Something has me in a chokehold. It has occupied my brain and taken over like a parasitic worm, and it’s all I can think about—or perhaps, it’s more accurate to say it’s all I want to think about right now. After all, it feels like a shiny and new beam of hope that seemingly came out of nowhere. And it’s definitely my current hyper-fixation that has fascinated and inspired me, all while restoring my will to live.
An absolute far cry from just a few weeks ago when I considered throwing myself in front of a train at Burwood station. At the time, I could only laugh when the idea suddenly sprouted in my mind. How shamefully fickle I am. It caught me off guard, thinking about how that was the most violent thought I’ve had in some time—and probably the most violent thought I’ve had for myself. But I digress. Can you guess what has captivated me over the past two weeks, stealing away my time and attention?
I’m talking about none other than KPop Demon Hunters (2025). After a long and strange month filled with extremely transient positive feelings, exhaustion, and despair, I finally remember what it’s like to hope. During the period this film was released, I’ve already watched it four times: twice by myself, once with one of my friends, and once with my church family. Yes, I’m completely obsessed. And I’d watch it again if anyone showed the slightest interest in it. Heck, I’d probably force you into watching it with me.
Trust me when I say, it’s just that good. And watching it with people who were just as keen as I was helped me recognise how it felt to be joyful for longer than a fleeting moment. I was excited. Charmed even. And by a fictional man at that (but that’s not the only reason I love it). Past that shallow element, there’s so much praise I could write about KPop Demon Hunters. It had everything.
The premise of “K-pop demon hunters” may seem silly, but I guarantee your perception will change once you’ve watched it. The film featured well-written humour while touching on profound themes such as cultural identity, shame, and self-acceptance. Additionally, the music evoked a multitude of emotions in me. It has made writing this so difficult because the songs serve as a constant distraction when I play them in the background. But I’ve had so much fun singing along and being inspired. What more could you want in a movie?
Though, of course, I know I’m biased. My enjoyment of this animation is largely due to its representation of East Asian culture, which personally resonated with me. However, I’m certain that it is still a worthwhile watch for people from different backgrounds, both for entertainment and to gain a deeper understanding of the struggles that arise from the expectations within East Asian culture. With much inward groaning, I cannot stress enough how deeply I love Kpop Demon Hunters. And I think there’s a lot of irony in that, given the warnings found in the Saja Boys’ songs.
I’ve fallen into this sensational rabbit hole, but I know it’s a dangerous place to be. All my friends listen to the soundtrack on repeat, and I am no exception. Everything about this film has quite literally melted away my worries, as if they were nothing at all. It genuinely terrifies me how tightly it has taken hold of me. But I suppose it could only have taken a grand obsession to mute the great discomforts of the traumatic triggers in my life. I can fawn over a fictional man without the fear of being mistreated and cast aside.
How bad could it be to put your trust in someone who says they can be your sanctuary and the star you rely on? Your troubles can melt away just like that once your attention is slowly taken away from everything that once mattered to you. Pain becomes but a memory, and you can finally live a life of slothful comfort for the inexpensive price of your soul. After all, what good is it to try when all you do is fail time after time?
Maybe it’s okay to yield and give it all up.
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