Written by ToyTown Longford, a family run Toymaster store serving Irish families since 2011.

Updated: 3 September 2026

KPop Demon Hunters: Characters, Sequel, Awards and Toys in Ireland

KPop Demon Hunters arrived on Netflix on 20 June 2025 as an animated musical about three KPop stars with a second life as demon hunters. What followed went far beyond the release of a successful family film.

By June 2026, Netflix reported that KPop Demon Hunters had passed 600 million views, making it the most popular original title in Netflix history. It also became the first Netflix title to remain in the Global Top 10 for 52 consecutive weeks, while its soundtrack passed 15 billion streams worldwide.

The film has since won Academy Awards, broken music records, developed into a major international merchandise licence and, most importantly for fans waiting for more, received an officially confirmed sequel.

For families and collectors in Ireland, the franchise is also now moving rapidly into toys, games, building sets, puzzles, roleplay products and other licensed merchandise.

What Is KPop Demon Hunters?

KPop Demon Hunters character with braided hair pointing in close-up

KPop Demon Hunters follows Rumi, Mira and Zoey, the three members of the hugely successful KPop group HUNTR/X.

Their performances have a purpose beyond filling stadiums. The trio are also demon hunters whose singing helps protect the human world through a supernatural barrier known as the Honmoon.

Their biggest challenge arrives when demons enter the human world in the form of an apparently irresistible new KPop boy band, the Saja Boys. Their sudden rise gives HUNTR/X competition for their fans while hiding a much more dangerous plan.

The film was produced for Netflix in partnership with Sony Pictures Animation and combines music, comedy, fantasy action and Korean cultural influences with a story centred on friendship, identity and accepting parts of yourself that you would rather keep hidden. Netflix Ireland currently classifies the film as PG.

HUNTR/X: Rumi, Mira and Zoey

Three KPop Demon Hunters characters in dark outfits with a glowing sword

HUNTR/X is at the centre of both sides of the story. The trio operate as a successful KPop group while secretly continuing a tradition of demon hunting.

Rumi: The leader and lead singer of HUNTR/X. Arden Cho provides her speaking voice, with EJAE providing her singing voice. Rumi's own connection to the demon world becomes central to the story and to the meaning of songs including "Golden" and "What It Sounds Like".
Mira: HUNTR/X's lead dancer and the more rebellious and direct member of the group. May Hong provides her speaking voice and Audrey Nuna her singing voice.
Zoey: The youngest member of HUNTR/X and the group's rapper. Ji-young Yoo provides her speaking voice, while Rei Ami performs her singing parts.

The difference between the characters is important to the film. HUNTR/X works because Rumi, Mira and Zoey have distinct personalities rather than operating as interchangeable members of a fictional group.

Jinu and the Saja Boys

Five KPop Demon Hunters characters wearing wide brim hats and long robes

The Saja Boys are the film's rival KPop group, but their rapidly growing fandom is part of a plan created by the demon ruler Gwi-Ma.

The group consists of Jinu, Abby, Baby, Romance and Mystery.

Jinu leads the group and has a much larger role in the story than a straightforward villain. He was once human and entered into a bargain with Gwi-Ma in exchange for musical talent and success. His history and developing relationship with Rumi give the conflict between HUNTR/X and the Saja Boys much of its emotional weight.

Ahn Hyo-seop provides Jinu's speaking voice, with Andrew Choi providing his singing voice.

The Saja Boys also became successful outside the story itself. Their songs "Soda Pop" and "Your Idol" became genuine charting releases alongside the HUNTR/X music, helping blur the line between fictional KPop groups and real world music success.

KPop, Seoul and Korean Culture in the Film

KPop Demon Hunters uses more than KPop music as a surface theme. Concerts, choreography, fandoms, light sticks, signing events, group roles and the relationship between performers and their fans are built into the plot.

The filmmakers also created a recognisable fantasy version of Seoul. Netflix says members of the film's artistic leadership travelled through Korea and that the art team studied photographs taken during those visits when creating the city shown in the film. Several locations seen in the animated Seoul are based on real places.

Traditional Korean visual influences can also be found in some of its most unusual characters.

Why Does Derpy Tiger Look Like That?

Derpy Tiger may seem like a completely invented comedy character, but there is a genuine cultural reference behind his design.

Netflix explains that Derpy was based on the babo horangi, or foolish tiger, found in Korean minhwa, a traditional folk painting style associated particularly with the Joseon era.

His companion Sussie is a supernatural magpie. The pair became two of the film's most recognisable supporting characters, eventually making the jump from the screen into several areas of official merchandise.

That success also helps explain why Derpy and Sussie became the subject of the first LEGO KPop Demon Hunters set.

How Successful Did KPop Demon Hunters Become?

The scale of the film's success became much clearer during its first anniversary in June 2026.

