By Movieguide Freelance
Hi moms,
If your kids and tweens follow online trends, chances are you’ve heard them talking about the anime movie KPOP DEMON HUNTERS. It’s one of those films that goes viral on TikTok and Instagram – it’s slick, flashy and filled with catchy music. I decided to watch it myself to see what the hype was about.
Anime Isn’t Always For Kids
Let’s talk about anime for a moment. The cartoons many of today’s parents grew up with were safe and silly. Some were even educational, like going on an adventure with Ms. Frizzle on THE MAGIC SCHOOL BUS. Much of the anime marketed to kids and teens today is a different animal altogether. While anime is animated, the content often contains false religion, violence and adult themes.
KPOP DEMON HUNTERS fits that mold and seems like just the thing to draw in kids and tweens. It’s an animated movie about a Kpop girl group, HUNTR/X, who double as magical fighters battling demons with their songs. The costumes are glittery, the musical performances are amazing and the choreographed battles are epic. But here’s the thing: it’s not just a fun movie about girl power. It touches on something even more profound.
If you squint a little bit, KPOP DEMON HUNTERS feels kind of Christian. A group of girls secretly uses their powers to protect the world from evil. They join forces with friendship and teamwork, finding their inner strength and learning to accept themselves to overcome demons – all while dancing under neon lights.
Here’s the problem: demons aren’t something we overcome with a cute outfit or a brutal slamdown. KPOP DEMON HUNTERS says the power within you is all you need to defeat evil. That may sound empowering, but it doesn’t teach the true source of strength – Jesus Christ.
Roots in Korean Mythology
The movie remixes Korean mythology and shamanistic traditions. While Korean culture has many rich and metaphorical aspects, the story is packed with grim reaper guides, shamanic exorcisms and even a demon king. Our girl heroes use actual shamanic tools as spiritual weapons, perform a gut ritual on stage and their songs create a magical seal to ward off evil, which is traditional spirit worship dressed up like pop stars.
These spiritual concepts could quietly lure kids away from biblical truth. Ephesians 6:12 tells us, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
While the entertainment industry treats demons as fantasy, we as Christians see beyond the flashy package into the truth of spiritual warfare.
Fight the Good Fight
I get it, though. Anime and Kpop are cool right now. It’s just part of the culture our kids are immersed in. While it may seem harmless, they aren’t aware of what they’re spiritually soaking in. That’s why KPOP DEMON HUNTERS can be an opportunity to have a meaningful conversation between you and your curious tween.
Next time you hear your kid whine, “Mom, why can’t I watch this?” – seize the opportunity to tell them that true spiritual power doesn’t come from within us or from glowing shamanic weapons but from the Holy Spirit. That we, as Christians, call on God to protect us from evil through prayer, not inner magic or mystical performances. Teach them that spiritual battles are real, and Jesus won the victory on the cross.
You’re not alone in this fight. All it takes is a willing heart to lovingly tell your kids and tweens that KPOP DEMON HUNTERS doesn’t line up with the truth.
God put you in your children’s lives for a reason — and you’re doing better than you think.
With you in this,
A Fellow Media-Wise Mama
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