The formula behind Netflix's biggest film of all-time.

Hollywood

The animated film 'Kpop Demon Hunters' has emerged as the most-watched title on Netflix and achieved a historic milestone by placing four tracks in the Billboard Top Ten simultaneously. Directed by Maggie Kang, the movie authentically celebrates K-pop culture, featuring a fictional girl group and exploring the demanding yet vibrant world of K-pop idols.

The film's success is attributed to its cultural authenticity, strong female role models, and collaboration with real K-pop industry professionals. Its music and themes resonate with audiences of all ages, addressing universal struggles and the power of community, while a grassroots movement among K-pop fans helped propel it to global prominence.

How 'KPOP Demon Hunters' became the biggest hit of the year

The biggest hit of the year and maybe the decade is kpop demon hunters The animated pop musical has become a monster sensation since it was released in June of this year Not only is it the number one watch title on Netflix of all time But it's the first soundtrack ever to have four tracks in the billboard top ten at the same time Kpop demon hunters isn't just a great movie with killer music It's much much more than that what we are witnessing is a once-in-a-generation success story So what made kpop demon hunters the golden hit of 2025? Well, I'm gonna show you how it's done For many kpop demon hunters was their introduction to kpop but for most around the world Kpop was already wildly popular by the early 2020s kpop had evolved to reflect the musical output of idols Mostly girl groups and boy bands coming out of Korea Kpop groups lean into their role as idols and go through years of training to embody all Aspects of being musical and cultural icons. So when these groups hit they really hit big Even before kpop demon hunters began development in 2021 kpop was already a global phenomenon Hollywood just hadn't been able to capitalize on it yet. Why not? It wasn't until Korean Canadian filmmaker Maggie Kang began writing kpop demon hunters That we finally had a film that properly celebrated kpop Capturing both the magic and the machinery behind it The film nods to the punishing schedules and image management that idols endure but it never frames them as soul-sucking The first step in creating kpop demon hunters was getting the culture, right? The film could have easily gone the way of camp parody or industry critique But instead the animated action comedy threads the needle Embracing the spectacle of kpop while digging deeper into the emotional and cultural core that makes it so powerful Aside from tapping into the massive kpop audience ready to be unleashed in the West kpop demon hunters filled another much-needed representation gap strong Talented female role models who kick major butt the next step was getting the music, right? So Maggie and Chris went straight to the people making some of the best kpop music out there The kpop industry is very specific So we felt like if we wanted our music to be embraced by the kpop community The easiest way to do that and the best way to do that is to partner with a kpop label Like many real-life groups huntrix functions as a carefully calibrated constellation of personalities Rumi voiced by Arden Cho is the group's powerhouse leader driven and disciplined with a voice that could level buildings Mira voiced by Mei Hong is the main dancer cool and composed but hiding deeper vulnerabilities and Zoe Voiced by Ji Young Yoo the magne and resident rapper from America brings chaotic good energy and comic relief in equal measure Together they embody the familiar archetypes of kpop stardom But the film gives each one interiority pushing past the image to reveal the person underneath Every great girl group needs a worthy foil and kpop demon hunters Delivers with the Saja boys a fictional boy band who are as heart throbby as they are Villains styled with the swagger of Monsta X and the media polish of a third-gen powerhouse like BTS They are instantly memable, especially when they make their slow-motion entrance to EXO's love me right hair tousled eyes Smoldering abs rippling evil intentions barely concealed It's a brilliantly pointed metaphor boy bands that feed off obsession idol worship that consumes the commentary is sharp But it never veers into scolding just a winking acknowledgement of how powerful and parasocial Pop fandom can be and the music is really good and it does what every successful mega hit musical does It has songs and themes that appeal to both kids and adults of every age Where some audiences get hooked in by the music others get pulled in by the messaging Soda pop is a good old-fashioned bubblegum pop song that has every kid I know obsessed and most parents for at least the first thousand plays what it sounds like It's an epic banger pop ballad tapping into universal themes that most people struggle with but haven't seen reflected in many animated films Like this one like confronting your inner demons reclaiming the parts of yourself that you're ashamed of Finding the power to be your authentic self Healing from regret and shame and finding strength in community and friendship These are powerful messages that are woven seamlessly into the music throughout the film So what did they do right first by bringing real-life k-pop idols into the filmmaking process? They assured that crucial authenticity necessary to gain the support of core k-pop Then they reached out to journalists and creators that were already fans and in the k-pop community Once they had the support of the idols and their fans It created a grassroots movement that allowed this movie to blast off into the stratosphere So what made k-pop demon hunters such a hit? It's all of these things coming together in the right way at the perfect time So if you ever want to know what makes a true hit This is what it sounds like Feel free to like and subscribe for more how it hits deep dives And if we left something out, let us know in the comments. See you next time

World leaders are gathering at the heart of the Amazon for global climate summit COP30 in Belem, Brazil, with Earth set to surpass 1.5 C of warming in the next decade, a climate change skeptic in the White House and worry that global co-operation to fight climate change is collapsing.

