Netflix’s mega-hit KPop Demon Hunters is now the streaming platform’s most popular movie of all time. But its ascendance as 2025’s surprise cultural phenomenon extends far beyond the animated movie itself.

It’s the music. It is the first soundtrack to have four songs in the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 at the same time, with the single “Golden” reaching No. 1 for several weeks. The high-octane songs have the glossy production, catchy hooks, and charisma Korean pop is famous for.

The story follows girl group trio Huntr/x, who adore their fans as much as slurping ramyeon. But there’s a twist: they lead double lives to protect the world from demons through their music. Standing in their way are The Saja Boys. They’re demons masquerading as a human boy band, fighting back with infectious pop tunes and 8-pack abs to thwart Huntr/x’s critical mission.

That premise did not impress Sony, the studio that made the movie but ultimately passed distribution to Netflix.

One of the reasons why the movie is so special is that it honors k-pop’s status as one of the world’s most popular genres, said

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