History of KPop Demon Hunters in Timeline
KPop Demon Hunters is a 2025 animated musical urban fantasy film about a K-pop girl group, Huntrix, who are secretly demon hunters. They are voiced by stars such as Arden Cho, Ahn Hyo-seop, and Daniel Dae Kim. Huntrix battles the Saja Boys, a rival boy band whose members are actually demons. The film is co-written and directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans and produced by Sony Pictures Animation for Netflix.
3 hours ago : KPop Demon Hunters & Katseye stunning 'Golden' performance surprises Coachella audience.
Huntr/x from KPop Demon Hunters joined Katseye on stage at Coachella to perform 'Golden', surprising the audience. Pixar's movie 'Be Fri' was scrapped and caused devastation.
1995: Soundtrack's Echoes of Waiting to Exhale
In 1995, the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack achieved a historic milestone, becoming the first film soundtrack since Waiting to Exhale to feature at least three of its songs in the top 10.
2006: Inspiration from The Host
In 2006, Bong Joon Ho's monster movie The Host, served as an inspiration for Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans for KPop Demon Hunters, particularly in blending genres and moods.
2016: Character Creation of Rumi
In 2016, the character of Rumi was initially created by Maggie Kang and her husband, Radford Sechrist, for Sechrist's comic Plastic Walrus, before Kang repurposed it for KPop Demon Hunters.
2018: Initial Pitch to Film Producer
In 2018, director Maggie Kang initially pitched the concept for KPop Demon Hunters to film producer Aron Warner, while he was working on Wish Dragon (2021) for Sony Pictures Animation.
March 8, 2021: Official Announcement of Film Development
On March 8, 2021, Sony officially announced the development of KPop Demon Hunters, originally under the working title K-Pop: Demon Hunters. Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans were set to direct, with Hannah McMechan and Danya Jimenez writing the script. Aron Warner and Michelle L. M. Wong were named as producers, and Mingjue Helen Chen and Ami Thompson were announced as production designer and art director, respectively.
March 2021: KPop Demon Hunters Enters Production
In March 2021, KPop Demon Hunters officially entered production with the full creative team attached. Maggie Kang's vision, inspired by her Korean heritage and incorporating elements of mythology, demonology, and K-pop, was central to the film's development.
March 2021: Initial Announcement of KPop Demon Hunters
In March 2021, Sony Pictures Animation made the initial announcement of KPop Demon Hunters, although without specifying a release date.
April 2022: Netflix Filing for the Film
In April 2022, it was reported that Netflix registered a filing for KPop Demon Hunters, indicating its eventual release on the platform.
2022: First Netflix Soundtrack to Reach Number One
In 2022, KPop Demon Hunters' soundtrack became the first Netflix soundtrack to reach number one on the Top Soundtracks since Stranger Things: Soundtrack from the Netflix Series, Season 4.
February 2023: Confirmation of Netflix Release
In February 2023, Tom Rothman, CEO of Sony Pictures film, confirmed in an interview with Business Insider that KPop Demon Hunters would be released on Netflix.
March 29, 2023: Sony Announces Short Film Based on KPop Demon Hunters
On March 29, 2023, Sony announced that their LENS mentorship program would produce a short film based on KPop Demon Hunters after the release of the Spider-Verse short film The Spider Within.
2023: Highest-Charting Animated Film's Soundtrack Album Since Spider-Verse
In 2023, KPop Demon Hunter's soundtrack became the highest-charting animated film's soundtrack album on the Billboard charts since Metro Boomin's Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse reached number seven.
June 2024: Netflix Announcement of Film Release
In June 2024, Netflix announced that KPop Demon Hunters, produced by Sony Pictures Animation, would be released in 2025.
April 2025: Casting Announcements
In April 2025, it was announced that Ji-young Yoo was cast as Zoey in KPop Demon Hunters, with the remainder of the cast announced later in the month.
April 2025: Film Release Confirmed
In April 2025, the release of KPop Demon Hunters was confirmed for June 20, 2025.
June 2025: Theatrical Release for Awards Eligibility
In June 2025, the theatrical release of KPop Demon Hunters in the United States was enough to satisfy the eligibility requirements for the Best Animated Film and Best Original Song categories at the Oscars.
June 20, 2025: Netflix Streaming Debut and Success
On June 20, 2025, KPop Demon Hunters premiered on Netflix and became its most-watched original title, exceeding 500 million views.
July 2025: Tourism in South Korea Boosted
In July 2025, due to the film's popularity, over 1.36 million international tourists were drawn to Seoul, an increase of 23.1% from the same month in 2024, and of 18% from July 2019.
July 2025: Netflix Considers Follow-Up Projects
In July 2025, following the success of KPop Demon Hunters, TheWrap reported that Netflix had begun considering several potential follow-up projects, including two sequels, a television series, a short film, and a stage musical.
July 29, 2025: Netflix Announces KPop Demon Hunters is Most Watched Animated Film
On July 29, 2025, Netflix announced that KPop Demon Hunters had become the platform's "most watched original animated film of all time".
