K-pop, demons and cool animation: a cartoon nobody expected has been released — but everyone's talking about it now

Contents:
If you're tired of cookie-cutter cartoons where everything is predictable and the songs are forgotten right after the end credits, we have great news for you. Netflix has released something completely different.

"KPop Demon Hunters" is that rare animated film that looks like a TWICE music video crossed with a drama on steroids in the style of "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse."

Sounds like chaos, but it's one of the best animated releases of 2025. Here's why.

What's the movie about?

Let's start with the concept. Female K-pop group Huntrix sings, dances, and packs stadiums by day. But at night — they grab mystical artifacts and go demon hunting. Their main enemies? Boy band Saja Boys, who turn out to be collaborating with dark forces.
Three girls with multicolored hair eating noodles with chopsticks and looking down
Frame from the animated film "KPop Demon Hunters"
Source:
The result is an animated super-mix of pop culture, Korean mythology, and spectacular action.

What about the visuals?

All this comes to life thanks to Sony Pictures Animation — the studio that gave us the stunning visual worlds of "Into the Spider-Verse."

The level of detail in every frame, the color accents, the fight choreography synchronized with music — it all deserves its own standing ovation. Every scene feels crafted for rewatching and TikTok clips.

What about the music?

Now for the soundtrack. TWICE's music features prominently, plus tons of original tracks written specifically for the story. Surprisingly, even those (myself included, let's be honest) who aren't into K-pop won't be able to resist.
A guy in a wide-brimmed hat smiles in pink light
Frame from the animated film "KPop Demon Hunters"
Source:
The voice acting doesn't disappoint either. Characters are brought to life by Arden Cho, Daniel Dae Kim, Lee Byung-hun, Ken Jeong, and other Korean (or Korean-American) stars. The characters turned out vibrant and memorable — not just visually, but emotionally too.

Critics and audience reactions

On Rotten Tomatoes, the film scored 94% "fresh" from critics and 95% from audiences. And this isn't just hype.

Critics are calling it "visually stunning," "hilariously fun," and "genuinely fresh air in the genre." They especially praise directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans' ability to blend the incompatible: teen drama, horror, and musical energy.

Brittany Murphy from Muses of Media, for example, wrote in her review: We need more original animated films like this one. From the cast to the music to the stunning animation — KPop Demon Hunters is everything you expect and more!
Three girls in dark clothing with swords in their hands standing on stage in pink light
Frame from the animated film "KPop Demon Hunters"
Source:
Viewers in Rotten Tomatoes reviews admit they didn't expect such a powerful impact: some say they laughed and cried at the same time, others are begging for a sequel or series to learn more about each Huntrix member. And that's probably the best success indicator.

So if you love K-pop, animation, or just want something fresh — give "KPop Demon Hunters" a shot. Even if the concept sounds like an internet joke, the result will surprise you. In the best possible way. Earlier on zoomboola.com, we shared how to fall in love with anime in 6 steps: a beginner's guide.