Movie Review ~ K-Pop Demon Hunters

Beyond the musical spectacle, the film has a very interesting cultural focus. It shows us not only the glitz of K-pop, but also its roots, traditions, and the effort involved in reaching the top in such a competitive environment.

The idea is very original: taking the concept of “warriors” and mixing it with the world of Korean pop gives a fresh twist to what could have been a common story.

Under the premise of following a K-pop group made up of three girls who lead double lives (singers and demon hunters), the story talks about self-acceptance, being different, and embracing what sets us apart from the rest and turning it into a hallmark or personal brand.

So much so that it is impossible not to think of “Frozen” when the protagonist not only looks similar but also deals with a similar conflict. And although there are subplots that go in a different direction, none of them are particularly original.

The K-pop warriors are, to put it bluntly, heirs to those 80s anime series. With their music, the power of friendship, the sisterhood among the band members, a kawaii aesthetic with lots of outfits, and good battle choreography, they have a storyline about fighting evil and demons that works quite well.

The group of villains, the Saja Boys, demons who want to destroy our heroines, have a pretty cool aesthetic, with those dark Korean period costumes, hats, and contact lenses. The truth is that they are quite convincing, both comically and menacingly.

And the subplot of fears and dread, in that mix they create about what turns a human into a demon with a dash of Devil May Cry and Bayonetta (because of those half-human, half-demon offspring), also works quite well, to the point that you wish they would develop the drama of those affected more.

The animation is top-notch and very expressive in the super-deformed scenes to highlight the comic gags, which abound.

The K-pop Warriors is an entertaining film, visually stunning, with some spectacular action choreography, catchy songs, and an energy that overflows with creativity and love for the expressiveness of animation.

I had a good time watching it and wouldn't mind if a sequel came out, because it has the potential to go further if they smooth out a few rough edges and, above all, are less afraid to tell a story we haven't already seen 200 times.