The new movie “K-Pop Demon Hunters,” recently released in June 2025, is the most watched film ever on Netflix with the new record of 236 million views, and is making its way into the lives of Poly Prep students and faculty because of its catchy music and viral dances. The movie follows a girl band called ‘HUNTR/X’ that fights demons to protect their fans, with their biggest threat being a secretly demon boy band, ‘Saja Boys’ who attempt to steal their fans. The film was produced by Michelle Wong whose previous productions include “Vivo” and “Surf’s Up 2,” and was distributed by Netflix. The film, which has several songs, has also been dominating the Billboard Global 200, making up one half of its top 10 songs since it came out. These same songs can be heard on Poly’s campus with many middle school students knowing all of its lyrics by heart.
Student Carter King’s ’33 favorite characters from the film are the Saja Boys band and he especially enjoyed their viral “Soda Pop” song. He remarked, “I like all the catchy lyrics and how it always puts me into a good mood”
The “Soda Pop” song is currently viral on online platforms including YouTube and TikTok with videos of people attempting to learn its dances taking over the media. Some celebrities have taken part in this trend as well. Tennis star Novak Djokovic recently broke into the “Soda Pop” dance during this year’s U.S. Open. Djokovic claims it was a present for his eight year old daughter’s birthday.
In fact, Emma McGovern ’33 first heard about “K-Pop Demon Hunters” on YouTube in early July, and has since watched the film with her little cousins. For McGovern, a highlight of the film was its songs, which introduced her to the K-Pop music genre.“I’ve always been interested, but not in love with watching or listening to K-Pop. I want to say K-Pop is now one of my favorites, I do listen to a few songs every now and then.” McGovern also noted that she sometimes watches the film by skipping through it just to listen to her favorite songs.
While most students in the middle school said they have seen the film, many students in the Upper School have claimed not to have watched it unless they have younger siblings, possibly because they think the target audience is younger.
Drew Brandmeyer ’29 said he has not yet watched the film but has heard about it through his younger cousins, who “loved it.” Brandmeyer, who prefers live action movies, said he is familiar with some of its songs despite having never sat down to watch it. It “sounds a little cringey to me, ‘K-Pop Demon Hunters.’ A little weird. But, I think it’s unique and very out there, which I respect,” he mentioned.
Parent to two daughters at Poly and seventh grade History teacher Andrea Del Valle said she thinks the film was “catchy” while also incorporating important lessons. “A lot of what we talk about and foster as a community here is belonging and people feeling welcome with whoever they are, and even bringing them back in once they’ve made a mistake, or if it’s a misunderstanding.”
This aspect appealed to Del Valle because students like her children that watched the film can resonate with its message of being true to yourself and having empathy for others and relate it back to their own lives. She has seen that other faculty members who are parents of younger kids have had the same experience.“I think parents can appreciate when something catches this much attention, you know, in the media and with kids.”
