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Draft:Huntr/x

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Huntr/x
OriginKPop Demon Hunters
Genres
Years active2025–present
LabelsRepublic
Members

Huntr/x (stylized in all caps; pronounced as "Huntrix")[1][2] is a fictional K-pop girl group introduced in the 2025 Netflix animated film KPop Demon Hunters. The group consists of three members – Rumi, Mira, and Zoey – whose singing voices are provided by Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami, respectively.

Conception and creation

[edit]

The members of Huntr/x are the protagonists of the 2025 Netflix animated film KPop Demon Hunters which was directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans.[3] With-in the film's universe, the members of Huntr/x are demon hunters who use their singing and concerts to empower the Honmoon barrier to protect the world from demons; their goal is to create the Golden Honmoon which will permanently keep demons out of the world.[4][5] David Tizzard of The Korea Times explained that Huntr/x perform "a traditional Korean shamanic gut ritual reimagined in a hypermodern stadium".[6] KPop Demon Hunters was conceived by Kang who wanted to make a film "set in Korean culture"; she "delved into mythology and demonology for something that could be visually unique" compared to "mainstream media".[7] She also called the film her "love letter to K-pop" and her "Korean roots".[3] Kang explained that when developing the history of the demon hunters they decided to play into "the shaman women from Korean culture" as historically these women would "sing and dance to protect their village and their communities".[8]

On the character design of Huntr/x, Kang highlighted wanting to differentiate from "Marvel female superheroes that were just sexy and cool and badass" and instead have "girls who had potbellies and burped and were crass and silly and fun" leading to the creation of "something that encompassed all of those elements".[9] The three members of Huntr/x were modeled after K-pop girl groups like Itzy, Blackpink, and Twice. Kang commented that 2NE1 and Blackpink provided an early reference.[10] Baek Byung-yeul of The Korea Times stated the styling of Huntr/x and their rival group the Saja Boys connects to "the past and the present of Korea" – the members of Huntr/x "wear 'norigae' pendants integrated into modern K-pop fashion" and the weapons they wield are rooted in "traditional Korean objects".[11] The character of Rumi was originally "created for story artist Radford Sechrist's" comic Plastic Walrus;[12] Sechrist is also Kang's husband[13] and together "they came up with her name and her signature hairstyle together, and Kang later molded the concept into the Huntr/x leader".[12]

For the film's music, Kang and Appelhans considered K-pop as an integral genre for selecting the musical tone.[14][15] They enlisted an array of music producers to work on "chart-worthy K-pop tracks" including Teddy Park, co-founder of The Black Label, along with Grammy-nominated and winning producers Lindgren, Stephen Kirk, and Jenna Andrews, who had worked on music for K-pop artists such as BTS, Twice, and Blackpink amongst others. Ian Eisendrath served as the executive music producer, who noted "I've always thought of K-pop as the most theatrical genre of pop, and so I was just instantly excited by the possibilities of what could happen in a narrative context with the K-pop songs [and] incorporating actual, hit-making K-pop artists. I just felt like everything was really set up to be a special musical and narrative experience."[16]

Superpowers of the Hunters

[edit]

Each of the Hunters in the film is able to summon hand-held weapons which they summon out of thin air. For example, Rumi, the lead vocalist and leader of Huntr/x, wields a saingeom sword in combat which she summons out of thin air.[17][11] Rumi is the daughter of a demon father and appears to have inherited selected demon powers from him.[18]

Appearances

[edit]

Huntr/x debuted on June 20, 2025 in the animated film KPop Demon Hunters and on its accompanying soundtrack.[4][19] The Huntr/x singers Ejae, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami made a cameo appearance on the season 51 premiere of Saturday Night Live in a sketch based on the film, reprising their respective roles as Rumi, Mira and Zoey.[20] Then on October 7, 2025, "Golden" was performed live in full for the first time by Ejae, Nuna, and Rei Ami on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.[21][22]

