Netflix's big animation success is not resting on its laurels. We summarize what's next for Kpop Demon Hunters.
We won't be saying goodbye to the Saja Boys and HUNTR/X anytime soon. Image Source: Netflix
On June 20, 2025, a film dropped on Netflix that blew everyone’s expectations out of the water. Kpop Demon Hunters has been the talk of the town ever since, racking up a massive 132.4 million views. That makes it the most-watched animated original ever on the platform. Brought to life in slick style by Sony Animation Studios - the same team behind the Spider-Verse films - it’s a visual feast from start to finish. On top of that, you get numerous bangers - Seven songs from the movie are currently charting on the Billboard Hot 100, and the soundtrack is sitting pretty at the top of the soundtrack charts.
That kind of success pretty much guarantees Netflix will want to dive deeper into the Kpop Demon Hunters universe. Here’s a quick rundown of what you can expect next from this world.
A Surprise Hit That Struck All the Right Chords
The film follows a demon-hunting trio called HUNTR/X, who also happen to be a wildly popular girl group with a massive fanbase. Playing off the global success of K-pop acts like BTS and Blackpink, the story dives deep into an entire subculture - while also pulling in elements of traditional Korean folklore. Off stage, Rumi, Mira, and Zoey are busy battling all kinds of terrifying creatures. Centuries ago, these demons preyed on humans to feed their souls to their ruler, Gwi-Ma. In response, three women became the first demon hunters, creating a magical barrier called Honmoon, powered by their singing voices, to protect humanity. That power has since been passed down through generations and now lives on in Rumi, Mira, and Zoey.
But the demons haven't exactly been slacking either. Gwi-Ma’s servant Jinu hatches a plan to fight fire with fire - by creating the Saja Boys, a demonic boy band meant to steal HUNTR/X’s fans and weaken the Honmoon.
Critics praised Kpop Demon Hunters for its clever mix of modern pop culture tropes and Korean mythology. David Tizzard from The Korean Times called it “outrageously good” in how it represents Korean culture. He described it not just as a love letter to K-pop, but also as a sharp look at “the culture that surrounds it: the manufactured personas, the parasocial feedback loops, the obsession with purity, and the way fans can shift allegiances with algorithmic speed.” At the same time, the movie quietly captures slices of everyday life in Korea: “A late-night convenience store, kimbap and cup ramyeon, a visit to a hanuiwon for herbal remedies, steam rising in a jjimjilbang. These moments aren’t exoticized or exaggerated. They’re just there, woven into the story.”
Despite dealing with some serious themes, the film stands out for its sharp, well-timed humor. As IGN’s Toussaint Egan puts it, “KPop Demon Hunters knows how to tackle serious subject matter without taking itself too seriously which, along with its stunning production value and exciting action sequences, makes for a wholly entertaining experience.” Matt Goldberg from TheWrap also highlights the film’s comedic strengths, especially in how it “knows when to poke fun at K-pop and K-drama tropes.”
Some minor criticism came in around the film’s short runtime - but honestly, that’s more of a compliment. It’s so good, people just want more of it. Angela Garcia from SLUG Magazine summed it up perfectly: with just 96 minutes, “this movie leaves you feeling like it's only scratched the surface of both the world and characters.” Luckily for her - and for all of us - it looks like there’s more from this universe on the way.
Sequels, Series, and a Live-Action Dream
Kpop Demon Hunters was directed by Maggie Khan and Chris Appelhans, who were also involved in writing the screenplay. The story itself came from Khan, which probably means she has the clearest vision for where things could go next.
In a late-June interview with Forbes, Khan dropped the first hints about where the story might be headed. Over the course of the movie, we learn that Rumi has demon blood running through her veins - she’s half demon, half demon hunter. The only one who knows the truth is former Hunter and Rumi’s guardian, Celine. Khan explained, “There are different versions [of Rumi’s story]. Ultimately, we felt like that whole part of the story didn’t need to be told here. It was a tricky thing with the story. There are so many questions that are left unanswered.”
The rest of the team would also be thrilled to return for a sequel - and Khan herself has even toyed with the idea of a live-action adaptation: “I really enjoyed [How To Train Your Dragon]. I was sitting in the theater thinking, I wonder if anybody would want to see a live-action KPop Demon Hunters. What would that be like? How would that go?”
By now, it’s pretty clear: there’s definitely more on the way. TheWrap has uncovered some early details about what’s next for the Kpop Demon Hunters universe. Internally, Netflix is reportedly referring to the film as its own “Frozen” - a property they plan to expand in multiple directions. According to insiders familiar with the plans, here’s what’s currently in the works:
It’s not just teachers who can wield demonic powers - sometimes rebellious teenagers discover them too. In Tougen Anki, a boy named Shiki learns the shocking truth after surviving an attack by an assassin: the blood of demons runs through his veins, and he is actually an Oni. For centuries, beings like him have been relentlessly hunted. Long ago, the legendary warrior Momotarou drove the demons into hiding, and since then, his clan has continued the battle. When Shiki’s adoptive father, Tsuyoshi - once a member of the Momotaro clan - is killed, Shiki vows to take revenge.
