Movie Time: KPop Demon Hunters

 It's Movie Time!

Sometimes something happens in pop culture that is so pervasive, so ubiquitous, it becomes impossible to ignore.

Which brings us to the topic of today's movie post, KPop Demon Hunters.

"Golden", the hit singe from the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack, was a perpetual presence on pop music radio.

The women who give voice to the movie's KPop power trio were making the rounds of all the talk shows. 

KPop Demon Hunters  was present at this year's Macy's Thanksgiving Parade.

The season premiere of Saturday Night Live had a sketch where Bad Bunny's character is obsessed with KPop Demon Hunters.

KPop Demon Hunters was everywhere.

And I didn't get it! 

I was on the outside looking in.

When Dean suggested watching KPop Demon Hunters this summer, I said no.

When Thanksgiving rolled around, I was all "Fuck it! Let's watch this thing!"

With that ringing endorsement....

KPop Demon Hunters is the must see movie hit of the year! Dave-El of I'm So Glad My Suffering Amuses You says "Fuck it! Let's watch this thing!"

Here's today's Movie Time Post about KPop Demon Hunters.

It's plot exposition time! 

• There's a big bad known as Gwi-Ma.
• He hungers for human souls.
• His demons prey on humans.
• They feed human souls to Gwi-Ma.

You got all that? Good! 

(Or not. I don't care. I'm pushing on through.)

• A trio of women rose up!
• They hunt the demons!
• They fight the demons! 
• They sing to the demons! 

Wait! Who does what to who with what now?

Their singing voices form a magical barrier called the Honmoon!

Mystic power of the Honmoon acts to

• repulse
• resist
• fight
• deflect
• turn back
• fend off
• withstand
• oppose
• stave off
• beat off
• ward off  
• defy
• hold off
• rebuff

...demons! 

Over generations, trios of women singers stand as the ultimate line of defense against demons with the ultimate goal of creating a Golden Honmoon which will permanently seal off Earth from demons forever!

Wow! That's a lot of backstory and we haven't started the movie yet.

In the present, the K-pop girl group Huntrix—composed of Rumi, Mira, and Zoey—are the latest demon-hunting trio.

Plot twist! Rumi is part demon!

Rumi is keeping her demon attributes (such as strange tatoo-like markings on the skin) hidden from everyone including her best friends in Huntrix. Rumi is filled with anxiety and self-loathing about being part demon.  She is anxious to launch the Golden Honmoon, believing it will obliterate her demon side forever.

Huntrix does appear to be on a glide path to their goal of creating the Golden Honmoon. Huntrix is incredibly popular with a vast and insanely devoted fan base.

Nothing can stop them now! 

Except...

The Saja Boys, a rival K-pop boy band.

Well, what's the harm? A little healthy competition never hurt anyone.

Except...

The Saja Boys are demons! 

Oh no! 

The Saja Boy are lead by Jinu, a human-turned-demon. In exchange for stopping Huntrix from creating the Golden Honmoon, Gwi-Ma promises to erase Jinu's painful human memories. 

Rumi and Jinu have a one-on-one encounter, demon hunter vs. demon! The fight is ON!

Except...

Maybe not.  

Because of their mutual duo natures of demon + humanity, Rumi and Jinu click on an emotional level.

Is it... love?

Or is Jinu playing Rumi for a sucker?

Long story made short, things get worse before they get better.

Wouldn't be much of a movie if they didn't. 

KPop Demon Hunters is a remarkable movie. 

The animation pops with a vibrant use of color, innovative designs and powerful staging for action sequences.

The story works on the basic level of good vs. evil but there are deeper themes to be found. Rumi's struggles with her identity, over who she really is and her concerns of being accepted or outcast. This storyline resonates quite strongly.  

And there's the not so small matter of music. Even if you're not a fan of K-pop, the tunes are catchy and are actually integral to the plot. 

Thanks to Dean and peer pressure from nearly all of America to convince me to watch KPop Demon Hunters. It is not necessarily a movie I would've chosen on my own but I'm glad I got a chance to experience this most interesting and distinctive film.  

Huntrix, take us out with "Golden".