The Netflix animated film 'K-Pop Demon Hunters' is receiving praise from overseas media for its amazing level of 'Korean cultural authenticity' along with its global box office success.
The work, released in June, entered the top 10 in 93 countries worldwide, reached No. 1 on Netflix's global rankings, and recorded a cumulative view count of 33 million within two weeks of its release. The seven songs included in the soundtrack have made it onto the Billboard Hot 100, and major tracks such as 'Golden' and 'Your Idol' ranked first and second on the Spotify U.S. chart, demonstrating an overwhelming presence in the music market.
However, the reason this film is gaining more attention is its 'authentic representation of Korean culture' that goes beyond mere box office success.
Foreign media outlets, including the BBC, have noted that what makes 'K-Pop Demon Hunters' special is the seamless integration of bold Korean aesthetics into the story and visuals. They emphasized that it faithfully captures not only landmarks in Seoul such as Namsan Seoul Tower, Bukchon Hanok Village, and Naksan Park but also the everyday lives of Koreans, including foods like kimbap, ramen, and gukbap.
Traditional motifs, such as the use of a traditional Korean folding screen (Il-Wol-Oh-Bong-Do) as a stage backdrop and weapon settings inspired by shamanism, as well as the precise representation of current K-pop fan culture, including synchronized dance performances, fan signing events, and glow sticks, are also cited as examples of 'attention to detail in cultural authenticity.'
In particular, the realistic depiction of the protagonists placing chopsticks on napkins before eating gukbap, along with their various outfits, such as wearing padded jackets or short-sleeve shirts during a single season, has been highly praised by foreign media as 'new for Western audiences and an accurate depiction for Korean audiences.'
In fact, the production team made great efforts to complete these details. Director Maggie Kang noted in an interview, 'We tried to ensure that the film conveyed as much of a Korean feel as possible. One method was to add Korean elements to every scene and design element.' She emphasized that she focused on capturing the Korean sensibility while shooting from the brick shapes in Myeongdong to the landscapes of folk villages.
In connection with this, online discussions sparked when the initial design of the gukbap scene was leaked. The original concept art included the protagonist holding a clay pot with chopsticks, but the final version shifted to a composition featuring neatly arranged banchan like kkakdugi, namul, and kimchi, along with scenes of scooping soup with chopsticks and a spoon placed on a napkin. This reflected Korean dining etiquette accurately.
'K-Pop Demon Hunters' continues to create a global sensation, with requests for sequels pouring in. This work, which embodies a deep understanding and respect for Korean culture beyond mere consumption of the Korean Wave, reaffirms the expansion potential of K-content.
[Photo] Provided by Netflix
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