At KCON LA 2025, the energy was palpable as fans from across the globe gathered to celebrate their love for K-pop. But this year, there was a twist in the air—thanks to the animated sensation K-pop Demon Hunters, fans weren’t just cheering for their favorite idols; they were imagining them as supernatural warriors. On August 9, 2025, Billboard took to the bustling convention floor, asking fans a simple yet intriguing question: if you could assemble your own dream team of ‘KPop Demon Hunters,’ who would make the cut?
The responses were as varied as the fandoms themselves. One fan, brimming with excitement, declared, “First Tae-Rae, from ZEROBASEONE because our energy can match. Second, if I had to pick someone else, I’m thinking Dahyun from TWICE. I feel like that’s already like a pretty good trio, right? And then one more, right? Okay, last one. If I had to pick one, let’s do Leehan from BOYNEXTDOOR.” The process of team assembly turned into a collaborative game for others, with a group of friends bouncing picks off each other. Brooke Morrison, reporting for Billboard, chimed in, “Okay, I’m picking Suga from BTS.” Her companion responded, “I’m picking HWSA because she’s so hot.” Morrison agreed enthusiastically, and the trio was rounded out with Eunha from GFRIEND.
The creativity didn’t stop there. Another fan confidently listed, “Wonyoung, Karina and let’s go, just go Winter,” nodding to the powerhouse presence of aespa. Yet another group chose Ningning, ASA, and Anna, while a different fan’s lineup included Giselle, Chuu, and Eve. Morrison laughed along, noting, “You guys got all the aespa in there. That’s amazing.”
For some, the choices reflected a blend of vocal prowess and stage charisma. When asked about her picks, one fan replied, “Oh, I would probably pick Jung Kook of BTS, Yun Jun of TXT, Dino of SEVENTEEN. That would be my perfect three.” It was clear that fans saw their idols not just as performers, but as heroes fit for the animated world of K-pop Demon Hunters.
The excitement around the franchise wasn’t limited to the convention center. Just a day later, on August 10, 2025, Korean television brought its own spin to the phenomenon. KBS2’s legendary comedy show Gag Concert dedicated a segment called ‘Chatflix’ to parodying K-pop Demon Hunters, blending pop culture with sharp satire. According to KBS2, Na Hyun-young transformed into Rumi, the charismatic leader of the fictional girl group Huntrix, captivating the audience with her spot-on impersonation.
The comedy didn’t end there. Song Joon-geun, Park Sung-kwang, and Sanghoon Lee took the stage as the boy group Lion Boys, but their appearance stirred unexpected resistance. The audience, ever vocal, poured out dissatisfied chats, with quips like, “I’m not here to see this.” The live feedback, delivered via on-screen chat, added a layer of unpredictability and hilarity to the show. Park Sung-kwang, in particular, found himself at the center of the storm—facing what KBS2 described as an “unexpected retirement crisis” due to the relentless audience commentary.
“The contents of the audience’s chat that embarrassed Park Sung-kwang can be found on the main broadcast,” teased KBS2, inviting viewers to tune in for the full comedic effect. The ‘Chatflix’ segment wasn’t just a parody; it was a mirror reflecting the fierce passion and discerning tastes of K-pop fans, who know exactly what (and who) they want to see in their fantasy groups.
But Gag Concert didn’t stop with K-pop. The broadcast also featured ‘The Match of the Century,’ a segment where Kim Sung-won donned the persona of a sloth from Disney’s Zootopia. With meticulous attention to detail, Kim mimicked the sloth’s famously slow expressions and movements, turning the auditorium into what KBS2 called “a sea of laughter.” The show’s producers hinted that Kim’s performance could be the decisive factor in Yoon Seung’s victory, adding a competitive edge to the evening’s entertainment.
The dual homage to K-pop Demon Hunters and Zootopia underscored the global reach of animated storytelling and the ways in which Korean variety shows deftly blend international trends with local humor. Parody, after all, is a form of flattery—and in this case, it’s a testament to the impact that K-pop Demon Hunters has had not just on fans, but on the wider entertainment landscape.
Back at KCON LA, the fusion of animation and idol culture was evident everywhere you looked. Fans wore costumes inspired by the film, carried homemade banners, and debated the merits of their chosen lineups. The question posed by Billboard wasn’t just a fun icebreaker—it was a window into how deeply these stories resonate. For many, assembling a ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ group was about more than picking favorites; it was about imagining a world where their idols could be both performers and protectors, blending fantasy with fandom in a uniquely modern way.
What’s behind the enduring appeal of K-pop Demon Hunters? For starters, it taps into the global rise of K-pop, a genre that’s as much about storytelling and identity as it is about music. By casting beloved idols as demon-fighting heroes, the film gives fans a new lens through which to view their favorites—one that’s playful, empowering, and endlessly customizable. The fan-driven team-building at KCON LA, combined with the parody on Gag Concert, shows just how far this concept has traveled, crossing borders and genres with ease.
Of course, the phenomenon raises questions about the future of pop culture crossovers. Will we see more animated films starring real-life idols? Could variety shows continue to blur the lines between reality and fiction, turning audience feedback into part of the performance? If the enthusiastic response at KCON LA and the roaring laughter on KBS2 are any indication, the appetite for such creative mashups is only growing.
In the end, whether fans are assembling their ultimate demon-hunting squads or comedians are poking fun at pop culture’s latest craze, one thing is clear: K-pop Demon Hunters has struck a chord. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the best stories are the ones we build together—one idol, one laugh, and one dream team at a time.
