How “Kpop Demon Hunters” became the most watched animated film in Netflix's story and a world music success

So what is behind this extraordinary success and why does it resonate with such force among the world public?

KPop Demon Hunters Follow the story of Gass/X, a K-Pop female group (Rumi, Mira and Zoey) who are also secret guardians of the world.

Beyond the glamor of the stage, these global superstars protect their fans from supernatural threats, facing their homologous villains, the Saja Boys.

This animated film combines action with a story about friendship, trust and faithfulness to one's identity.

With its dazzling visual effects, ingenious sequences of action, humor and a touch of fantasy, along with a universal message about self -discovery, it is easy to see its appeal.

But the music of the film has been the key to its success.

Maggie Kang, the Korean-Canadian co-director of the film, apparently inspired the k-pop idols she admired as a child.

The K-Pop is the soul of the film.

Group's music becomes a supernatural weapon that scares the dark forces. Each original theme amplifies the emotional moments.

“Unlike other animation films, in which the songs are usually added as filling or commercial hook, here the music was integrated into the narrative in a way that enhances it instead of distracting it,” says Lashai Ben Salmi, community leader specialized in Korean culture in Europe.

“It gives the film a surprising level of maturity.”

Knowing the importance of the soundtrack, directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans resorted to the experience of experienced K-Pop producers.

The K-Pop has become a multimillion-dollar industry, driven by a faithful global fans base and known for its catchy and meticulously produced music, its vibrant choreographies and its visually impressive musical videos.

“As we wanted music to be really incredible, which would really connect with K-Pop fans and to fully integrate into the world of K-Pop, we consider it important to associate with a Korean stamp,” Kang said during a press interview for Netflix.

The film was possible thanks to the help of prominent musical producers, such as Teddy Park, known for his work with Blackpink, and Lindgren, winner of a Grammy and who has worked with BTS and Twice.

Amanda Becka, a young creator of resident content in Los Angeles, tells the BBC that she is not a great K-Pop fans, but who has become obsessed with the film and the songs.

“I've been putting the soundtrack at full volume on Spotify every time I go by car,” he says. “I am always fascinated by the universal language of music, through different cultures.”

Kim Youngdae, music critic and ethnomusicologist specialized in K-Pop, states that the film is attractive even for those who have little interest in the K-Pop or simply feel curious.

“During the last 20 or 30 years, the K-Pop has had difficulty integrating naturally in what we call dominant pop culture, as in the United States or the United Kingdom … due to cultural barriers,” he declares to the BBC. “But animation is a very effective way to introduce unknown cultures in conventional platforms.”

Another key reason for the popularity of the film is the growing world familiarity with Korean culture. K-pop, Korean cinema and Korean dramas have already become popular in Western markets such as the American, and this film reflects that cultural change with remarkable authenticity.

Carefully interwoven everyday elements of Korean life, especially around food and gastronomic customs, which are an essential part of culture.

Also capture scenes from places such as the old walls that dominate Seoul, Hanuiwon (Korean Traditional Medicine Clinics), Public Bathrooms and the iconic Namsan Tower. These elections reflect a conscious effort to portray Korean culture beyond clichés and superficial images.

It offers Korean spectators an exceptional feeling of representation that feels at the same time precise and respectful.

To achieve this level of authenticity, the production team traveled to South Korea and conducted an exhaustive investigation into both traditional and modern aspects of Korean culture, from traditional clothing to Seoul monuments.

“We went to traditional peoples, we observed the appearance of bricks and the design of the streets of Myeongdong. We took photographs because capturing the sensation is fundamental,” Kang said. “We tried to make the film the greatest possible Korean air. And a way to achieve it was to incorporate Korean elements in each scene and in each aspect of the design.”

An example of this cultural sensitivity is found in the animation itself. Although the characters speak English in the final version, the animators designed the movements of their mouths to coincide with the Korean pronunciation. The characters's reactions are authentically Korean, and also say or sing some words in Korean.

“We encourage the movie with the idea that we wanted to make sure that everything sounded Korean, and that the reactions of the characters also felt Korean,” Kang said.

In addition, the film vividly captures the unique culture of K-Pop, immersing viewers in the world of Fandom. It includes authentic details such as autograph signature events, colored lights and Korean banners.

The gober/Xy Saja Boys perform perfectly synchronized dances, known as Kalgunmu in Korean.

With its deep knowledge of the K-Pop's fans culture, the film invites the public to connect with the characters as if they were true idols.

“Thanks to the concept of K-Pop, we were able to include a wide range of k-pop bands. It is not a particular group or a particular time, but about the entire culture of K-Pop,” Kim said.

“K-pop fans often focus on individual groups, but this film covers the culture of K-Pop as a whole.”

And the film creates a unique mixture of traditional Korean culture with contemporary K-pop. The use of swords and fans of the Women's Group Gred/X reminds Korean shamans called Mudang, while their rivals, the Saja Boys, represent evil spirits dressed as the Korean grief.

Korean shamanism appears in symbolic elements such as the trees D Angsan (Deified Tree) and the Dokkaebi (Korean elves). Even for weapons traditional Korean designs are used, while the backdrop of the stage has traditional Korean paintings. Two pets -derpy, a tiger, and Susy, a Urraca- have a special meaning in the popular stories of the end of the Joseon dynasty, symbolizing guardianship and good fortune.

Under its vibrant surface, the film conveys a universal message about characters that fight to accept themselves, and finally recover their true identity.

It is a maturity trip that resonates in different cultures. Even those who are not familiar with K-Pop or Korean traditions can connect with their themes.

“It's about self -acceptance,” says Becka. “Your friends may not understand at the beginning, but … they will love you and understand it. I think that has penetrated the people.”

One of the stars of KPop Demon Hunters He says that the success of the movie “looks like a dream.”

Ejae, who co -written and performed the song GoldenHe told BBC Newsbeat that he felt “honest” for his success.

“It's as if I was surfing for the first time and just spending a great wave,” he says.

“And I'm doing everything I can to overcome it.”

Ejae says that the support avalanche has been “overwhelming.”

He won almost 100,000 followers on Instagram in a month and says that he has been used to being the center of attention instead of “working behind the scene.”

The team of KPop Demon Hunters I knew that Golden It would be a success when they wrote it, she says, but they had no idea how big it would become.

But Ejae has an idea of why the song has captivated so many fans.

“I think we are at a time when we need hope and people want it,” he says.

“And this song is very hopeful, simply elevates your voice and is a very powerful song.

“I think that is what people need right now.”

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