According to Netflix, by that point KPop Demon Hunters had:

passed 600 million Netflix views
become Netflix's most popular original title
spent 52 consecutive weeks in the Netflix Global Top 10
reached the Top 10 in all 93 countries where Netflix publishes Top 10 lists
reached number one in 76 countries
generated more than 15 billion soundtrack streams worldwide

Netflix also reported that the soundtrack spent two weeks at number one on the Billboard 200.

Those figures matter to the future of the franchise. KPop Demon Hunters is no longer a film receiving a wave of merchandise because it happened to perform well at launch. Its audience continued watching, listening and engaging with the characters for a full year after release.

That longevity is one of the reasons the range of licensed products has expanded so quickly.

"Golden" and the KPop Demon Hunters Soundtrack

Music is central to the plot of KPop Demon Hunters, but the soundtrack developed a life far beyond the film.

HUNTR/X songs include "Golden", "How It's Done", "Takedown" and "What It Sounds Like", while the Saja Boys perform songs including "Soda Pop" and "Your Idol".

"Golden" became the standout global hit.

Netflix reported that the song spent 18 weeks at number one on the Billboard Global 200 and eight weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. It also became the first song by a female KPop act to reach number one on the Hot 100.

The soundtrack itself was developed with experienced KPop writers and producers. THEBLACKLABEL was involved in creating the music, with the film team aiming for songs that could advance the story while also functioning as genuine KPop releases outside the movie.

The result was unusual for an animated film. Viewers were not simply listening to songs because they remembered them from the movie. HUNTR/X and Saja Boys were competing on real charts alongside established recording artists.

KPop Demon Hunters Oscar, Grammy and Golden Globe Wins

The film's first awards season added another stage to its growth.

At the 2026 Academy Awards, KPop Demon Hunters won Best Animated Feature, while "Golden" won Best Original Song.

According to Netflix, "Golden" became the first KPop song to win an Academy Award. Co-director and co-writer Maggie Kang also became the first woman of Korean descent to win the Oscar for Best Animated Feature.

"Golden" also won Best Song Written for Visual Media at the 2026 Grammy Awards, becoming the first KPop song to win that Grammy category.

KPop Demon Hunters also won Best Motion Picture Animated at the 2026 Golden Globes, while "Golden" won Best Original Song Motion Picture.

Is KPop Demon Hunters 2 Confirmed?

Three KPop Demon Hunters characters holding glowing weapons

Yes.

Netflix officially confirmed a KPop Demon Hunters sequel on 12 March 2026.

Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans will return to direct. The sequel will also be the first project produced under an exclusive multiyear writing and directing partnership between the filmmakers and Netflix Animation.

Netflix did not announce a release date when confirming the film.

That means reports or dates circulating online should still be treated separately from Netflix's official announcement. The confirmed information at present is that the sequel is in development and both directors are returning.

From Netflix Film to Major Toy Franchise

The merchandise story has changed dramatically since KPop Demon Hunters was first released.

In October 2025, Netflix named Mattel and Hasbro as global co-master toy licensees for KPop Demon Hunters. Netflix described the arrangement as an industry first involving both companies on the same property.

The scale of those agreements made it clear that the franchise was being developed across multiple types of play rather than around a small collection of character merchandise.

Mattel's KPop Demon Hunters range has expanded across fashion dolls, singing dolls, action figures, Little People Collector sets, UNO and other collectibles. Characters represented in the range include Rumi, Mira, Zoey, Jinu and members of the Saja Boys.

Hasbro has expanded KPop Demon Hunters through several of its established brands, including NERF, Furby and Monopoly, as well as electronic light sticks and other roleplay products. Its NERF range translates the distinctive demon hunting equipment used by HUNTR/X into physical roleplay toys.

Jazwares has developed KPop Demon Hunters plush and Squishmallows. Its range includes characters from across the film, with Derpy and Sussie among the first KPop Demon Hunters Squishmallows announced.

Ravensburger has also developed an official KPop Demon Hunters range spanning traditional puzzles, 3D puzzles, games and creative products.

Spin Master has expanded the licence into several of its own toy brands, including Cool Maker, Kinetic Sand, 4D Build and Bitzee. This adds craft, construction, sensory and interactive electronic products to an increasingly broad KPop Demon Hunters toy programme.

This gives the franchise a much wider toy footprint than was visible during its first months on Netflix.

LEGO KPop Demon Hunters and More Sets for 2027

The LEGO Group officially announced its collaboration with Netflix in February 2026.

The first release was LEGO KPop Demon Hunters Derpy Tiger and Sussie Bird 72537, which launched during summer 2026.

More important for the long term future of the range, LEGO has already confirmed that additional KPop Demon Hunters sets are planned for 2027. The company has not yet revealed what those sets will contain.

That means the LEGO partnership is continuing beyond a single release and will carry the franchise into another toy year.

KPop Demon Hunters Toys in Ireland

The official merchandise range is continuing to expand as manufacturers release products across different toy and entertainment categories.

