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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Lifestyle
Elle Hunt

What happened next: how KPop Demon Hunters became a global phenomenon and outranked Lady Gaga

KPop superstars Rumi, Mira and Zoey in Kpop Demon Hunters
Empowering … KPop superstars Rumi, Mira and Zoey in Kpop Demon Hunters. Photograph: Netflix

When KPop Demon Hunters landed on Netflix in late June, no one predicted it would become a globe-sweeping, chart-topping phenomenon. The near-instant success of the animated kids’ film caught the industry by surprise, and six months later, fans are still hungry for merchandise, music, spin-offs and more stories. Here’s what you may have missed.

It’s an animated ‘musical urban fantasy film’
The story follows a K-pop girl group called Huntr/x (pronounced “Huntrix”), who are also demon hunters, responsible for protecting humanity from supernatural threats with their combat skills and empowering pop. Their rivals are the Saja Boys, who are secretly demons. When the groups are pitted against one another, the stakes are peace on Earth, and in particular the Honmoon: the magical barrier that protects humans from the underworld. Conflict, and personal growth, ensues.

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