The series is based on the manga of the same name by Yura Urushibara, which has been serialized in Akita Shoten’s shōnen magazine Weekly Shōnen Champion since 2020.
A stage musical
A live-action remake
An animated series
Two animated movie sequels
There’s also talk of a short film designed to bridge the gap between the mainline features. Outside of the screen, there’s no shortage of stuff for fans to collect. The Netflix store is now stocked with clothes and plushies inspired by the film - and they’ve become absolute bestsellers. Funny enough, those items weren’t originally meant for sale at all. They were created as gifts for the film crew. But after fan demand exploded, Netflix decided to reprint them and make them available to everyone. According to company, Kpop Demon Hunters merch ranks among the top five best-selling items this year, led by the fan-favorite tiger plushie.
From Stage Lights to Spirit Swords
The combination of Korean mythology and idol culture definitely offers more than enough material to work with. Even the released film is packed with references and cultural nods.
As Kang told Forbes, she and Appelhans drew inspiration for the characters from real K-pop groups. Since those groups often follow the same set of archetypes, fans from all kinds of fandoms can easily project their favorite idols onto the characters. For example, there’s always a leader, a main vocalist, a rapper, and a dancer. Then you’ve got personality types layered on top - like the show-off with muscles, the hopeless romantic, or the lovable youngest member.
The Saja Boys are a typical Kpop boy group. Image Source: Netflix
Kang and Appelhans put together a kind of vision board filled with their favorite artists, which then grew with input from the rest of the production team. According to them, the Saja Boys were inspired by groups like Tomorrow X Together, BTS, Stray Kids, ATEEZ, BIGBANG, and Monsta X. Visually, the character Jinu was modeled after actors Cha Eun-woo and Nam Joo-hyuk, both known for their traditionally “classic” Korean look.
HUNTR/X members Rumi, Mira, and Zoey are also clear nods to K-pop idols and models. The creative team drew inspiration from groups like Itzy, Blackpink, and TWICE. Like Jinu, Rumi was designed to embody a classic Korean beauty ideal. Fashion-forward Mira was heavily inspired by model Ahn So Yeon, while Zoey took on the role of the cute, bubbly idol. The goal was to make the three girls feel distinctly different - not just in terms of hair color, and judging by the result, they nailed it.
The soundtrack, too, is deeply rooted in pop culture. In a Reddit AMA, Appelhans revealed some of the songs that helped shape the musical direction. Tracks like Forever (Drake and Eminem), Green Light (Lorde), and I Can’t Write Left Handed (Bill Withers) each influenced different aspects of the music’s mood and energy.
Now that we’ve covered the modern influences, it’s time to dive into the mythological roots.
The story of music-wielding demon hunters was inspired by Mugyo, a form of Korean shamanism. Kang borrowed elements from this tradition, especially the “gut”, a dynamic ritual in which a shaman uses music, dance, and elaborate costumes to drive out evil spirits. Even the weapons carried by the demon hunter trio aren’t purely fictional. They’re based on real historical Korean weapons and shamanic tools. Rumi’s Tiger Sword, for instance, was modeled after the Four Tiger Sword, a ceremonial blade from the Joseon Dynasty. Mira wields a curved sword called a Gokdo, inspired by the Cheolyeomchu, a weapon from the ancient Goguryeo period. Zoey, meanwhile, can summon a Spirit Knife, or Shinkal, a tool traditionally used in gut rituals to expel malevolent spirits. Their spiritual connection is also shown through small pendants on their outfits. These are Norigae, symbolic charms worn by women to bring luck and protection.
But ancient Korean culture isn’t just limited to the main trio - two of the movie’s most beloved characters come in the form of a tiger and a magpie. This odd-couple duo draws from Minhwa, a style of Korean folk art known for its vibrant colors and symbolic imagery, created by everyday people rather than professional artists. The tiger and magpie motif is especially common. In these traditional paintings, the tiger is often portrayed as a clumsy or foolish guardian, while the magpie outsmarts him with wit and mischief.
The Saja Boys, too, are rooted in folklore. Their name hints at their demonic origins. Jeoseung Saja is the Korean version of the Grim Reaper, a spirit who guides the dead to the afterlife. Unlike the Western image of the scythe-wielding reaper, the Jeoseung Saja isn’t evil or terrifying. He’s more of a neutral, even compassionate figure, just doing his job.
And all of this only scratches the surface of Korean culture and mythology. With roots going back at least 3,000 years, it’s a rich blend of nature worship, spirit veneration, ancestor rituals, and legends of gods, animals, and demons - more than enough material to fuel future entries in the Kpop Demon Hunters universe.