One More Song: Inside the World of KPop Demon Hunters

Do you hear that? It’s HUNTR/X fans chanting for one more song — and they may be chanting for a few years, as Netflix develops a sequel to last summer’s breakout hit KPop Demon Hunters.

The animated film follows HUNTR/X, a K-pop girl group leading double lives as performers and demon hunters. Directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, the film features a stellar voice cast that includes Arden Cho (Rumi), May Hong (Mira), Ji-young Yoo (Zoey), Ahn Hyo-seop (Jinu), Yunjin Kim (Celine), Daniel Dae Kim (Healer Han), Ken Jeong (Bobby), and Byung-hun Lee (Gwi-ma). With stylish choreography, catchy songs, and supernatural action, KPop Demon Hunters has captivated audiences worldwide. 

“With KPop Demon Hunters, Netflix has demonstrated how niche fandoms can drive a title to viral, mainstream success and how we can quickly reach every corner of the globe,” says Tanya Isler, senior director of consumer products for UCAN at Netflix.

Netflix says KPop Demon Hunters is its most popular film ever. By the end of August, just two months after release, the film garnered more than 236 million views on the platform. That same weekend, it broke the distributor’s record. The film also soared to No. 1 at the box office with KPop Demon Hunters Sing-Along, the first sing-along release for a Netflix film, which sold out 1,300 screenings across three continents.

The soundtrack generated more than 3 billion global streams to date, featuring songs performed by EJAE, AudreyNuna, Rei Ami, Andrew Choi, Danny Chung, Kevin Woo, samUIL Lee, Neckwav, and Lea Salonga. It became the first soundtrack to land four Top 10 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 simultaneously. At the time of publication, the film was named Time’s Breakthrough of the Year; received five Grammy nominations, including Song of the Year for “Golden”; and won two Golden Globe Awards.

But for fans, records and nominations aren’t enough. Hunters, as the film’s fans are called, want something tangible — vinyl, apparel, collectibles, and more — to carry them through the three-year wait for HUNTR/X’s cinematic return.

The rise of KPop Demon Hunters was meteoric, and much of the film’s merchandise, from food to fashion, is only beginning to arrive on shelves. “Fans want KPop Demon Hunters in every part of their lives,” Isler notes. “We’re excited to continue fueling the fandom with a thoughtful consumer products program that speaks to what fans love the most about KPop Demon Hunters — the music, the food, the fashions, and the compelling characters and story.”

At-home DJs can enjoy the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack from Republic Records. The company offers multiple variants, including a smoky fuchsia vinyl ($32.99), an animal-themed set with glow-in-the-dark vinyl ($37.99), and a picture disc ($35.99). Alternatively, the family can sing along at home with Yoto, which offers the soundtrack on its miniplayer ($14.99). “As soon as [the film] launched on Netflix, people were listening to the music all over the world,” says Yoto’s Head of Music & Sound Dom Hodge, who listens to the soundtrack in the car and at home with his 5-year-old daughter. “I’m not sure anyone knew how massive it would be.”

Yoto collaborated closely with Universal Music to develop the card, which is based on a standard album format and features the film’s songs in the same order they appear to the viewers. While many of Yoto’s products are intended for kids ages 2 and up, the content is often suitable for kids ages 4-7. For families, the Yoto card offers an opportunity for older kids to bond with younger siblings. “We are very keen to make sure that we offer stuff, particularly music, to grow with kids,” says Hodge, whose young daughter uses the card with her 10-year-old cousin. “You can bridge microgenerations,” he adds.

For many fans, the devotion doesn’t stop at sound — it shows up on shelves and in closets, too.

Fashionistas can display “What It Sounds Like” ($150), a three-pack of fully articulated fashion dolls arriving this fall from Mattel Creations. The highly detailed dolls don the white and gold outfits from the film’s finale, along with the characters’ signature weapons. 

“We are inspired by KPop Demon Hunters’ incredible global resonance and the passion of its fans around the world,” says Mattel’s Senior Vice President of Entertainment Partnerships Nick Karamanos. “This is the fastest deal Mattel has ever brought to life.”

Fans interested in HUNTR/X and Saja Boys (the film’s other K-pop group) can start with Funko’s line of iconic Pop! figures, which retail for $14.99 each; or collect Youtooz’ limited-edition figures, which ship later this year.

Fans can dress themselves in looks inspired by the film, with help from Bioworld, which offers highly detailed clothing and accessories. They can snag Zoey’s yellow bucket hat ($18.99), worn when she sees the Saja Boys for the first time, the traditional black Gat hat the Saja Boys wear while performing “Your Idol” ($52.99), Mira’s polar bear fleece sweatshirt ($54.95), and Rumi’s Choo Choo Pajama Pants ($56.95). “KPop Demon Hunters is a lightning-in-a-bottle moment,” says Bioworld’s Head of Product Maureen Guckeyson.