ToyTown.ie has a dedicated KPop Demon Hunters collection where we are adding licensed products as they become available to us.

Because ranges and availability change throughout the year, the collection is the best place to see the latest KPop Demon Hunters toys available from ToyTown.ie, with delivery across Ireland and Click and Collect from ToyTown Longford.

This also means the selection can continue to develop as further products arrive and manufacturers reveal their plans for 2027.

KPop Demon Hunters Is Expanding Beyond Toys

One of the clearest signs that Netflix sees KPop Demon Hunters as a continuing franchise is the number of ways it is expanding beyond the original film.

For the film's first anniversary in June 2026, Netflix organised special screenings around the world, with Ireland included among the countries receiving anniversary theatrical screenings.

Netflix also launched a KPop Demon Hunters experience in Netflix Playground on 20 June 2026. It consists of six mobile minigames incorporating elements including music mixing, rhythm gameplay, jigsaws and stickers.

KPop Demon Hunters experiences are also being developed for Netflix House locations, adding physical fan experiences to the film, music, games and merchandise.

The film is even receiving a director approved physical release from The Criterion Collection on 3 November 2026, including a 4K edition, a new making of documentary and the full feature length animatic.

Netflix and AEG Presents have also announced an official KPop Demon Hunters global concert tour for 2027. The live production will bring elements of the film and its music into an arena experience. Netflix has not yet announced the tour cities or dates.

Taken together with the sequel and continued toy releases, those developments show a property that Netflix is continuing to build rather than one relying only on the success of its original 2025 release.

Is KPop Demon Hunters Suitable for Children?

Netflix Ireland lists KPop Demon Hunters as PG.

The Irish Film Classification Office also gave the theatrical sing along version a PG classification. IFCO recorded mild animated fantasy violence and threat, along with emotional exchanges.

Parents can use those classifications alongside their own knowledge of their child's comfort with fantasy battles, demons and some emotional story elements.

What Comes Next for KPop Demon Hunters?

The most important future development is the confirmed sequel, although Netflix has not yet announced when it will be released.

The merchandise programme is also continuing through 2026 and beyond. Mattel and Hasbro's agreements were established as long term global toy partnerships, while LEGO has already confirmed further sets for 2027.

The official global concert tour will take KPop Demon Hunters into live arenas in 2027, while Netflix continues to develop games and physical fan experiences around the franchise.

That gives KPop Demon Hunters several routes to remain visible between films: its music continues to be streamed, new merchandise is still being released, additional LEGO products are coming, a global concert tour is planned, and the next film is officially in development.

For Irish fans, the KPop Demon Hunters collection at ToyTown.ie will be updated as new products are added to our range.

Frequently Asked Questions About KPop Demon Hunters

When was KPop Demon Hunters released?: KPop Demon Hunters was released on Netflix on 20 June 2025.
Who are HUNTR/X?: HUNTR/X is the KPop trio of Rumi, Mira and Zoey. They perform as KPop stars while secretly protecting the human world from demons.
Who are the Saja Boys?: The Saja Boys are a rival KPop group made up of demons. The group consists of Jinu, Abby, Baby, Romance and Mystery.
Who is the main villain in KPop Demon Hunters?: Gwi-Ma is the demon ruler behind the threat facing HUNTR/X. Jinu and the Saja Boys initially work on his behalf.
What age rating is KPop Demon Hunters in Ireland?: Netflix Ireland lists KPop Demon Hunters as PG. The Irish Film Classification Office also classified the theatrical sing along version PG.
Did KPop Demon Hunters win an Oscar?: Yes. KPop Demon Hunters won Best Animated Feature at the 2026 Academy Awards, while "Golden" won Best Original Song.
Did "Golden" win a Grammy?: Yes. "Golden" won Best Song Written for Visual Media at the 2026 Grammy Awards.
Is KPop Demon Hunters 2 confirmed?: Yes. Netflix officially confirmed the sequel on 12 March 2026, with Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans returning to direct.
When will KPop Demon Hunters 2 be released?: Netflix has not announced an official release date for the KPop Demon Hunters sequel.
Are KPop Demon Hunters toys available in Ireland?: Yes. ToyTown.ie has a dedicated KPop Demon Hunters collection containing an expanding range of licensed products. The collection page shows the latest range available from ToyTown.
Are there LEGO KPop Demon Hunters sets?: Yes. The first LEGO KPop Demon Hunters set was released in 2026. LEGO has also officially confirmed that additional KPop Demon Hunters sets will follow in 2027.
Is there a KPop Demon Hunters concert tour?: Yes. Netflix and AEG Presents have announced an official KPop Demon Hunters global concert tour for 2027. Cities and tour dates have not yet been announced.
Where can I buy KPop Demon Hunters toys in Ireland?: Browse the KPop Demon Hunters collection at ToyTown.ie for the latest products available online, with delivery across Ireland and Click and Collect from ToyTown Longford.

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