Belém

World leaders gather in Brazil for COP30 climate summit

Tesla shareholders approved a historic pay package worth one trillion dollars to the company's CEO, Elon Musk. At the company's annual meeting they paved the way for Musk to become the world's first trillionaire.

San Francisco

Tesla approves $1 trillion pay deal for CEO Elon Musk

The White House meeting came after Trump managed to at least temporarily ease tensions between the U.S. and China over the export of rare earth metals, a major source of contention in their trade talks.

Washington

Trump hails Central Asian leaders to forge critical mineral ties

Sudan's army rebuffed a U.S. proposal for a ceasefire and said it will rally public support to fight rebels who've captured much of the western half of the country.

Johannesburg

Sudan army rebuffs U.S. ceasefire proposal, prepares to fight on

The U.S. Senate narrowly voted 51-49 to block a resolution that sought to prevent President Donald Trump from launching strikes on Venezuela without congressional approval. The measure, led by Senators Tim Kaine, Adam Schiff, and Rand Paul, followed reports that U.S. forces have carried out at least 16 strikes on boats off Venezuela since September, killing more than 65 people.

Washington County

U.S. war on drugs: Senate republicans block move to stop boat attacks

In a video letter to her constituents, California Democrat Nancy Pelosi ended months of speculation about her political future, announcing she would not seek reelection to Congress. Elected in 1987, Pelosi would become the most powerful women in politics as the first female House speaker.

Nancy Pelosi announces retirement after historic career in Congress

Israel’s military says it has begun conducting “a wave of strikes” targeting Hezbollah military sites in southern Lebanon.

Tyre

Israel launched ‘wave of strikes’ in southern Lebanon despite truce

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his government to submit proposals to potentially resume testing nuclear weapons. This comes after President Trump directed the Pentagon to resume nuclear weapons testing "on an equal basis" with other countries.

Moscow

Putin orders proposals for resuming nuclear weapons testing

The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments challenging President Trump's authority to impose sweeping tariffs on foreign countries, with justices expressing skepticism about whether such actions fall within presidential powers or infringe on congressional authority over taxation.

Global Tariffs

Supreme Court justices appear skeptical of Trump's tariffs policies

The US government shutdown is now in its 36th day—a record-breaking length. While both political parties blame each other, the result is being felt by the public. Hundreds of thousands of federal workers are going without pay, and government programs like food benefits have been slashed.

Republicans and Democrats trade blame as shutdown drags on

At least 90 people in the central Philippines have died in floods and heavy rains caused by Typhoon Kalmaegi. 75 others are missing. Tens of thousands have been evacuated after rains flooded homes and streets, swept away vehicles and left people trapped on their roofs.

Manila

Dozens killed as Typhoon Kalmaegi hits central Philippines

President Trump hosted a breakfast for Republican senators at the White House on Wednesday morning, where he urged them to end the filibuster as the government shutdown hits a historical milestone.

Trump doubles down on Republicans as government shutdown makes history

At least nine people were killed, officials say, after a UPS cargo plane crashed near the airport in Louisville, Kentucky. Video shows the jet's left wing on fire as it tries to take off before quickly losing altitude and exploding.

Louisville

Video shows moment UPS plane crashes in Kentucky, killing nine

People around the world are reacting to Zohran Mamdani's win in the New York City mayoral race against former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa. CBS News' Ramy Inocencio spoke to Mamdani's mentor in his native Uganda about the election results.

New York

World reacts to Zohran Mamdani's win in NYC mayoral race

Typhoon Kalmaegi left a trail of destruction in the central Philippines, as the powerful storm unleashed heavy rains and floods across Visayas islands region. It's now headed towards the South China Sea and Vietnam where preparations are underway ahead of its expected landfall.

Visayas

Deadly Typhoon Kalmaegi lashes Philippines, heads towards Vietnam

A centuries-old legislative practice in the U.S Senate is being blamed as the latest roadblock in resolving the federal government shutdown. That shutdown is now in its 35th day—equaling the longest in the country's history.

Filibuster blamed for deepening U.S government shutdown

Injuries have been reported after a UPS plane crashed near the Louisville International Airport on Tuesday, officials said.

UPS plane crashes near airport in Kentucky, officials say

The U.S. Senate's 14th vote on a House-passed continuing resolution to fund the government has failed, setting up the shutdown to become the longest ever in American history.

Senate vote fails again to reopen government

A new UN report reviews the gap between countries’ climate commitments and global emissions targets.

UN report reveals climate pledges 'barely moving the needle'

Peru has severed diplomatic relations with Mexico after learning that former prime minister Betssy Chávez, accused of helping ex-president Pedro Castillo attempt a coup in 2022, has taken refuge in the Mexican embassy in Lima.

Lima

Peru cuts ties with Mexico over asylum for ex-prime minister

Former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney has died at the age of 84. He was a major force in the Republican party for more than 30 years and served as vice president under former President George W. Bush.

Breakdown