K-Pop Demon Hunters: the BTS connection behind Netflix’s fiercest girl group

K-Pop Demon Hunters, Netflix’s electrifying new animated film, embodies the global rise of K-pop through an explosive mix of music, magic, and mayhem. While the movie’s neon-soaked visuals and fierce girl group aesthetic might seem like pure fantasy, its heart beats to a very real rhythm: the unexpected spark that came from BTS during the pandemic.

When the world was forced into isolation, BTS’s online “Dynamite” concert became a rare moment of collective joy. Millions of people—scattered across different continents and time zones—sang and danced together from their living rooms, creating a wave of warmth that transcended screens. For directors Chris Appelhans and Maggie Kang, this concert became more than entertainment. It felt like a lifeline.

That shared heartbeat of hope and energy ultimately shaped the core of K-Pop Demon Hunters. The result is a film that pays tribute to K-pop as a genre while capturing the emotional gravitas of a fandom united by music even in the darkest times.

BTS as a creative spark

BTS is openly credited by director Chris Appelhans for sparking the fundamental concept of K-Pop Demon Hunters. He described how the pandemic made people feel alone all around the world, when even the liveliest cities fell silent and daily life seemed to stop. BTS offered an unexpected light that pierced through the monotony and fear.

“Maggie and I began planning this film during the pandemic—a time when people all over the world were struggling to feel connected. Then BTS held an online concert, and suddenly millions of people, including us, were singing and dancing to ‘Dynamite’ from our homes,” he shared.

This sudden explosion of energy brightened living rooms and reawakened a sense of global community that had drifted away.

He added,

“For a moment, the world felt a little brighter.”

That particular moment turned into a glimmer of optimism that eventually developed into a narrative that combined fantasy and popular culture. The warmth and sense of collective joy from that concert became the emotional backbone of the film’s story, guiding its pulse and shaping every colorful battle and every note of music that drives the characters forward.

More than a concert, a global pulse

Maggie Kang also emphasized that BTS’s “Dynamite” concert served as a crucial emotional touchpoint while developing the film’s characters and spirit. For her, the concert wasn't merely a digital event; it represented an entire world reaching out to hold hands through music.

“Rumi’s character … not based on any single individual. The film was conceived during the COVID-19 pandemic, with BTS's virtual ‘Dynamite’ concert serving as a key inspiration for uniting global audiences through music,” Kang explained.

Her words reflect how deeply the directors wanted to translate that collective heartbeat into an animated story that feels alive beyond the screen.

The directors saw how BTS managed to connect millions despite physical distance, transforming empty rooms into dance floors and solitude into shared celebration. That vision became the blueprint for a narrative about music as both weapon and refuge, a force powerful enough to banish personal demons and external threats alike. In this way, K-Pop Demon Hunters is not only an action-packed adventure but also a quiet love letter to the power of togetherness, echoing a concert that for many felt like a lifeline when they needed it most.

From screen to soul

The creators didn’t want K-Pop Demon Hunters to feel like just another action fantasy. Instead, they envisioned a story that carried the same unifying energy that BTS sparked worldwide.

“This uplifting experience inspired the creators to develop a story that blends K-pop energy with emotional depth,” Appelhans noted.

It was a deliberate move to channel the collective spirit of fans dancing alone yet together in their bedrooms, connected by a single beat.

On Reddit, fans also picked up this intention:

“BTS’s online concert, where millions sang and danced to ‘Dynamite,’ brought a sense of unity and hope. This moment influenced the creators to craft a film that blends fun, trends, and bold action…”

The echo of BTS in K-Pop Demon Hunters

At its core, K-Pop Demon Hunters is more than a neon-colored adventure or a showcase of catchy dance moves. It’s a living testament to the power of music to bridge distances and heal unseen wounds.

By weaving BTS’s pandemic-era energy into every frame, the film transforms a global moment of fear and loneliness into a vivid celebration of connection. The creators embraced K-pop aesthetics fully, capturing a collective heartbeat that pulsed across the world when everyone needed it most.

K-Pop Demon Hunters stands as proof that even in our most isolated moments, shared joy can become our strongest armor and perhaps our fiercest weapon.