When KPop Demon Hunters made its Netflix debut in June 2025, few could have predicted the cultural tidal wave it would unleash. The animated musical, centered on the K-pop girl group Huntr/x—who moonlight as demon hunters—didn’t just rack up views; it became a bona fide global phenomenon. Now, fans who have been clamoring for answers to the movie’s tantalizing cliffhangers and backstories may not have to wait much longer. On September 17, 2025, the Motion Picture Association (MPA) quietly released a bulletin that sent ripples through fan communities: a new short film, titled Debut: A KPOP Demon Hunters Story, has been rated PG and is potentially ready for release.
According to the MPA’s official bulletin, the short film is categorized as an “animated short subject” and was submitted by Sony Pictures Animation. The rating—PG for “some action/violence and scary images”—suggests that, once again, Huntr/x will be battling more than just chart-topping rivals. The bulletin’s appearance on Reddit quickly ignited speculation: what exactly is this new chapter, and when will fans get to see it?
The answer, at least in part, lies in the process itself. For a film to receive an official MPA rating, a finished cut must be submitted to the Classification and Rating Administration. This means that, barring last-minute tweaks or appeals by Sony, Debut: A KPOP Demon Hunters Story is complete and could be delivered to Netflix at any time. As Screen Rant points out, this is more than just a bureaucratic step—it’s a signal that the franchise is moving swiftly to keep its momentum alive.
And momentum is something KPop Demon Hunters has in spades. Since its release, the original film has amassed a staggering 300 million views on Netflix, according to Screen Rant. It enjoyed a wildly successful weekend-long box office run and currently boasts a 95% critics’ approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The soundtrack has dominated musical charts, and the film is already being tipped as a frontrunner for Best Animated Feature at the upcoming Oscars. In the words of Collider, “2025 is, without a doubt, the year of KPop Demon Hunters.”
But what about Debut: A KPOP Demon Hunters Story itself? While Sony and Netflix have yet to officially announce a release date, the title and context offer tantalizing clues. As Screen Rant notes, the “debut” in the title suggests a prequel, likely focusing on the professional beginnings of Huntr/x. Fans have speculated that the short could explore the group’s first steps into both the K-pop industry and the supernatural world of demon hunting. This origin story would answer some of the lingering questions left by the feature film—questions like how Rumi, Zoey, and Mira first came together, and what really drives them to protect humanity from demonic threats.
There’s also talk, according to Collider, that the short might delve into the legacy of previous generations of demon hunters. The original movie established that Rumi, Zoey, and Mira are just the latest in a long line of idols who have taken up the mantle. However, given Huntr/x’s overwhelming popularity, most insiders believe the focus will remain on the trio fans have come to love. And for those hoping for a new musical earworm, there’s speculation that the short could feature an original song—perhaps even one that rivals the movie’s breakout hit, “Golden.”
For the uninitiated, the process of getting an MPA rating is more than a rubber stamp. Studios submit their finished films, and the Classification and Rating Administration weighs factors like language, violence, and overall intensity before assigning a rating. If the studio disagrees with the outcome, it can trim scenes or appeal the decision. But the very act of submission means a finished product exists—one that’s ready to meet its audience, pending any last-minute studio decisions. As Parents magazine explains, “It’s not censorship, but more of a ‘parental guidance’ situation.”
The emergence of Debut: A KPOP Demon Hunters Story has also sparked discussion about the franchise’s future. The original film left viewers with a host of unresolved plot threads—Rumi’s mother’s mysterious death, the fate of Jinu, and the question of who’s looking after Derpy, to name a few. While a full-length sequel is reportedly in development, the short film offers a bridge for fans, keeping the franchise in the spotlight and stoking anticipation for what’s next.
There’s also the possibility, raised by Screen Rant, that the short could be screened ahead of Netflix’s upcoming limited theatrical releases. Not only would this give the short a wider audience, but it could also bolster box office receipts for those films. And with the Oscars on the horizon, there’s already buzz that Debut: A KPOP Demon Hunters Story could be a contender for Best Animated Short in 2026.
Writers Hannah McMechan, Chris Appelhans, Maggie Kang, and Danya Jimenez—who helped shape the original film’s unique blend of action, music, and supernatural lore—are credited with bringing this new story to life. Their challenge: to satisfy a fanbase that’s both deeply invested in the characters and eager for fresh adventures. As Screen Rant puts it, “A short film is the perfect format to explore Huntr/x’s past rather than their future.”
The timing couldn’t be better. With the franchise dominating pop culture and the soundtrack still riding high, a new short film is poised to keep KPop Demon Hunters at the center of the conversation. Whether it’s a lighthearted origin story, a deeper dive into the group’s mythology, or a showcase for new music, one thing is certain: fans are ready for more.
For now, the exact release date remains a mystery, and Netflix has yet to make an official announcement. But with a finished, rated short film waiting in the wings, it’s only a matter of time before Huntr/x takes the stage once again—proving that, in the world of KPop Demon Hunters, the drama (and the demons) never really sleeps.
