K-Pop Demon Hunters

The Huntr/x are a K-pop girl group. They are also [secretly] demon hunters, charged to protect the realm through song and violence. But one of their members has a secret . . .

The Saja Boys are a K-pop boy band. They are also [secretly] demons, charged to get the population under their sway to steal their souls. But one of their members has a secret, too . . .

The natural and supernatural worlds collide in this musical tale of living with your faults and fears in a society that teaches you to hide. 

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My initial take on this was "frenetic, bizarre, and catchy." From the same studio that animated Across the Spider-verse, you see the stylistic similarities. The music was good (one song reached #1 in the real-life charts), the humor was zany but fun, and the point was awesome—I think. Let me explain.

The main characters in the film wrestle with their faults and fears, the repeated refrain being "our faults and fears must not be seen." But charged to fix the world, they cannot fix themselves despite their best efforts—and hide as a result. They fear being known, assuming that such knowledge would erase any love others have for them. And they can't let go of their past failures, listening to their demons that won't let them forget: "all we get/deserve is to live with tons of pain and misery." The result? They are alone, and the demons are near victory. What is the way forward?

According to the film, the point is to be open about your faults and failures and "bring jagged edges to the light." Be there for others and know you are not alone. See the scars as part of yourself, and "see the beauty in the broken glass." And sacrifice yourself for the good of others, giving your soul to others rather thank taking. 

There are a ton of good messages here. The only point that gave me pause—and which wasn't explained in the film—was whether brokenness should prompt any degree of repentance or sorrow. If it was calling you to see beauty in the broken glass or despite it. One line spoke of "darkness and harmony," and I couldn't tell if they meant making peace with the fact that we are fallen people [but to strive against it] *or* making peace with the fact [and embracing it]. That's a huge difference. I will assume the best, though, and give this film high marks. See it for yourself and let me know.

Rating: A