Breaking the ice with my first real blog post, I was debating on what facet to start with. Do I focus on the writing aspect, on the inspirations for my craft, or mental health, focusing on things that better me and bring me joy.
Both? Both is good.
If you haven’t heard of KPop Demon Hunters, I’m somewhere between “understandable” and “have you not heard of the internet?” It’s about a Kpop band who are also demon hunters fighting with song and sword to protect the world, so you get exactly what you signed up for really. Initially, it might seem like a niche market for a movie. However, it has easily become Netflix’s top animated (if not top general) movie, has dominated the Billboard top 100, and has likely produced more covers of “Your Idol” than most Disney songs.
So, why do I bring it up in a mental health/writers journey blog?
Because it proves that passion triumphs over presentation any day. On paper, on title and premise it seems like such a bizarre set up that would never work. I would have never sought to watch it based on that, and there are anime titles out there like I Want to Eat Your Pancreas (also a deceptively good movie). But as anything blows up by going viral on Tiktok, word got out that this movie is pretty good. So the Mrs and I took a chance on it and gave it a watch.
And holy shit, it’s good.
I’m not gunna draw the line in the sand and say it’s the greatest film, animated or not, ever made. But what I will say is that you can see the passion that went into every single frame and note that makes up this movie. The premise is absurd, so the movie tells absurdity to hold it’s beer/ramen cup as it sky dives and drop kicks you into the venue on its way to its opening number (oh spoilers, I guess).
The animation is a love letter to anime and 2d animation with all the benefits that 3D brings. The impactful action lines, the fluid motion, the expressions (the many, many expressions). You can tell the staff had fun with every single frame they put into this movie. It’s got strong female leads that aren’t afraid to be feminine and badass (and, on occasion, slobs). It’s even got a spirt tiger and a three eyed bird with a little hat (don’t ask where it got the hat).
And don’t get me started on the music.
Wait, no. Please let me talk about the music.
When I talk up the soundtrack for this movie, it’s not an exaggeration to say even the most ‘mid’ song of the movie would be the “Let it Go” of any Disney movie. Don’t believe me? It’s on Apple Music. In many languages. Go on, I’ll wait. The blog’s not going anywhere. Each song is such a vibe. “How it’s Done” is a perfect over-the-top start to the film, while “Free” is quiet but serves a perfect chance for us to breath and watch Rumi grow. “Takedown” is fierce and puts the pressure on. “Your Idol” took a page from every Disney Villain song and rewrote the whole book. “Golden” deserves every golden globe or whatever award it gets nominated for (I don’t get the various awards and mix the names up all the time, but if Golden doesn’t win then it’s totally rigged).
And I have unironically and unintentionally done the shoulder bop for Soda Pop while driving on many occasions.
But for me, the best song is the emotional and literal climax of the film in “What it Sounds Like.” It resonates with me and my experience on so many levels, from feeling broken to finding beauty in in that damage. Finding those around you who accept every side of you, the good and the bad. For the world to unite in a single voice to drive off the darkness of evil and live in harmony! (Ok that last part not yet, but hey maybe someday…?)
Anyway, I feel like Kpop Demon Hunters is a movie that anyone can enjoy, even if you fall outside of the intended “niche” anime market. And it does that by focusing on being the movie it wants to be and not care about what other people think. I try not to be that guy who borderline forces you to watch a movie but I can be (and I will when necessary!) When I do recommend it and then they do end up watching it, the scene plays out the same every time…
Even when I got my brother (a badass rapper) to watch it, we get to “Free” and he flipped to “Shit ok Kurt you’re right, this movie’s good.” It’s technically a kids movie so I feel like even my family would enjoy it. Only reason I don’t recommend it is Abby. Cus you know…
Abs.
But don’t let me sell you on it (though thanks for hanging out this long with me on it). Go check it out yourself. It’s on Netflix, and I doubt they are gunna let it go anytime soon. And make sure you let me know what you think of it! Hopefully this will show other animation studios out there exactly how it’s done (done done).