Netflix releases animated film KPop Demon Hunters, a global hit

Netflix released the animated film KPop Demon Hunters on 20 June 2025. The story follows HUNTR/X, a fictional K-pop girl group whose members lead double lives: on stage they are pop stars, and in secret they are demon hunters who protect fans with the power of their music.

The film blends K-pop styling, original songs and Korean cultural references with fantasy action. It drew a large audience on Netflix after release and grew into a global hit, spreading through social media, soundtrack streaming and fan-made content well beyond the usual animation audience.

Its success mattered because it turned a fictional group into a real commercial brand. Fans embraced the characters and songs, and the popularity opened the way for merchandise and licensing deals with other companies, including collectible toy makers such as Pop Mart, whose later HUNTR/X blind boxes build on that momentum.