The Netflix animated film *K-Pop Demon Hunters*, rooted in Korean culture, has sparked a global frenzy, prompting major U.S. media outlets to closely examine its rise.
On August 21, prominent outlets such as CNN and Time magazine published in-depth analyses of the “K-D-Hun” craze, while USA Today and Gold Derby joined in delivering a wave of praise for the film’s popularity and artistic merit in the U.S.

In particular, Time magazine featured an article titled “How K-Pop Demon Hunters Conquered the World,” delving into the success factors behind what it calls the biggest cinematic hit of the summer.
Time conducted interviews with Korean-American director Maggie Kang, who led the film’s planning and direction, co-director Chris Appelhans, music executive producer Ian Aeisendras, and EJAE, the key composer and vocalist for the original soundtrack (OST), offering a detailed look at the film’s creation process.

The magazine noted, “Like the world’s top idol groups, *K-Pop Demon Hunters* excels in more than one area.” It described the children’s animated film, where a K-pop girl group transforms into a demon-hunting team, as a blend of comedy, action, music, and supernatural horror that delivers emotional rewards and significant rewatch value.

It added, “Though it debuted quietly on Netflix over two months ago, the film’s success shows no signs of slowing down.”
Time analyzed that the intricate integration of Korean cultural elements and the polished music at the story’s core have fostered “trust in universality within cultural specificity.”

The outlet further highlighted that while children have driven the film’s success, it stands out as a rare hit transcending age groups in the fragmented streaming era, currently ranking in the top 10 on Netflix’s viewing charts in over 90 countries worldwide.

It also praised the film’s strategic use of comedic elements, such as the scene where a member of the idol group Saja Boys’ abs turn into popcorn in the eyes of Huntrix member Joy, adding to its charm. CNN, in an article titled “K-Pop Demon Hunters Strikes Summer,” described the film’s popularity as “another opportunity to explain how K-pop has conquered pop culture.”

The network noted that the film successfully merges two powerful genres—K-pop and supernatural exorcism—while the hit OST tracks have further amplified interest.
It specifically highlighted that key songs like “Golden,” “Your Idol,” and “Soda Pop” have entered the top 10 of Billboard’s Hot 100 main singles chart, a feat not seen since 1977’s *Saturday Night Fever* and 1995’s *Waiting to Exhale*, which each had three soundtrack tracks reach the top 10.

Meanwhile, Gold Derby published an article titled “Yes, ‘K-Pop Demon Hunters’ Is a Legitimate Oscar Contender,” asserting that the film is being seriously considered for the prestigious Academy Awards.
The outlet called *K-Pop Demon Hunters* an “undeniable pop culture sensation,” noting, “Since its surprise Netflix debut two months ago, you’ve likely found yourself unable to stop singing the addictive lyrics of ‘Golden’ daily, or encountered fan art, song covers, and online dance challenges.”

It predicted, “If Oscar nomination potential is measured by cultural impact alone, *K-Pop Demon Hunters* will be among the safest bets in the early Academy discussion stages,” suggesting strong possibilities for nominations in Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song categories.

The film has also achieved the rare feat of winning over both critics and audiences, earning a 97% rating (out of 100) on the Rotten Tomatoes critics’ score.
On Rotten Tomatoes, the audience score, based on over 5,000 votes, stood at 91% as of today.