"Intoxicated by my ecstasy, you can't take your eyes off me. You need me. I am your idol!" (Sajaboys - from "Your Idol")

Boys sweep across the stage, their traditional robes fluttering. Wearing gat hats and black outfits, at first glance they resemble grim reapers from Korean folktales, but their dazzling group choreography and stage production are reminiscent of classic K-pop idols. These are the Sajaboys, a five-member boy group from the animated film "K-pop Demon Hunters."

Boy group Sajaboys is performing the 'Sodapop' stage on 'Kpop Demon Hunters.' Netflix

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The Sajaboys serve under the command of the evil spirit king "Guima" and confront the girl group Huntrix. Huntrix are the protagonists who protect the barrier "Honmun" that blocks evil spirit invasions, and their concept is inspired by the images of Blackpink and NewJeans. In contrast, Sajaboys' performances are based on BTS and Ateez.

This work is a fusion animation combining traditional Korean culture, K-pop, and fantasy action. The scenes where idols in robes and gat hats perform group choreography have sparked reactions such as, "Can tradition really be this hip?" Immediately after its release, the film reached No. 1 on Netflix in 41 countries and entered the top 10 in 93 countries.

The setting is Seoul. Real locations such as Namsan Tower, Naksan Park, and Jamsil Sports Complex appear, as well as foods like gimbap and ramen, idol-specific makeup, and stage lighting, all adding a sense of realism. Korean elements are said to blend naturally into the fantasy narrative.

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The film was produced by Sony Pictures Animation and co-directed by Maggie Kang, who worked on "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse," and Chris Appelhans. The OST was produced by The Black Label, led by Teddy. Choreography was handled by Leejung, and Twice members Jeongyeon, Jihyo, and Chaeyoung also participated in the OST. Actor Ahn Hyo-seop voiced Sajaboys leader "Jinwoo," while Lee Byung-hun played Guima in both English and Korean.

In a written interview with Asia Economy on June 26, Director Kang said, "Since childhood, my dream has been to create animations that capture Korean culture," and added, "It is highly significant as the first global animation set in modern Seoul and featuring both voice actors and vocalists who are Korean artists." She continued, "Through the concept of idols dressed as grim reapers in robes and gat hats, I wanted to bring tradition and modernity, Koreanness and popularity, together in a single story."

Both directors cited their personal experiences during the pandemic as the starting point for this work. Director Appelhans said, "Watching BTS's online concert and seeing people all over the world singing and dancing to 'Dynamite' together, I realized that even at home, millions can be connected through music," and added, "The idea that a good song can push away the darkness of the world for a moment and even defeat the demons in one's heart became a key theme of the film."

"Since childhood, my dream has been to create animations that capture Korean culture."

"It is highly significant as the first global animation featuring both voice actors and vocalists who are Korean artists."

Director Kang also said, "Humans are inherently beings who long for connection, and this film tells a story of overcoming anxiety and shame."

The girl group Huntrix in the film is made up of independent characters. They focus on their inner selves and show impressive solidarity and understanding as they fight off evil spirits together. Director Kang emphasized, "Huntrix are cool and strong, but also flawed and sometimes overeat?they are human superheroines," and added, "I wanted to portray multi-layered female characters rarely seen in previous animation."

Foreign media have also given favorable reviews. The New York Times (NYT) commented, "It is most entertaining when satirizing K-culture, K-pop, and large-scale audition programs," and added, "The action scenes are fluid, the art is visually striking, and the music serves as a dynamic storytelling tool." Variety noted, "Genre transitions are seamless, and the songs are so catchy you find yourself singing along," while Collider praised, "An intriguing world and powerful performances come together."

IGN described it as "a high-quality action musical that delivers a serious message in a lighthearted way," and Decider stated, "The premise of a girl group fighting demons naturally ties together genre satire, humor, and a relatable message," adding, "It is an example of expanding cultural genres beyond simple entertainment."