Netflix’s animated summer sensation, “KPop Demon Hunters“ , continues to dominate global viewership charts, but a swirl of misinformation has recently stirred controversy online. In particular, claims that HYBE will produce a live-action adaptation of the animated hit have gone viral, only to be met with intense backlash from netizens.
In particular, netizens on Korean platforms like TheQoo reacted strongly to reports suggesting HYBE was working on a live-action version of “KPop Demon Hunters”, with comments like, “Please stop this madness,” “It’s going to flop,” and “ Don’t let HYBE touch this, please.”
As a matter of fact, on July 23, HYBE America indeed announced a new film project with Paramount Pictures that revolves around K-pop. However, this is not a live-action version of “KPop Demon Hunters”, but a movie with a separate, original story.
The untitled project stars Yoo Ji-young, who voiced Zoey, a member of girl group Huntr/x in “KPop Demon Hunters”, alongside Eric Nam. The plot centers on a Korean-American girl auditioning for a K-pop reality show, defying her family’s wishes in pursuit of her dream.
Director Benson Lee described the film as a love letter to the magic, passion, and global energy of K-pop, whereas HYBE America’s head of film and TV, James Shin, emphasized its focus on perseverance, artistry, and inspiration drawn from real-world K-pop culture.
The film is set to begin production in Korea in September 2025, marking the first time a major Hollywood studio will shoot a full feature film entirely in South Korea. Its release is tentatively scheduled for February 12, 2027.
Meanwhile, “KPop Demon Hunters” has become one of Netflix’s most-watched animated titles of all time. The story follows three members of Huntr/x, a K-pop girl group who moonlight as demon hunters. Using their songs to create spiritual barriers, they battle dark forces beneath the Earth.
Their enemies? A rival group named Saja Boys, seemingly charming idols who are, in fact, demons in disguise. These male idols use music to steal fans’ souls and feed their demonic power.
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