Bioworld tackled its immersive collection from several angles, and according to Guckeyson, started by sourcing ideas from their own team members who were already fans of the film, including a designer who cosplays in her free time and could accurately replicate the film’s costumes. Some items, such as branded fleece, pins, and tote bags, were no-brainers, but Bioworld is also mindful of today’s trends, offering inspired oversized mineral-washed sweatshirts, skorts, and bag charms.

Fans can even eat like HUNTR/X. The trio is known for carb-loading before their performances, relaxing with mountains of kimbap, and slurping down ramyun in the film. A collaboration from Nongshim, which celebrated the release of Shin Ramyun last fall in Times Square, brings Hunters closer than ever to living like K-pop idols through chewy noodles ($4.49 each), shrimp crackers, and Shin Toomba Sauce.

The breakout stars of KPop Demon Hunters weren’t Rumi, Mira, and Zoey, but the film’s animal companions, a six-eyed magpie and a blue tiger. Both animals accompany Jinu and appear to Rumi as messengers.

In Korean culture and history, both animals are significant. Tigers have long been associated with the Korean peninsula, and they appear in the nation’s founding myth, dating back to 2333 B.C. Unable to become human, the tiger is considered particularly special in the animal kingdom. In folklore, a tiger known as Haetae is the guardian of justice, making the tiger’s fade into a city statue particularly symbolic in the film. In Korea, Haetae statues guard temples and municipal buildings.

During the Joseon Dynasty from 1392 to 1910, the tiger and magpie appeared prominently in Minhwa, a form of Korean folk art, notably in Kkachi Horangi. The spiritual guardians are similar to the ones in the film, down to the tiger’s expression; often, these artworks were meant to satirize the ruling class, so giving the tiger a silly expression was meant to rob the upper class of its power.

Fans can appreciate both of the beloved characters at home; Netflix sells a plush tiger ($47.95), which sells out as fast as it is restocked. “We launched with Netflix Shop at the film’s release and continue to add new products across categories week after week,” Isler says. “Our goal is to bring more products to the marketplace, and quickly, to satisfy fan demand, but it’s also important that we offer fans products that are authentic to the story and deliver a quality experience from trusted partners.”

Jazwares has transformed both animal characters into 9- and 12-inch Squishmallows ($14.99-19.99). The plush sold out during preorder and are scheduled to arrive in May, alongside BumBumz versions of the characters coming in the spring as well. Gerhard Runken, executive vice president of brand and marketing at Jazwares, says these plush were the company’s biggest release of 2025: “Fans couldn’t get them fast enough! We are super excited to bring our bigger program to the world in 2026.”

The Magical Messengers Bundle from The Woobles ($102) encourages fans to crochet the two animal companions featured in the film: Jinu’s blue tiger and the six-eyed magpie. “When I watched the movie, it really resonated with me,” shares Justine Tiu, The Woobles co-founder and chief Woobler.

The kit uses all three of the brand’s yarns, including Easy Peasy and Easy Peasy Extra Squeezy. It is also the first kit to feature the company’s new glitter yarn. Both animal companions have custom eye pieces. The Woobles team worked closely with the film’s creative team while developing the kit, so, Tiu says, “the crochet can feel true to the art.”

The company is awaiting further feedback from fans before offering additional KPop Demon Hunters kits. Initial response to the preorder has been positive and effusive. If fans want more, Tiu says The Woobles will oblige.

While the wait for 2029 may seem arduous, the opportunity for merch is not. 

“We want to keep that fandom alive,” Hodge says, when looking to the film’s sequel and future releases for Yoto. “I think that the music really is so good. People really genuinely love it. They’re great songs.” While the brand hasn’t confirmed anything yet, it hasn’t ruled out the possibility of future releases.

Mattel is careful to avoid spoilers for its plan next year, but remains as excited as any member of the HUNTR/X fan club: “We are proud to have moved at the speed of fandom and cannot wait to reveal these innovative, thoughtfully designed products beginning in spring 2026,” Karamanos says.

Bioworld is looking forward, too. It will continue to introduce new items throughout the year, Guckeyson says. Fans can look forward to design refreshes throughout 2026 and into spring 2027.

Jazwares will expand the characters available in its signature Squishmallows and BumBumz. “We have a lot of things coming in 2026 that we know fans are going to love, including a full line of plush and Squishmallows,” Runken shares. “That will include a wide range of plush featuring fan favorite heroes, villains, and sidekicks, all capturing the action-packed, demon-hunting energy of the film!” The company is as committed to fans as HUNTER/X, who do everything for the fans. “We are excited that Netflix trusted us with this IP, and we are going to bring fans unique and innovative products for years to come,” he adds.

“There is no slowing down,” Isler shares. “We can’t wait for everyone to see the ‘golden’ plans we have for 2026 and beyond.” 

If anything is certain, the next 10 months look bright for Hunters. If there seems to be a lot of HUNTER/X, rest assured that the Honmoon is sealed.

This article was originally featured in the Winter 2026 issue of The Pop Insider. Read more articles from this issue and subscribe to The Pop Insider here!