Annalisa Segura’s (12) cosplay as Rumi for the Netflix hit movie “KPop Demon Hunters.”

Netflix Phenomenon Reaches More Than $18 Million In the Box Office Within Two Days

The viral movie KPop Demon Hunters reached theaters for a limited time at only 1,700 theaters

Ella Quinney and Cody Zhang | September 3, 2025

“It’s taken over the internet, in a good way,” Peyton Quinn (9) said.

“This is a kids movie, but it’s a bonding event for the world, almost,” Annalisa Segura (12) said.

“It unites people,” Alex Emberton (12) said.

These are just some of the thoughts about Netflix’s global phenomenon, KPop Demon Hunters. Its soundtrack has topped global charts, from Billboard to Hot 100 to Spotify Global. It is Netflix’s highest grossing and most streamed movie in existence. Kpop Demon Hunters has changed the world’s view on kpop, Korean culture, animation, and storytelling itself.

Cosplaying for the theater debut was a special moment for Annalisa Segura. The kids she passed by in the theater called out Rumi’s name as she passed them, pointing out the makeup look to their parents. ”Again, it’s just that bonding experience. I’ve never dressed up for anything. So this was really my first time nerding out on something,” she said. (Annalisa Seguara)

While the film is for children, teens and adults have found their way to it. The older viewers of the show have found themselves in the characters.

“Mira, for instance, I heavily relate to her. In the movie she goes ‘I’m a very aggressive, highly opinionated person, and it’s hard to get along with people,’ and I was like, oh my god, I’ve never seen a character who just says that in a movie,” Segura said.

Viewers haven’t only found interest in the story, but also in the music, “I like how it’s a great representation for music, and it’s a great way for a lot of people to get exposed to this genre,” Emberton said.

Along with the soundtrack, fans have loved the animation. With a unique style and special attention to detail, the film transports the viewer into the movie. Hayden Elders (9) has found the animation in the film to be a major point of watching.

Elders has seen several videos online of people analyzing aspects of the animation, “Rumi’s sword changes and it could imply, that whenever it was the normal two-sided sword she was confused as to whether she was a demon or a demon hunter herself, but whenever it goes fully one sided, she actually has everything figured out, and is finding herself,” Elders said.

Due to the film’s original success, Netflix released it in theaters on Aug. 23-24 for a limited time sing along event. The film held the number one spot at the box office, and had an estimated gross of $18 million. The theatrical debut of the movie had students flock to see it, in order to be surrounded by a community of like-minded individuals.

“The people. Watching it with strangers that you’ve never even met before, and they’re singing over the same thing. They’re laughing at the same joke. They’re having the same emotions you feel,” Segura said.

Passion Can Pay Off

Our student responses, as well as the world’s response to this film wouldn’t have been possible if it weren’t for Maggie Kang. Kang felt a deep respect and love for her Korean heritage, she pulled details from mythology, demonology, and Korean folklore to craft this future phenomenon.

She finished the film in July of 2018 but every time she presented her work, companies wanted to change it, and she said no every time. Finally, in March of 2021, Sony Pictures Animation accepted the project and announced that the project was underway. Kang was credited as co-director, lead writer, and creator for her work, after years of turning down offers that demanded she compromise her vision. She would not downsize her dream, and the world received the blessing for her grit.

Kang had created the girl group HUNTR/X inspired by girl groups like TWICE and BLACKPINK and the Saja Boy were inspired by boy bands like BTS and Stray Kids. Jeongyeon, Jihyo, and Chaeyoung of TWICE themselves did a version of the soundtrack’s TAKEDOWN and TWICE did an original called Strategy for Kang’s film.

After four years of collaboration, production, and writing, KPop Demon Hunters was soft launched on Netflix on June 20. It received over 25.4 million views in the first week it streamed. Due to this massive success it was released to theaters for a weekend, August 23-24. It made over $18 million in the box office from only two days in 1,200 theaters.

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About the Contributors

Ella Quinney, Editor-in-Chief of The Ledger

Ella Quinney is a senior, this is her fourth year in Publications. Quinney is Co-Editor-in-Chief of the Ledger magazine, along with a reporter for the website. She can’t wait to work alongside her staff to produce the magazine, and work on the website this year. Outside of Publications, she is Key Club’s editor and a member of DECA. Quinney bakes, reads, and hangs out with her friends in her free time. She is looking forward to a great last year, in and out of the classroom.

Cody Zhang, Reporter

Cody Zhang is a sophomore, and this is his second year in Publications. Zhang loves to indulge in the process of making movies, music videos, books, and other forms of entertainment. Zhang hopes he could create a career out of this passion either as an author or storyboard artist for film. Aside from Publications and writing, Zhang enjoys music. Music with deep meanings and bigger stories really resonate with Zhang and really help him focus when adding notes to his storyboard or even trying to get a first draft down.