August 2025: Negotiations Begin for Follow-Up Project
In August 2025, Matthew Belloni reported that Sony had just begun negotiations with Kang and Appelhans to both return for a follow-up project.
August 23, 2025: Sing-Along Version Released in Theaters
On August 23, 2025, the sing-along version of KPop Demon Hunters was released in theaters, debuting in 1,700 theaters and becoming the company's best-performing theatrical release.
September 2025: Short Film Rated PG
In September 2025, the short film, Debut: A KPop Demon Hunters Story, was rated PG by the MPA.
October 2, 2025: Characters Added to Fortnite
On October 2, 2025, Rumi, Mira, and Zoey were added to the video game Fortnite as purchasable skins, alongside a KPop Demon Hunters-themed limited time mode and items.
October 8, 2025: Soundtrack Certified Platinum
On October 8, 2025, the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack was certified Platinum by the RIAA, indicating sales exceeding 1 million units.
October 2025: Toy Licenses Granted to Hasbro and Mattel
In October 2025, it was announced that Netflix had granted KPop Demon Hunters toy licenses to both Hasbro and Mattel, with toys scheduled to be sold at retail beginning in 2026.
October 2025: Soundtrack Certified Double Platinum
In October 2025, the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack was certified double platinum in the US.
November 2, 2025: Second Theatrical Sing-Along Release
KPop Demon Hunters had a second theatrical sing-along release from October 31 to November 2, 2025.
November 5, 2025: Sequel Planned for Release in 2029
On November 5, 2025, it was announced that a sequel to KPop Demon Hunters was planned for release in 2029.
December 24, 2025: KPop Demon Hunters reaches 500 million views
As of December 24, 2025, KPop Demon Hunters had received more than 500 million views on Netflix.
2025: Internet Challenge and Costume Popularity
During the 2025 Halloween season, KPop Demon Hunters-related costumes saw significant popularity, with Google searches for costumes of the characters dominating search rankings.
2025: Film's Popularity Surges, Merchandise Introduced
In 2025, KPop Demon Hunters furthered the visibility and popularity of South Korean culture. Netflix's official shop added a KPop Demon Hunters section, with T-shirts and plushies being among the top five best-selling items.
2025: Awards and Accolades for KPop Demon Hunters and "Golden"
In 2025, KPop Demon Hunters garnered various awards, including Best Animated Feature at the Critics' Choice Awards, Golden Globe Awards, and Academy Awards. The song "Golden" from the soundtrack also won Best OST at the Melon Music Awards and MAMA Awards.
2025: Release of KPop Demon Hunters
In 2025, KPop Demon Hunters, an animated musical urban fantasy film co-written and directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, was released. Produced by Sony Pictures Animation for Netflix, the movie features the voices of Arden Cho, Ahn Hyo-seop, May Hong, Ji-young Yoo, Yunjin Kim, Daniel Dae Kim, Ken Jeong, and Lee Byung-hun. The story revolves around the K-pop girl group, Huntrix, who live double lives as demon hunters and battle the demon boy band, the Saja Boys.
2025: Soundtrack Success on Billboard Charts
In 2025, the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack achieved significant success, debuting at number eight on the Billboard 200, becoming the highest debut for a soundtrack released in 2025 at the time and the first soundtrack of the year to reach the top ten. Additionally, Huntrix and the Saja Boys topped the US Spotify chart.
February 5, 2026: Second Wave of Fortnite Cosmetics Revealed
On February 5, 2026, a second wave of Fortnite cosmetics were revealed, including Huntrix in their outfits from Golden and a Jinu skin.
February 2026: Sequel Unlikely to Be Finished by 2029
In February 2026, Sony Pictures Animation president Kristine Belson suggested that the sequel to KPop Demon Hunters would likely not be finished by 2029.
February 2026: Digital Artbook and Graphic Novel Announced
In February 2026, a physical edition of digital artbook was published and it was announced that a graphic novel adaptation of KPop Demon Hunters was scheduled for release in March 2026.
February 23, 2026: Physical Home Media Release as Part of The Criterion Collection
On February 23, 2026, Variety reported that KPop Demon Hunters would receive a physical home media release as part of The Criterion Collection.
March 2026: Cookie Run: Kingdom Collaboration Announced
In March 2026, Devsisters announced a collaboration update for Cookie Run: Kingdom for April 2026 based on the film, with Rumi, Mira and Zoey added as limited-time obtainable Cookies, along with the Saja Boys and Derpy.
March 2026: Kang and Appelhans to Return for Sequel
In March 2026, it was announced that Kang and Appelhans were returning to write and direct the sequel to KPop Demon Hunters.
April 2026: Cookie Run: Kingdom collaboration
In April 2026, Devsisters released a collaboration update for Cookie Run: Kingdom for April 2026 based on the film, with Rumi, Mira and Zoey added as limited-time obtainable Cookies, along with the Saja Boys and Derpy.
2026: Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami Honored at Billboard Women in Music
In 2026, Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami were honored at the Billboard Women in Music for their work as the singing voices of Huntrix, marking the first time a group had been collectively awarded.
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