[K-Pop] Time magazine praises Netflix's 'K-Pop Demon Hunters' as a breakout global hit

SEOUL, August 22 (AJP) - Netflix's animated feature K-Pop Demon Hunters has earned high praise from Time magazine, which recently featured the film in an article titled "How KPop Demon Hunters Conquered the World." The magazine described the title as a "breakout phenomenon" that has transcended cultural boundaries, winning both critical and popular acclaim.

Directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, the film blends supernatural adventure with the vivid aesthetics of Korean pop culture. According to Time, the production stands out for its richly layered storytelling and visually distinct design. "As people who work in animation and storytelling, we're trained to layer things on and create something as entertaining as possible," Kang told the magazine.

Since its release, the film has topped global streaming charts. Netflix's own platform, Tudum, reports that the movie has been viewed over 210 million times. Time also noted the film's soundtrack has become a sensation in its own right. Three original songs from the film have reached the Top Ten on the Billboard Hot 100. One of them, "Golden," is currently the most streamed song in the United States. The article highlights that this is the first time a film has achieved such musical success since Waiting to Exhale in 1995.

Kang emphasized that the movie's emotional resonance comes from its deep cultural grounding. "Everything was seen through this Korean lens," she said. From the way sidewalks in Seoul are drawn to how napkins are wrapped around chopsticks, the team paid close attention to everyday Korean details. Even the film's demons are inspired by jeoseung saja, the grim-reaper-like figures from traditional Korean folklore. "This is dark, but I'm not going to be afraid of it," Kang said, recalling how her niece's love for Maleficent revealed how children can engage with layered, even frightening, stories.

Kang also credited K-pop for shaping the film's scale and spectacle. "K-pop brought spectacle and scale, all the pizzazz that is kind of needed to sell it," she said.

Time praised the film's ability to marry cultural authenticity with broad global appeal, underscoring its unique position as a creative and commercial success on the world stage.

Park Sae-jin swatchsjp@ajunews.com