Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters has been sinking its teeth into pop culture ever since its June premiere, breaking ground in animation with its elaborate costumes (reportedly the most in any animated film), relatable characters, and stunning visuals that perfectly embody Korean culture and mythology.
While the anime is praised for its aesthetics and masterful attention to detail (director Chris Appelhans recently confirmed the film incorporated over 10,000 drawings in its 95-minute runtime), at the core of its original story is music, filling airwaves with infectious K-pop tunes that top Billboard charts and have viewers belting its addictive lyrics at the top of their lungs.
If you’re a part of the pandemonium, running KPop Demon Hunters back for the music alone, Netflix has a special treat for you.
A sing-along version of 'KPop Demon Hunters' debuts on Netflix
Deadline reports that Netflix has officially released a karaoke-friendly version of KPop Demon Hunters! The news was inspired by a recent Instagram post from Netflix’s official page, surprising fans with a Monday, Aug. 25 release date.
The Aug. 25 debut precedes the Netflix film’s exclusive limited release in theaters, which featured a full-length sing-along version of KPop Demon Hunters for one weekend only. Now, fans can "have their moment" in the comfort of their own homes, keeping in time with lyrics from songs like "Soda Pop", "Your Idol", and "Golden", which currently have the US Billboard Charts and Spotify in a chokehold (HUNTR/X’s uplifting anthem "Golden" made it all the way to number one on the Billboard charts, while the Saja Boy’s heavy hitter "Your Idol" surpassed a BTS record on Spotify).
Music: a major driving force for 'KPop Demon Hunters’ heartfelt story
This response to the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack comes as no surprise, considering that music is a major driving force behind the anime’s heartfelt story. The Netflix original (which includes the vocal talents of Ken Jeong, Daniel Dae Kim, and Netflix’s very own Lee Byung-hun) follows HUNTR/X: a world-renowned K-pop group that literally slays. When they’re not commanding the hearts of adoring fans as a singing/dancing trio of baddies, they’re symphonic badasses who use the power of song to take down demons.
Demon Hunters' genre-bending universe incorporates its catchy K-pop tunes in a variety of ways, doubling as a superpower as well as a catalyst for character and plot development, delivering bangers that capture the essence of the power of music while also encapsulating the likeness of some of our favorite K-pop idols (HUNTR/X is reportedly inspired by K-pop idols TWICE).
The music of 'KPop Demon Hunters' is a star in its own right
The quality of Demon Hunter’s music is reflective of the passion and expertise that went into crafting its soundtrack, with directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans calling on major shotcallers in K-pop to help breathe life into its mythical universe. Producers like Teddy Park collabed with artists like TWICE, Ejae, and Rei Ami to create bangers that were so authentic to K-pop culture, they have since been recognized by real artists in the industry. Similar to animated movies like Encanto, the music of KPop Demon Hunters stands alone, creating a soundtrack that really knows how to get the crowd jumping.
Don’t miss the opportunity to take center stage with HUNTR/X and the Baja Boys, and embody the essence of a K-pop star from the comfort of your living room: the sing-along version of KPop Demon Hunters is streaming now on Netflix.