Sajaboys and Huntrix:
A Fusion of Korean Tradition and K-pop in Animation
Director Maggie Kang Shares Her Dream of Showcasing Korean Culture
"Intoxicated by my own ecstasy, you can't take your eyes off me. You need me. I am your idol!" (Sajaboys - from "Your Idol")
Boys sweeping across the stage, their long coats flowing behind them. Wearing traditional hats and black outfits, they resemble grim reapers from Korean folklore at first glance, but their dazzling group choreography and stage production are reminiscent of classic K-pop idols. These are the Sajaboys, a five-member boy group featured in the animated film "K-pop Demon Hunters."
Sajaboys act under the command of the evil spirit king "Guima," and stand against the girl group Huntrix. Huntrix are the protagonists who protect the barrier "Honmun" that blocks evil spirits, and their image was inspired by Blackpink and NewJeans. In contrast, Sajaboys were created based on the performances of BTS and Ateez.
This work is a fusion animation that combines Korean traditional culture, K-pop, and fantasy action. Scenes of idols performing group dances while wearing traditional coats and hats have prompted reactions such as, "Who knew tradition could be this hip?" Upon release, it set records by reaching No. 1 on Netflix in 41 countries and entering the Top 10 in 93 countries.
The story is set in Seoul. Real locations such as Namsan Tower, Naksan Park, and Jamsil Sports Complex appear, while foods like gimbap and ramyeon, idol-specific makeup, and stage lighting add to the sense of realism. Korean elements are said to blend naturally into the fantasy narrative.
The film was produced by Sony Pictures Animation, with Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans?who previously worked on "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse"?serving as co-directors. The OST was produced by The Black Label, led by Teddy. Choreography was handled by Leejung, and Twice members Jeongyeon, Jihyo, and Chaeyoung also participated in the OST. Actor Ahn Hyo-seop voiced Sajaboys' leader Jinwoo, while Lee Byung-hun played Guima in both English and Korean.
Members of the girl group Huntrix are cheering while eating gimbap and hotteok in 'K-Pop Demon Hunters.' Netflix
In a written interview with Asia Economy on June 26, director Maggie Kang said, "It has been my dream since childhood to create an animation that captures Korean culture," adding, "It is especially meaningful as the first global animation set in modern Seoul with both voice actors and singers from Korea." She continued, "Through the concept of idol grim reapers wearing traditional coats and hats, I wanted to bring together tradition and modernity, Korean identity and mass appeal, into a single story."
Both directors cited their personal experiences during the pandemic as the starting point for this project. Director Chris Appelhans said, "Watching BTS's online concert and seeing people all over the world sing and dance to 'Dynamite' together, I realized that millions could be connected through music even while at home. The idea that a good song can push away the darkness of the world for a moment, and even defeat the demons inside us, became a key theme of the film."
Director Maggie Kang also stated, "Humans are inherently beings who long for connection, and this film tells a story about overcoming anxiety and shame."
The girl group Huntrix in the film is composed of independent characters. Their focus on their inner selves and their efforts to understand and support each other in order to defeat evil spirits are particularly striking. Director Maggie Kang emphasized, "Huntrix are cool and strong, but also clumsy and prone to overeating?human female superheroes. I wanted to present multifaceted female characters rarely seen in animation."
Foreign media also gave positive reviews. The New York Times commented, "It's at its funniest when satirizing K-culture, K-pop, and large-scale audition programs," adding, "The action scenes are smooth, the art is visually striking, and the music serves as a dynamic storytelling tool." Variety analyzed, "The genre transitions are seamless, and the songs are so catchy you'll find yourself singing along." Collider praised, "An intriguing world and powerful performances come together."
IGN introduced it as "a high-quality action musical that delivers a serious message in a lighthearted way," while Decider noted, "The setup of a girl group fighting demons naturally connects genre satire, humor, and relatable messages," and added, "It is an example of expanding cultural genres beyond simple entertainment."
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