Unless you’ve been completely unaware these past two months, you’ve likely heard about one of the biggest breakout movies of the year and Netflix/Sony Animation’s latest hit: KPop Demon Hunters. The film is already breaking records, becoming the most-watched original movie ever and even topping the Billboard 200 with its hit song “Golden.” Speaking of hits, the soundtrack has produced huge tracks like the aforementioned “Golden,” “Your Idol,” “Soda Pop,” and more. The latter even has its own viral TikTok dance, arguably the biggest trend since the “Manchild” craze (kind of glad that one is over).
So, why are we bringing this up? Because after two months of hearing rave reviews and snippets of the soundtrack, I finally gave in. What I thought would be a typical Gen-Z brain-rot thrill ride turned out to be one of the most “Christian” non-Christian movies I’ve ever seen.
The movie is about three girls in a KPop group, Huntr/x, who fight demons to keep the world safe. Going deeper, each girl struggles with insecurities she’s trying to overcome—especially the lead singer, Rumi, who hides the shame of her past. Their music is infused with the power to slay demons and protect people, spreading hope and positivity through their lyrics. But when a new boy band appears—one that’s literally made of demons using their music to steal souls—the stakes rise to a battle for the hearts (and souls) of everyone.
What surprised me most was how spot-on the movie’s commentary was about the music industry and the power of music. Perfectly accurate? Not quite. But surprisingly insightful. In this world, the only thing keeping evil at bay is the positivity of music. For generations, girl groups have stood for this, and Huntr/x is next in line. Meanwhile, the new boy band, the Saja Boys, isn’t interested in helping fans—they only seek fame and influence, which makes it easier for demons to prey on those who follow blindly.
At its core, the movie is a warning about how the music we listen to influences us. The more people buy into songs filled with idolatry and hatred, the more demons enter the world. One of the sharpest critiques is how the Satan-like villain uses music. He employs the Saja Boys’ twisted anthem “Your Idol” (which was written using biblical verses on how the devil works) to whisper lies to the characters, feeding on their shame and brokenness until they walk toward defeat. He doesn’t storm in like Galactus—he whispers. And that’s precisely how Scripture describes Satan’s work: through lies. He uses the music we listen to, the pain we carry, and the people we idolize over God to pull us away from truth.
Even Huntr/x falls victim when they trade their hopeful, signature music for songs driven by anger. It tears them apart until they realize this isn’t music that unites—it divides. The group learns to be honest in their songs, remembering that their purpose isn’t to top charts or become bigger than the Saja Boys but to be a light for their fans. When their music reflects honesty and growth, it brings healing, hope, and unity. In their personal lives, the girls also discover proper redemption, choosing to stop hiding their flaws and instead embrace authenticity and growth together.
The songs themselves are top quality, but one finale track cements this movie as one of my favorites. Without spoiling too much, the last song is where Rumi finally admits her flaws and chooses honesty. She takes a stand of hope, joined by her friends, to sing a song not designed for popularity but for light in the darkness. The second verse says it best:
“We’re shattering the silence, we’re rising, defiant / shouting in the quiet, you’re not alone / we listened to the demons, we let them get between us / but none of us are out here on our own.”
KPop Demons Hunter reminds us that the music we listen to matters, and how we view artists in relation to God is important. Even good music can be risky when we allow it to take the place that should only be reserved for Jesus in our lives. The songs we choose to listen to should reflect healing, honesty, hope, and most importantly, God as the light that breaks through the darkness. Scripture often warns us about which voices we permit into our hearts (Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16). Just like Huntr/x, we’re called to use our gifts not for fame, but to point people to truth. In the end, this movie isn’t just about KPop or demons; it’s also about the fight for our souls and keeping our eyes on Jesus and the truth found in music and our lives.
Bradden Ford is a Christian music junkie charged with maintaining NewReleaseToday's new release database of artists and releases. He lives just outside of Nashville, Tennessee.
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