Format: Streaming video from NetFlix on Fire!
Based on the film’s almost immediate cultural impact, I suppose I wasn’t really surprised at the Oscar nomination for KPop Demon Hunters. When this hit NetFlix, it became a huge sensation. What better place to start going through Oscar movies than this, I thought. It’s not a movie I would normally choose to watch and I’ll knock it out quickly and move on. Honestly, my original plan was to watch One Battle After Another, but by the time I had a chance to sit down with a movie, it would have taken my past midnight to finish. And so, KPop Demon Hunters it is.
This is a film where I want to spend a lot of time on what it is and less on the plot, so I’m going to speedrun the story in three paragraphs. Years ago, demons plagued the Earth, collecting souls and feeding them to Gwi-Ma (Byung-hun Lee), the demon king. A trio of women rose up to stop the demons, and pushed them back both with fighting skill and with the power of song, which created a magical barrier called the Honmoon. As time progressed, new signing trios emerged to maintain the Honmoon and fight against the demons who managed to break through.
The brings us to today, with Korean super-pop group Huntrix (sort of lampshading their purporse). This girl band trio comprises Zoey (Ji-young Yoo, sung by Rei Ami), the group’s lyricist and rapper; Mira (May Hong, sung by Audrey Nuna), the main dancer and choreographer; and Rumi (Arden Cho, sung by Ejae, voiced by Rumi Oak as a child), the lead vocalist. Wildly popular, the group works to strengthen the Honmoon and kill demons, and plans to create something called the Golden Honmoon, which will seal out the demons forever.
But, Rumi has a secret—she was born of the union between a former hunter and a demon, which means she has demonic traits that she has kept hidden. Now, under pressure, her voice is failing and the group is facing a challenge from a boy band called Saja Boys. What they know and others don’t is that Saja Boys, led by Jinu (Hyo-seop Ahn, sung by Andrew Choi) are all demons…and there might be a connection between him and Rumi.
Now here’s the thing: this is pretty standard anime-style plot. Powered and talented people, weird plot points, demons, singing battles, combat with martial weaponry, and more. Like I said, I went into this wanting to check off a box and start getting through the collection of Oscar films on my list. What I did not expect was how much fun I would have watching this, or how funny it would be.
I say this unabashedly as a grown man with grown children, as someone nearing his 60th birthday, that KPop Demon Hunters might be the most fun I’ve had watching a movie this year. I have 100% bought into this as a worthy nomination, and while I haven’t seen all of the nominees yet (my expectation is that Zootopia 2 will win), this is very likely to be my pick next year for the top prize.
Why? Because it’s fun. Because Zoey, Mira, and Rumi are fun characters who have real motivations. Sure, they’re cartoons and they are super-demon hunters and battle queens. But they are easy to root for and easy to like. They genuinely like each other and look out for each other, and they seem to have a good and friendly relationship with Bobby (Ken Jeong), their manager. I want them to succeed. Oh, I know they will going in, but I want them to, and that’s not always the case.
It works because the mythology it creates is consistent and not overly complicated. Song as the thing that keeps demons in check? Sure, why not—as long as it stays consistent to the story, it works for me. It also works because it’s funny. The animation style often shifts depending on what is happening—there’s a lot of comic moments, or sequences that are more chibi-like, and it all works.
Finally, and importantly, the songs are great. I don’t generally care a hoot about K-pop or a lot of current music in general, but the songs are entertaining, and I can easily imagine young kids being attracted to this initially because of the music.
I never thought I would say this, but KPop Demon Hunters lives up to the hype. No one is more surprised than I am. People will look at you funny for enjoying this. Those people are wrong.
Why to watch KPop Demon Hunters: It’s funny and the songs are bangers.
Why not to watch: People might look at you funny for watching it if you’re not an 11-year-old girl.
I skipped your plot summary because this is on my watch list, but now I'll move it to the top! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteIt was so goddam enjoyable. I genuinely want to watch it again.
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