It’s official. “KPop Demon Hunters” – a global sensation – has made a splash at PNW.

Hashim Salameh, a graduate student studying Biology, loves everything about the movie.

“I would say it deserves the hype,” she said. “It was a good movie. …I don’t really know why it was so catchy and so, like, enticing.”

The animated film follows K-pop superstars Rumi, Mira and Zoey, known together as HUNTR/X, as they balance lives as idols and supernatural demon hunters. The three work together to defeat their greatest challenge: a rival boyband comprised of demons in disguise.

HUNTR/X became the first girl group to rank No. 1 on the Billboard’s Hot 100 list since Destiny’s Child claimed the spot in 2001. The group is also the highest charting K-pop girl group in U.S. Spotify history. The group’s rivals, the Saja Boys, are also the highest charting K-pop boy band. 

HUNTR/X’s song “Golden” has shattered records as it is now one of the top 10 longest-leading No. 1 songs to come from a film. 

The film has most notably made history through its musical feats. 

Students and faculty have both watched the film on Netflix and found joy in its catchy songs. 

Alexis Polyak, a senior majoring in integrated human health, believes that the plot is what makes this film so popular among such different groups of people. 

“Oh, I watched it. …I think the plot is pretty good,” said Alexis Polyak, a senior majoring in Integrated Human Health. “It actually has a plot to it, not just, like, really stupid stuff.”

Dan Wilbur, professor of communication, has been bombarded by all things “KPop Demon Hunters” through his 4-year-old granddaughter. In Wilbur’s house, the soundtrack is going platinum. 

“I have now seen the movie in its entirety many times on Netflix,” he said. “My granddaughter sings along to most of the songs and knows all the lyrics. Her favorite song changes often, but her consistent favorites are ‘How It’s Done’, ‘What It Sounds Like’, ‘Golden’ and ‘Soda Pop’.”

Wilbur himself has come to understand the fanfare surrounding the film,

“I believe the movie deserves all the hype,” he said. “It effectively fuses genres and cultures, and it has clearly resonated with audiences.”