K-Pop Demon Hunters Review and updates
Even I'm here for the K-pop...
So, I’m still working on balancing my time between my family and trying to write. By no means have I figured it out, but I’ve been working on setting more time aside to get a little writing done… maybe not daily but multiple times a week. In fact, for writers out there, does anyone else use Trackbear? I’d been told about it around the time I left a certain yearl writing challenge but only just started using it a bit now. I love that I can have multiple projects, set my own monthly or however long of a goal I want, and make a group leaderboard (which I did to test with my writing group!).
But I digress.
As for updates, I did a lot of work to get ready for and be a part of the Grayslake Authorfest (Thank you
). and I shared a booth in the sweltering heat and WIND! (It was a workout to keep our tent from blowing away).
Since the 2024 Grayslake Authorfest, I’ve had 4 items come out (Sparks & Swords, my two solo RPGs, an adventure themed anthology, Journey to Adventure, through my writig group) and I finally got my physical copies of Comics, Cons & Clerics (they were super late last year due to technical difficulties at the ‘zon). It was amazing to have an expanded selection that can bring in so many people to connect with.
And for my paid members, there will be a surprise coming hopefully just before July. But if you’re reading this and not part of my paid tiers (which is 100000% ok, most of my content is free), what would you be interested in?
K-Pop Demon Hunters Review
Well, I was on top of getting a review out for the live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon, so I’m even surprised my own self to have gotten to K-Pop Demon Hunters so quickly. (As I write this I’m currently listening to the soundtrack on repeat)
If you have not heard, K-Pop Demon Hunters is a new Sony Pictures film that went directly to Netflix in the United States. The story (without being spoilery) is about a K-Pop girl band called HUNTR/X, which are the latest generation to use their music to keep the demons in their realm and keep the whole world safe, while occasionally having also to kick demon butt with weapons as well. They are close to being able to keep the world safe for good when a demon K-Pop boy band, the Saja Boys, appears to steal their fans and break the protection over the world.
K-Pop Demon Hunters clearly was made with an extreme love of K-Pop. Even before I watched it, the demon boy band very much has BTS vibes. The directors have since come out and mentioned that yes, the boy band archetypes (exagerated and threw it over the top with one of the characters being called ABby, and has abs for days that Zoey kind of drools over) and character models were based on various bands, including BTS, Stray Kids, ATEEZ, Monsta X, BIGBANG, and Tomorrow X Together as well as a few famous K-Drama actors.
I’d seen some worry that this movie could either be incredible or painful. I’m happy to find that I’m in the majority, finding the movie to be a perfect melding of a classical musical with a K-Pop theme, love story, action, and (as often is the case) friendship. The themes were beautifully woven together into a tight knit story that even had my kids (who are decidedly NOT K-Pop fans) bopping to the tunes and engrossed in the story. Truly, this was more than an ode to K-Pop.
A clear understanding of what makes the best musicals work the best is how the songs can aid in the storytelling, but also stand on their own. As an example from other media, let’s look at Wicked (which, sure, has a movie adaptation now but was a stage show for far longer). Songs like “Defying Gravity” and “For Good” are used at graduation ceremonies. Or, looking at another stage musical, Rent’s “Seasons of Love” is also used often at graduation and occasionally at wedding ceremonies. Maybe one of the most popular I have seen (and used) was “Rainbow Connection” from the original Muppet Movie at wedding ceremonies. Songs being highly repeated, listened to outside the context of their original media form, such as fanfiction, keep a property in the public eye and expand word of mouth.
In fact, as of writing this, the highest stream day of the K-Pop Demon Hunter’s soundtrack on Spotify was June 22, 2025 with 8.5 million streams (and yes, I’m still listening to the soundtrack, though I bought the digital album).
Additionally, from a writerly point of view, the world-building was phenomenal. The Honmoon (protective barrier) around the world was a beautiful visual representation of the ebb and flow of the story and of Huntrix’s unity and friendship.
It’s hard not to get spoilery about this, and maybe I will do a deeper dives as I feel I need to watch the movie a second time. I highly recommend fans of anime, animation, and K-Pop give K-Pop Demon Hunters a try. Visually, the animation was spectacular, the story (though filled with many tropes we see often) was tightly woven with humor and emotion, and the soundtrack really is spectacular.
It is a joy to find something so fresh and fun after hearing the news of Elio’s flop this last weekend and an exec at Pixar admitting it’s hard to put out something original, but the alternative would be to release Toy Story 27.
Admittedly, K-Pop Demon Huters probably has a niche audience that I happen to be a part of. But I truly believe more people should watch it and have fun.
And if not for any of that, this duo of the demon tiger and bird is just absolutely the BEST!
Art Corner - Catch up series
I, like many crafters, have a stockpile of crafts. So part of my catch up summer is catching up on my crafts. Take a look at some of the crafts I’ve either started or finished recently! I would love to see if you all are crafty and what you’re up to!
Though the bee embroidery kit was a recent purchase, it was on the pile and I thought I might get through it pretty quickly. I’m a little over halfway through my watercolor journal, these just happen to be a few that I finished.
I have seen that show in several places this week. I might have to watch it