By Olivia Sanchez
Netflix’s “KPop Demon Hunters” has increased awareness of Korean culture by showcasing its folklore, traditions and artistry.
Amassing a Netflix-record 266 million views globally, “KPop Demon Hunters” tells the story of a popular K-pop girl band that possesses the ability to fight off demons through singing and dancing.
Films, shows, and music based on Korean culture have enjoyed success recently, including music from the bands BTS and Blackpink as well as the immensely popular Netflix series “Squid Game.” K-pop, also known as Korean pop, is a music genre combining different music styles with high-quality visual content that has transcended into a global phenomenon.
Jiha Moon, a Florida State University professor in the Department of Art at the College of Fine Arts, has expertise in painting, drawing, water-based media, ceramic sculpturing, Asian diaspora and contemporary art. Moon’s gestural paintings and ceramic sculptures that explore the global movement of people and their cultures have been acquired by several museums around the country.
She believes South Korea’s culture is positively reflected by the music genre K-pop.
“I think K-pop is a positive and fun way to introduce Korean culture to people around the world,” Moon said. “Of course, it depends on what you’re watching or listening to — while some aspects may be more commercial, many shows, films and performances also portray authentic cultural traditions or specific historical periods.”
A native of Daegu, South Korea, Moon takes cues from a wide range of history of Eastern and Western art, colors and designs from popular culture. She believes South Korea’s emphasis on K-culture – a global sphere of influence that includes the music genre K-pop – has been successful.
“There’s something very positive about K-pop culture that the world can benefit from,” Moon said. “In many ways, it brings people together across different languages and borders. Considering how small Korea is geographically, the global impact is remarkable. The Korean government has long invested in promoting K-culture, recognizing its people as invaluable cultural resources — and now that investment is clearly paying off.”
Media interested in discussing the Korean cultural themes of the hit film “KPop Demon Hunters,” as well as the influence of K-pop music, can reach out to Jiha Moon at jmw23m@fsu.edu.