The first domestic sing-along screening of Netflix’s animated feature 'KPop Demon Hunters' drew a full crowd at Dongseo University’s Sohyang Theater Shinhan Card Hall in Haeundae, Busan, on September 20, 2025 KST, followed by an in-theater Q&A with director Maggie Kang. The film follows K-pop superstars Rumi, Mira, and Joy, who moonlight as hidden guardians protecting the world behind the glare of their stages.
Fans treated the screening like a concert. Lightsticks waved throughout—some viewers even brought handmade versions emblazoned with in-universe team names like Saja Boys and HUNTR/X—and call-and-response singing broke out number after number. Despite much of the soundtrack being in English, children in the audience kept tempo and lyrics with surprising precision, turning sections of the show into true sing-along moments shared across the room.
After the credits, Maggie Kang came on stage for her first in-theater meet with local audiences. She opened with, “So many of you came—I feel like an idol.” Hands shot up—especially from young viewers—who offered reactions and asked questions they’d saved up through repeat watches. Adults nearby helped the kids catch Maggie Kang’s and the moderator’s attention, adding to the warm, communal feel.
A ten-year-old named Ha Jun asked Maggie Kang to sing a favorite line. Maggie Kang shyly deferred, then, as the session wrapped, invited Ha Jun to the stage for a duet of 'Takedown'. Ha Jun powered through the rapid-fire English verses, while Maggie Kang matched with clean pitch; the theater answered with loud applause. Exiting the hall, Ha Jun said, “Meeting Maggie Kang surprised me. Hearing so many people sing made it lively—standing among fans felt great. Singing with the director was fun, amazing, and I felt happy.” Another young attendee added, “I was so excited when I got to ask my question. Everyone around me cheered me on. A sing-along where we all sing together is just so fun.”
Beyond the Q&A, the fandom visuals were hard to miss. One woman in her twenties said she prepped for ticketing “like a top-idol concert,” memorizing the schedule code to beat the rush. Cosplay and themed outfits dotted the aisles: an eleven-year-old arrived in Rumi’s stage costume and posed for photos, and friends showed off character-themed tees from the film. As the audience filed out, many kept their lightsticks on, lingering in the lobby to extend the sing-along mood.
The 30th Busan International Film Festival runs through October 26, 2025 KST around the Busan Cinema Center, screening 328 titles. This year’s competitive Busan Awards will present five honors: Grand Prize, Best Director, Jury’s Special Award, two Acting Awards, and an Artistic Contribution Award.
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