K-Pop Stars Outrank Lady Gaga? How a Netflix Cartoon Conquered the World

A Korean animated film has become Netflix's most-watched title ever. Its characters now get more social media attention than real-life superstars like Lady Gaga. *KPop Demon Hunters* launched on Netflix in late June with little advance notice. Its immediate, global success shocked the entertainment industry. Six months later, demand remains high for merchandise, music, and new stories from the film's universe. The movie is a "musical urban fantasy." It follows Huntr/x (pronounced "Huntrix"), a K-pop girl group who secretly fight demons. They use combat skills and empowering pop music to protect humanity. Their rivals are the Saja Boys, a group who are secretly demons. The story forces the two groups into a conflict that threatens Earth's peace. At stake is the "Honmoon," a magical barrier that protects the human world from the underworld.