk, and gukbap are featured. The stage costumes for the main characters, the Huntrixes, combine modernized versions of hanbok and hair ornaments, and the Ilwolobongdo painting originally placed behind the throne during the Joseon Dynasty is used as a backdrop during performances. The exorcism weapons are inspired by traditional weapons like the Joseon-era singeom and Gaya gokdo, while the male idol group of evil spirits, the Saja Boys, wear black guardian lion robes and hats. In particular, the tiger character Duffy and the magpie character Seo Si are inspired by the traditional Korean folk art motif of the magpie and tiger. Duffy’s black stripes, plump paws, and yellow and orange eye outlines share similarities with the tigers depicted in these folk paintings. In folk art, tigers symbolize protection from bad luck and the expulsion of evil spirits, while magpies are regarded as creatures that bring good news in the new year. This cultural backdrop has generated enthusiasm among fans both at home and abroad, leading to various forms of merchandise development. At the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, the “MY K-Memory” booth organized by the Korean Tourism Organization from the 26th to the 28th saw high demand for coloring sheets featuring landmarks from cities like Gyeongju and Busan, traditional knot bracelet-making, and digital tattoo experiences. The booth also featured specially created tiger keychains modeled after Duffy from “KPop Demon Hunters” and traditional knot bracelets, attracting many visitors. Everland in Yongin has been operating a “KPop Demon Hunters” themed zone since the 26th through the end of the year. Entering through a gate styled like a Hanok, visitors are greeted by large LED screens displaying key scenes from the series and popular OSTs such as “Golden” and “Soda Pop.” Illustrations of the Huntrixes and Saja Boys, life-sized statues, and a large Duffy art sculpture are on display, allowing guests to experience the characters’ stories through mission-based games and interactive photo zones. The impact of “KPop Demon Hunters” is also evident in music charts. Its soundtrack reached the top of the Billboard 200 chart, and the track “Golden” held the first place position for a total of five weeks. This makes it the second longest-running number-one song in K-pop history after BTS’s “Butter” in 2021, the third longest-running number-one song for a female group, and the longest-running number-one song among animated series tracks. Meanwhile, alongside the series’ popularity, some negative effects have been noted. On the 18th, Shriners Hospital for Children in Boston issued a statement warning that the trend of imitating the series by eating instant ramen is a major cause of burns among children. Dr. Colin Ryan from Shriners Hospital stated, “One in three child burn patients is injured due to instant ramen,” adding that “instant ramen is extremely prone to tipping over due to its design, and children’s thinner skin increases the risk even further.” Videos tagged with hashtags such as #KPopNoodleChallenge and #DemonHuntersRamen are flooding platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Additionally, Netflix is collaborating with official auction house Withmu to sell official HUNTR/X and Saja Boys lightsticks. These lightsticks were produced by Copan Global, the company known for manufacturing official K-pop lightsticks, and they feature synchronization with the groups’ music. Pre-orders are available through Withmu and Hello82 at a price of around $65, with sales starting on November 14th and deliveries scheduled to begin on November 24th.