K-POP: Demon Hunters

⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Confession: I’m always wary of movies that get hyped to the heavens. It’s not fair, but I’ve been burned before. K-Pop: Demon Hunters, though, really did come crashing in with the kind of buzz I couldn’t ignore—and for once, the hype feels deserved. This movie is a candy-colored riot, bursting with energy, heart, and a surprising amount of depth for a film that features zombies, glitter, and demon-fighting idols.

The real magic? The music. While most musicals would kill to land even one earworm, Demon Hunters casually drops an entire album of hits. Each number is staged with wild imagination, perfectly balancing K-pop polish with Broadway spectacle. By the time the instantly addictive “Soda Pop” kicked in, I was ready to pre-order the soundtrack on the spot.

But what keeps the movie from being just a flashy concert film with zombies are its leads. The central trio are the real deal—funny, complicated, brave, and brimming with charisma. They’re the kind of heroes you actually root for, the kind that carry the story even when the script wobbles. And yes, it does wobble. The plot has holes you could drive a tour bus through, and the villains never feel like much more than sparkly speed bumps. Still, the movie zips along with so much joy that those flaws feel almost charming, like part of the show.

At just under two hours, K-Pop: Demon Hunters is a sugar rush that somehow doesn’t leave you with a crash. It’s bright, it’s bizarre, it’s bursting with tunes you’ll be humming for weeks. Imperfect? Absolutely. But a delight? Without question. And until the sequel arrives, I’ll be keeping “Soda Pop” on repeat.