*SPOILER ALERT*
While I loved so many things about this movie (especially the music!) here are three of the things I loved most about KPOP Demon Hunters, and how they allowed me to have important discussions with my preteen in a non-threatening way.
1. RuJinu
Unlike most movies with a romantic trope, Rumi and Jinu didn’t instantly fall in love.
There also weren’t any kissing scenes (my 11 yr old was so grateful for this!), so it’s clear that their relationship was based on their emotional connection.
Their duet “Free” is literally about unconditional acceptance & healing together.
Why it matters:
So many movies, shows, & music for kids (and adults!) normalize unhealthy relationships.
This makes it harder to spot red flags for predators and toxic people, and arguably grooms us for these types of relationships.
I really appreciate that this movie centers the romantic relationship on genuine connection–kids need more examples of what a healthy relationship looks like.
2. The importance of authenticity:
The scene where Rumi asks her adoptive mom why she couldn’t just love her totally broke my heart. I know so many people who spend their entire lives wishing their parents could just love and accept them fully.
The movie makes it clear literally and symbolically that hiding her patterns was killing Rumi on the inside, and that she became more powerful when she embraced her light & dark.
Why it matters:
The feeling that something’s inherently wrong with us is the *most dangerous feeling* in the world. Ultimately this is the feeling that is at the core of hopelessness & suicidality.
This scene was a powerful reminder that how well we accept our kids affects whether they feel safe being themselves.
We can either build them up, or make them vulnerable.
If this is something that you’ve struggled with, I have a guided journal called The Home Within, which helps cycle breaking parents to meet every part of themselves with more gentleness and compassion.
3. The demons represent our own shame, guilt, and insecurities:
The scene near the end where you can hear each character’s greatest fears in their own voice was really powerful.
Zoey’s fear of being too much & not enough.
Mira’s fear of not belonging in a family
Bobby’s fear of failure
They were all sprinkled throughout the movie, but in this moment, the fear won.
Why it matters:
This opened up a discussion with my 11 yr old about how it’s important to pay attention to our thoughts, and that just because we think something doesn’t make it *true*.
At the end of the day, these are the real demons we each have to slay.
To be clear I’m not sitting there ruining the movie with my commentary 😆, but afterward when the kids talk about it, these are some of the things I brought up.
I don’t believe in raising kids in a bubble—that’s why I’m teaching mine how to thoughtfully consider what they’re consuming.
They can like something, and still disagree with the messaging or how it’s represented.
So if this resonates and you want to watch this movie with your kiddos, you can find it on Netflix. Since there weren’t really any bad words or inappropriate scenes, I felt letting my 5yr old watch it too. Note: the demons could be scary to some kids.
At the end of the day, even movies that you don’t like or don’t agree with can create opportunities for important discussions. The key here is to start thinking of what they are consuming, and how that might affect what they believe about life, love, and themselves.