🎬 The Hidden Influences Behind K-pop Demon Hunters
When “K-pop Demon Hunters” hit Netflix, fans were dazzled by its mix of supernatural fantasy, fierce K-pop idols, and authentic Korean culture. But what inspired the visuals, the choreography, and even the expressions? It wasn’t just Cha Eunwoo.
Animator Min Hong revealed that EXO’s Kai was a major reference point when crafting the main male lead Jinwoo of the boy group “Lion Voice.” “We wanted Jinwoo’s expressions on stage to have that layered, charismatic feel, and Kai’s facial acting really stood out,” he said.
👗 Drama-Fueled Visuals & Hoodies with Meaning
The animation team didn’t stop with idols. To accurately capture the girl group “Huntrix,” they watched Korean dramas weekly. One standout influence? Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo. “The bond between the trio and their cozy, everyday looks inspired Huntrix’s styling,” Min said.
Scenes like visiting a traditional medicine shop in hoodies were directly mirrored from live-action references. This gave Huntrix a grounded, relatable energy amidst the show’s wild fantasy setting.
🐉 Demonic Design: From Folklore to Fantasy
The design of Gwi-ma, the demonic boss villain, wasn’t random either. Professor Wi Hyun-song, who helped design the character, said he was inspired by Yama, the king of the underworld in Korean folklore. He also referenced the retro animation “Legend of the 108 Monsters.”
The result? A demon that felt both ancient and uniquely Korean, even if the final version was less traditional.
💃 K-pop Choreography in Reverse
Monsta X and SHINee weren’t just soundtrack material—they shaped the way characters moved. The animators even recorded themselves mimicking K-pop choreography to get the motion right. Ironically, some idols later copied them. “Seeing celebrities imitate our animation’s dance moves was surreal,” Min shared.
🇰🇷 Culture Embedded in Every Frame
The dedication to authenticity didn’t stop at visuals or character design. Korean subway cars included priority seats for pregnant women—a detail missing from most global shows. Chopsticks were placed on napkins at gukbap restaurants. Courtiers knelt in yangban-style sitting postures, not Western kneels.
These small touches reflected a production team determined to create not just a show about Korea, but one that felt Korean.
🎓 Two Animators, One Vision
Min and Professor Wi both brought global experience—Min from DreamWorks and Sony Pictures (Boss Baby 2, The Bad Guys), and Wi from Pixar-level training. Their mission? Elevate Korean animation to a new standard.
“We want more people to feel the charm of Korean animation,” Min said. “And we hope the industry continues to grow so young animators can thrive.”
Article Source: 원종환 기자, “’차은우만 참고한 줄 알았는데’…’케이팝 데몬 헌터스’ 만들 때 참고한 이것,” 한국경제, 2025.08.02.
Alt Text: Cha Eunwoo posing at a 2025 event, wearing a black suit and smiling calmly.
Caption: Cha Eunwoo in March 2025, one of the inspirations behind Jinwoo in K-pop Demon Hunters. Image not directly related to the article; inserted for illustrative purposes only.
Image Source: Image via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 4.0