Members

[edit]
  • Rumi (voiced by Arden Cho, young Rumi voiced by Rumi Oak, singing voice provided by Ejae): lead vocalist and leader of Huntr/x, who wields a saingeom sword in combat.[23][11] In the film, Rumi is the daughter of a demon father and her late mother Ryu Mi-yeong, who was a demon hunter and K-pop idol in the group Sunlight Sisters. She was raised by her mother's bandmate Celine.[24][25] Ejae was originally brought onto the film's production as a songwriter.[26][27] Kang attributed Kim's demos as one of the reasons the film was greenlit; in an interview with Genius Korea, Ejae explained she had co-written and recorded "most of the demos" for the film when the directors then asked her to be the official singing voice for the character Rumi.[27] She attributed her casting to "the directors [getting] used to hearing [her] voice in the demos".[27] Ejae commented that not only "was it a cool opportunity" but also she had "known the character for a long time" and "resonated so much with her and her storyline" so "it felt natural and confident to emote all Rumi's feelings while singing".[27]
  • Mira (voiced by May Hong, singing voice provided by Audrey Nuna): the visual and main dancer of Huntr/x,[25] who wields a gokdo polearm in combat.[23][11] In the film, Mira comes from a wealthy background and was considered the black sheep of her family due to her rebellious nature.[25] The character of Mira was inspired by Korean model Ahn So-yeon.[28]
  • Zoey (voiced by Ji-young Yoo, singing voice provided by Rei Ami): the main rapper, lyricist, and maknae of Huntr/x,[25] who wields shinkal throwing knives in combat.[23][11] In the film, Zoey is Korean American, and was raised in Burbank.[25][29]

Reception

[edit]

Following the October 2025 performance by Ejae, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Jennifer Zhan of Vulture wrote that "the more these three perform together, the more they look like a real group with an inspiring backstory, distinct personalities, and harmony onstage and off".[30] Zhan commented that "their harmonies and high notes sound just as stable in real life as they do on the soundtrack".[30] She argued that "with talent like this, it would be a waste to keep Huntr/x on the screen" and that "the longevity of a group this promising shouldn't be tied to Netflix or Sony's development timeline".[30]

Accolades

[edit]
Awards and nominations for "Huntr/x"
Year Award Category Work Result Refs.
2025 K-World Dream Awards Best OST "Golden" Won [31][32][33]
MTV Video Music Awards Song of Summer "Golden" Nominated [34][35]
NRJ Music Awards Social Hit "Golden"
(David Guetta Remix) 		Won [36]
Los 40 Music Awards Best International New Artist Huntr/x Pending [37]
Hollywood Music in Media Awards Song – Animated Film "Golden" Pending [38]
Song – Onscreen Performance (Film) "Golden" Pending
MAMA Awards Best OST "Golden" Pending [39]
Song of the Year "Golden" Pending
2026 Grammy Awards Song of the Year "Golden" Pending [40]
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance "Golden" Pending
Best Song Written for Visual Media "Golden" Pending
Best Remixed Recording "Golden"
(David Guetta Remix) 		Pending

Discography

[edit]
Title Album details Peak chart positions
KPop Demon Hunters (Soundtrack from the Netflix Film)

Charted songs

[edit]

