Netflix's new animated film, KPop Demon Hunters, has sparked considerable buzz, particularly regarding the inspiration behind its characters. The movie revolves around Huntrix, a K-pop girl group who secretly battles demons, and the Saja Boys, a rival boy band with a demonic secret of their own. With its vibrant K-pop aesthetic, many fans have speculated whether the characters are based on real-life idols like BTS and BLACKPINK.
Director Maggie Kang, a lifelong K-pop enthusiast, acknowledges the comparisons and confirms that popular K-pop groups and K-drama actors did indeed serve as inspiration. However, she refrains from pinpointing specific idols for each character, emphasizing that the aim was to capture archetypes common within the K-pop industry. Kang noted that she enjoyed seeing fans correctly identify which member from various groups fit specific archetypes.
For the Saja Boys, groups like BTS, TXT, ATEEZ, BIGBANG, Stray Kids, and Monsta X were all referenced. Each member embodies a familiar K-pop role: the muscular heartthrob, the romantic type, the mysterious one, and the maknae (youngest member). Kang even revealed that Baby Saja, the maknae, is also the group's rapper, aligning with typical K-pop group dynamics. The design team compiled a digital bulletin board filled with images of their favorite idols, actors, and models to guide the animation process. Notably, all the Saja Boys, except for Abby, share the same CG body, with Abby's physique bulked up by 20% to emphasize his muscularity.
Jinu, the most prominent member of the Saja Boys, draws inspiration from K-drama actors like Cha Eun-woo and Nam Joo-hyuk, aiming for a classic Korean leading man look. While Ahn Hyo-seop was later cast as the voice of Jinu, the character's design preceded his involvement. Nevertheless, Kang observed similarities between Jinu and Ahn's character in Business Proposal.
As for Huntrix, the demon-hunting girl group, ITZY, BLACKPINK, and TWICE were key references. The goal was to create distinct looks for each member: Rumi, Mira, and Zoey. Korean model Ahn So Yeon inspired Mira's fashion-forward style, while Zoey's character embodies a cutesy vibe, drawing from various K-pop idols.
Ultimately, KPop Demon Hunters doesn't directly mirror any specific K-pop group. Instead, it cleverly blends various influences and archetypes to create a world that feels both familiar and uniquely its own. The film’s soundtrack also includes the work of prominent figures in the K-pop industry, such as BLACKPINK producer Teddy and the group TWICE. This approach allows fans to see reflections of their favorite idols while enjoying a fresh, exciting story.
