A short 40-second teaser for the animated film K-Pop Demon Hunters has ignited a firestorm of criticism in South Korea, with viewers accusing the production team of shamelessly exploiting BLACKPINK for promotional gain. The teaser, which highlights a scene featuring a fictional girl group named HUNTR/X performing on a grand stage, explicitly states that the scene was inspired by BLACKPINK’s iconic Coachella performance.
- “BLACKPINK and Jennie are not a charity. Stop this nonsense.”
- “First it was Jennie, now they’re dragging the whole group in. Watch them deny it next week.”
- “It’s embarrassing how they keep using BLACKPINK for clout, then backtrack.”
These are just a few of the countless comments flooding platforms like X (formerly Twitter), where hashtags related to the controversy are trending globally.
This isn’t the first time the film has been in hot water. The director previously suggested, without confirmation, that the lead female character was loosely based on Jennie (BLACKPINK). While there has never been official involvement from Jennie or her agency, the insinuation alone was enough to spark widespread backlash from K-pop fans who viewed it as a calculated PR ploy.
In a separate reveal, fans also noticed uncanny similarities between the male lead character and Cha Eun Woo, further fueling suspicions that the production team has been “borrowing” likenesses and vibes from various popular idols. Names like BIGBANG, BTS, TXT, Stray Kids, Monsta X, and ATEEZ have all reportedly been cited as inspirations in vague promotional interviews.
What’s fueling the anger even more is the fact that K-Pop Demon Hunters doesn’t need the extra buzz. As of August, it’s the most-watched animated feature on Netflix in 93 countries, ranking No.1 in the US, UK, France, Japan, and South Korea. Its original soundtrack, Golden, reached No.3 on Billboard 200, and set a new record for the most-streamed animated OST in its first week on Spotify US, surpassing previous K-pop records set by BTS and BLACKPINK themselves.
On Rotten Tomatoes, the film boasts a stunning 96% critic score and is already being considered a frontrunner for the 2026 Oscars in the categories of Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song.
Despite the accolades, many argue that the creators’ continued reliance on BLACKPINK’s brand, without permission or direct collaboration, undermines their success and sets a problematic precedent for future K-pop-themed media.
As one netizen bluntly put it: “Is there a group they haven’t mentioned at this point?! Typical money-grabbing behaviour”
Sources: kenh14
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