I’ve been totally hooked on KPop Demon Hunters on Netflix ever since I watched it.
Here are fascinating cultural details hidden throughout the movie!
Quick Summary
- KPop Demon Hunters looks like a stylish action-fantasy where a girl group fights evil spirits with music and martial arts.
- But under all the neon colors and amazing performances lies deeper Korean folklore.
- From ancient guardian shrines to mythical creatures, this concept is packed with cultural references.
Honestly, the hardest part for me was getting past the title.
But once I hit play, I was all in.
The songs were amazing, obviously, but what really grabbed me were the little cultural moments.
Like how often HUNTRIX was eating kimbap, just like real K-pop idols, who often rely on quick meals because of their packed schedules.
Or that scene where the girls took Rumi to a gukbap restaurant when she was feeling down about losing her voice. They even placed a napkin under the spoon and chopsticks, and Mira sat with one leg up, just like people do when sitting on the floor at home. All super accurate!
Let’s take a look at some more cultural gems from the movie.
Celine and the Sacred Seonangdang
Celine is the one who trained the girls, HUNTRIX.
She’s always standing in front of a big tree because she’s been protecting a Seonangdang (서낭당) on Jeju Island.
A seonangdang is a type of Korean folk shrine dedicated to guardian spirits.
It’s an old sacred tree, often found at village entrances.
You’ll notice some spots with stacks of stones, wrapped in colorful ropes and decorations. These are actually a village totem, meant to bring good fortune and ward off evil spirits.
By placing this shrine, the movie taps into shamanism and spirit worship.
Celine’s role is rooted in Korea’s deep history of female shamans and nature-based spiritual traditions.
If you want to learn more about the inspiration behind the first generation of hunters, check out Things About Korean Shaman Mudang!
Derpy and Sussie (Tiger and Magpie)
My favorite characters!
Derpy Tiger is based on Hojakdo, a traditional Korean folk painting that features a tiger and magpie.
In Korea, tigers represent strength and the power to ward off evil, while magpies symbolize good news.
Derpy might act like a goofy sidekick, but when evil spirits show up, his eyes glow red and his growls sound scary.
Sussie the magpie is sleek, intelligent, and slightly annoyed at Derpy’s antics.
Sussie wears a gat, the small black wide-brimmed hat traditionally worn by Korean men.
Jinu originally made it for Derpy, but Sussie stole it.
The Symbolism Behind HUNTRIX
Even the girl group’s logo has meaning.
It was inspired by the norigae design, a traditional Korean ornament that women used to wear with hanbok.
Norigae often feature colorful tassels and intricate knots, and they’re not just decorative, they also serve as charms for good luck, wealth, or health.
I love how the movie blended Korean tradition with modern girl group culture.
Are The Saja Boys Grim Reapers?
Opposing HUNTRIX is the all-male group Saja Boys.
Their name has a clever double meaning. Saja means both “lion” and “grim reaper” in Korean, so their group logo was a lion.
Each member of the Saja Boys is inspired by mythical creatures and ghosts of Korea.
- Dokkaebi (도깨비): A mischievous goblin
- Jangsanbeom (장산범): A creature that lures people with its voice
- Taejagwi (태자귀): A baby ghost
- Mongdalgwi (몽달귀신): A bachelor ghost
The Saja Boys wear black robes and traditional hats, echoing the look of jeoseung saja (grim reapers who guide souls to the afterlife).
They are not though. The Saja Boys are demons but simply styled like Korean grim reapers.
Their aesthetic also resembles real-world K-pop groups like BTS, Stray Kids, and ATEEZ.
According to the creators, Jinu, the leader of Saja Boys, was inspired in part by Korean singer and actor Cha Eun-woo!
KPop Demon Hunters blends K-pop, girl group vibes, and centuries-old Korean folklore into one well-made film.
Most importantly, it’s just fun to watch with super catchy music to top it off!
This was a great read, thank you for all the explanation! My family is addicted to this movie and we have watched it at least twice a day since it was released haha. It’s ridiculous. I was very curious about the connection to real Korean folklore so I’ve been doing tons of research. I like your article because you talk about the modern connection. One thing I also notice was when they talked about how they must hide their failures and faults. In the Army, I had a Korean medic and he was very much like this. I know other Koreans as well who are very shy when it comes to admitting fault or making mistakes. It’s always been a really cool part of Korean culture and I like how that thread is throughout the movie. Anyway, thank you!! Great read.
Thank you so much! I’ve actually been listening to the soundtrack every day haha. And I could totally rewatch the movie again. You’re absolutely right about the part on hiding failures and mistakes. In Korean culture, we feel so embarrassed about faults, and society isn’t always very forgiving about them. That’s why I really appreciate how this movie encourages people, including Koreans, to embrace who they are and be more open about their flaws. Hopefully, that mindset continues to grow! I’m really glad you enjoyed the article and the connections. 🙂
Hi! Love this movie! It has inspired a deep dive to learn more about Korean culture, history, fashion, and folklore! Loved this article!
I was wondering if you could shine a light on the details of the first generation of hunters’ (that created the honmoon) dress as well? (Or if you know any good resources?)
Thanks!!
Hi! Thanks so much for your comment. I’m glad you enjoyed the movie and the article!
The first generation of hunters (and their dress) were actually inspired by Korean shamans, called mudang (pronounced more like “moo-daang”).
Even today, mudang wear colorful outfits. They’re still quite popular for things like fortune-telling, comforting spirits of the dead, and warding off evil.
Hope that clears things up!