The Huntr/x song "Golden" rose to number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 during the week of August 16, 2025. Billboard reported that this was a milestone in multiple categories as Huntr/x is the first to reach number one "for all-women collectives of three or more members" since "Bootylicious" by Destiny's Child in 2001, the first fictional act to reach number one since "We Don't Talk About Bruno" in 2022, and "'Golden' is the ninth song associated with Korean pop to conquer the Hot 100" as well as "the first by female lead vocalists".[41] Vulture highlighted that those eight other K-pop songs were either BTS songs or solos by BTS members.[42] Golden also claimed the number one spot on the Billboard Global 200 during the weeks of July 19, August 2, August 9, and August 16.[citation needed]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Pasia, Nicole; Angela, Lim (July 15, 2025). "Why 'KPop Demon Hunters' is the pop-culture event of the summer". Seattle Times. Archived from the original on July 21, 2025. Retrieved August 2, 2025.
  2. ^ Moon, Kat (June 20, 2025). "KPop Demon Hunters Directors Pushed for This One Shot in Animated Film to Be Extended". TV Guide. Archived from the original on July 26, 2025. Retrieved August 2, 2025.
  3. ^ a b Donnelly, Matt (March 8, 2021). "Animated Musical About Demon Hunting K-Pop Girl Group in the Works at Sony (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on September 5, 2024. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  4. ^ a b Yu, Brandon (June 19, 2025). "'KPop Demon Hunters' Review: Singing, Slinging and Slashing". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on June 21, 2025. Retrieved June 19, 2025.
  5. ^ Tizzard, David (June 28, 2025). "Saja boys, shaman pop, and the ethics of self-sacrifice". The Korea Times. Archived from the original on July 2, 2025. Retrieved June 28, 2025.
  6. ^ Tizzard, David (June 28, 2025). "Saja boys, shaman pop, and the ethics of self-sacrifice". The Korea Times. Archived from the original on July 2, 2025. Retrieved June 28, 2025.
  7. ^ Gaur, Ryan (June 13, 2025). "The Directors of 'KPop: Demon Hunters' Take Us Backstage of Their Netflix/Sony Showstopper". Animation Magazine. Archived from the original on June 17, 2025. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
  8. ^ Hullender, Tatiana (June 20, 2025). "KPop Demon Hunters Creators Tease Potential Sequel & Cast Reveal Their K-pop Biases". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on July 26, 2025. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
  9. ^ Romano, Nick (May 22, 2025). "KPop Demon Hunters trailer reveals a fiend-fighting girl group in pop-powered animated musical (exclusive)". Entertainment Weekly. Dotdash Meredith. Archived from the original on July 25, 2025. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
  10. ^ Bell, Crystal (July 9, 2025). "How 'K-pop Demon Hunters' became a love letter to K-pop and its fandom". Mashable. Archived from the original on July 16, 2025. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  11. ^ a b c d e Baek, Byung-yeul (June 23, 2025). "'KPop Demon Hunters' takes world by storm, combining K-pop energy with Korean heritage". The Korea Times. Archived from the original on June 26, 2025. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
  12. ^ a b Byrne, Suzy (August 21, 2025). "Hairstyle of the summer: How 'KPop Demon Hunters' sparked a beauty craze". Yahoo Entertainment. Retrieved October 19, 2025.
  13. ^ Nguyen, Hanh (July 2, 2025). ""KPop Demon Hunters": Jinu's seriously derpy tiger origin story". Salon.com. Archived from the original on July 25, 2025. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
  14. ^ Desowitz, Bill (2025-06-20). "'KPop Demon Hunters' Finds Music That Slays (Monsters)". IndieWire. Archived from the original on 2025-06-21. Retrieved 2025-06-28.
  15. ^ Sirikul, Laura (2025-06-19). "'KPop Demon Hunters' Director On Getting K-Pop Culture Down". Forbes. Archived from the original on 2025-06-26. Retrieved 2025-06-28.
  16. ^ Hatchett, Keisha (June 20, 2025). "KPop Demon Hunters: Inside the Animated Film's Electrifying Original Songs". Tudum (Press release). Netflix. Archived from the original on June 25, 2025. Retrieved June 20, 2025.
  17. ^ Huyendo (June 30, 2025) [June 25, 2025]. "K-Pop Demon Hunters Concept Art Sparks Frenzy with Stunning Korean-Inspired Weapon Designs". KBIZoom. Archived from the original on July 24, 2025. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  18. ^ Myriam (July 3, 2025). "Glossaire complet des termes et mythologies coréennes de « KPop Demon Hunters » expliqué" [Complete Glossary of Korean Terms and Mythologies from 'KPop Demon Hunters' Explained]. K-Sélection. Archived from the original on July 24, 2025. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  19. ^ KPop Demon Hunters Cast (2025). KPop Demon Hunters (Soundtrack from the Netflix Film) (Album). HUNTR/X, Saja Boys. Archived from the original on 2025-06-20. Retrieved 2025-06-20 – via Apple Music.
