“‘K-pop Demon Hunters’ Craze 🌟 BTS Record Broken, Merch Sold Out!”

K-pop Demon Hunters OST Surges Past BTS

The Netflix original animation K-pop Demon Hunters is dominating the global scene—and it’s not slowing down. The show’s OST didn’t just chart. It soared, topping Spotify Global and Billboard Hot 100, beating records once held by none other than BTS. The tracks, sung by the in-show idol groups Huntress and Lion Boys, have captivated fans across continents with their fierce energy and hauntingly catchy hooks.

Soda Pop Challenge: From ZB1 to Fans Worldwide

Leading the viral charge is the hit track Soda Pop, performed by Lion Boys within the animation. The dance challenge that emerged around the song has exploded on social media platforms. It started with the original choreographer, Ha Sung-jin, and quickly snowballed into a massive K-pop idol participation spree—including Zerobaseone (ZB1) and Tours. Some even recreated the characters’ looks exactly, dubbing it the “live-action version” of the animation.

Cultural Crossover: From Ghosts to Museum Gift Shops

More than just entertainment, K-pop Demon Hunters is bringing Korea’s traditional shamanistic folklore to the forefront. Ghostly antagonists inspired by grim reapers, goblins, and water spirits are vividly reimagined through idol aesthetics. One standout moment? The two iconic animal messengers—tiger and magpie—inspired by Korea’s traditional Hojakdo (호작도) painting. This design led to a merchandise frenzy at the National Museum of Korea, with souvenir pins selling out in minutes. Fans, like one named Kim Jong-yeon, visited the museum three times just to try and buy the pin.

Lumi, Jinwoo, Teddy — Voices Behind the Magic

Star-studded talent adds even more firepower. K-pop super producer Teddy is behind the music, while singers Kim Eun-jae and Andrew Choi voice the characters Lumi and Jinwoo. Voice acting performances from stars like Lee Byung-hun (as antagonist Gwima) have also drawn praise. Lee himself admitted to being stunned by the global response, saying it was “a huge challenge to deliver delicate emotions in English.”

Tiger & Magpie Merch: Why It’s Selling Out

The show’s integration of Korean mythology and visual heritage has sparked renewed interest in cultural artifacts, like Ilwolobongdo (일월오봉도), the symbolic royal painting that appears behind Lumi during her performance. The National Museum is now planning even more character-themed goods and interactive fan events.

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With traditional motifs, record-breaking music, and fan-powered virality, K-pop Demon Hunters is rewriting what it means to be “Hallyu.” From anime screens to Spotify, museums to dance challenges, it’s not just a hit—it’s a cultural phenomenon.

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Article Source: Shin Ji-won, “’K-pop Demon Hunters’ Craze… Challenges, Merch Sell-Outs,” YTN, July 20, 2025.

Alt Text: “Huntr/x performing on stage in a scene from Netflix’s K-Pop Demon Hunters”

Caption: Huntr/x in performance mode during a key battle scene from Netflix’s K‑Pop Demon Hunters, image courtesy of @netflix

Image Source: Embedded directly from Netflix promotional materials: Netflix CDN