  20. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (2025-10-05). "'SNL': 'KPop Demon Hunters' Singers Make Surprise Cameo In Skit Sending Up Popular Netflix Film". Deadline. Retrieved 2025-10-05.
  21. ^ Evans, Greg (September 29, 2025). "'KPop Demon Hunters' Singers Set Debut Live Performance on 'Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon'". Deadline. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
  22. ^ Hailu, Selome (September 29, 2025). "'KPop Demon Hunters' Singers Set First-Ever Live Performance on 'Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon'". Variety. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
  23. ^ a b c Huyendo (June 30, 2025) [June 25, 2025]. "K-Pop Demon Hunters Concept Art Sparks Frenzy with Stunning Korean-Inspired Weapon Designs". KBIZoom. Archived from the original on July 24, 2025. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  24. ^ Myriam (July 3, 2025). "Glossaire complet des termes et mythologies coréennes de « KPop Demon Hunters » expliqué" [Complete Glossary of Korean Terms and Mythologies from "KPop Demon Hunters" Explained]. K-Sélection. Archived from the original on July 24, 2025. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  25. ^ a b c d e Bose, Pallabi (July 1, 2025). "Meet the cast of KPop Demon Hunters: The voice actors and singers behind the animated hit". Prestige. Archived from the original on August 2, 2025. Retrieved July 28, 2025.
  26. ^ Kang, Maggie; Appelhans, Chris (July 31, 2025). "'KPop Demon Hunters' Directors Talk Casting, Soundtrack And Success" (Interview). Interviewed by Kim, Regina. Forbes. Archived from the original on July 31, 2025. Retrieved July 31, 2025.
  27. ^ a b c d Kim, Eun-jae (July 2, 2025). "EJAE on Writing the Hits and Singing for Rumi in KPop Demon Hunters" (Interview). Interviewed by ANC613; Syed, Saquib. Genius Korea. Archived from the original on July 15, 2025. Retrieved July 31, 2025.
  28. ^ Kim, Na-yeon (June 23, 2025). "'keipab demon heonteoseu' gamdog "sajaboijeu jin-u, cha-eun-ue yeong-gambad-a"" '케이팝 데몬 헌터스' 감독 "사자보이즈 진우, 차은우에 영감받아" ['Kpop Demon Hunters' Director: "Saja Boys' Jinu inspired by Cha Eun-woo"]. Star News. Archived from the original on July 2, 2025. Retrieved June 23, 2025 – via Naver.
  29. ^ Hatchett, Keisha (June 19, 2025). "KPop Demon Hunters: Meet the Killer Voice Cast of the Animated Film". Tudum. Netflix. Archived from the original on June 19, 2025. Retrieved July 28, 2025.
  30. ^ a b c Zhan, Jennifer (October 9, 2025). "The KPop Demon Hunters 'Golden' Girls Should Be a Real Group". Vulture. Retrieved October 9, 2025.
  31. ^ Kim, Yeonhee (July 23, 2025). "Huntrix, Saja Boys bring K-Pop Demon Hunters rivalry to real world stage". The Korea Economic Daily. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  32. ^ "HuntRix and SajaBoys Compete for Best OST at 2025 K World Dream Awards". ChosunBiz. July 22, 2025. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  33. ^ Grover, Ashima (August 21, 2025). "2025 K-World Dream Awards winners: Stray Kids, IVE's Wonyoung on popularity high; aespa, Seventeen snag Best Album". The Financial Express. Archived from the original on August 21, 2025. Retrieved August 21, 2025.
  34. ^ Grein, Paul (August 29, 2025). "Tate McRae, Sabrina Carpenter & More Nominated in Social Categories at 2025 VMAs: Full List". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 29, 2025. Retrieved August 29, 2025.
  35. ^ Yang, Angela; Acevedo, Nicole; Melendez, Pilar; Hamedy, Saba (September 7, 2025). "MTV VMAs 2025 live updates: Where to watch, red carpet looks, time, channel, winners as LL Cool J hosts". NBC News.
  36. ^ "NRJ Music Awards 2025 : Ed Sheeran, Héléna, Pierre Garnier, le palmarès complet (+ replay 31 octobre)" (in French). Retrieved November 1, 2025.
  37. ^ Alba Hoyos, Estela (November 7, 2025). "El fenómeno 'Golden' brilla en LOS40 Music Awards Santander 2025: HUNTR/X gana el premio Mejor Artista Revelación Internacional" (in Spanish). Retrieved November 7, 2025.
  38. ^ Pedersen, Erik (November 5, 2025). "'Wicked: For Good', 'Sinners' & 'F1' Lead Hollywood Music In Media Awards Nominations". Retrieved November 5, 2025.
  39. ^ Saulog, Gabriel (October 17, 2025). "Here Are The Nominees For The 2025 MAMA Awards – Full List". Billboard Philippines. Archived from the original on October 17, 2025. Retrieved October 17, 2025.
  40. ^ Faulkner, Clara (November 7, 2025). "2026 GRAMMYS: See The Full Nominations List". Grammy.com. Retrieved November 7, 2025.
  41. ^ Trust, Gary (August 11, 2025). "HUNTR/X's 'Golden' From 'KPop Demon Hunters' Hits No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 11, 2025. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
  42. ^ Zhan, Jennifer (August 11, 2025). "Alex Warren Has Been Exorcised From No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100". Vulture. Archived from the original on August 12, 2025. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
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