KPop Demon Hunters just blew up on Netflix, snagging the #1 spot and raking in killer reviews worldwide. If you’re anything like us, you binged it in one sitting and now you’re wondering, Who are these incredible voices bringing the demon-hunting, K-pop-idol action to life? We got you.
This animated flick, from the brilliant minds behind Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, delivers on all fronts: heart, humor, and some seriously slick demon-slaying. But let’s be real, a huge part of its charm comes from its stacked cast.
Read more: ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Blasts to #1 on Netflix, Earns Stellar Reviews Globally
Meet HUNTR/X: The Triple Threat Taking Down Evil
At the core of KPop Demon Hunters are the ladies of HUNTR/X: Rumi, Mira, and Zoey. By day, they’re chart-topping K-pop sensations. By night? They’re secretly kicking demon butt. It’s a tough gig, but someone’s gotta do it.
Arden Cho as Rumi (Vocals by EJAE)
Arden Cho absolutely slays as Rumi, the confident, ambitious leader of HUNTR/X. Rumi’s all about keeping her bandmates hyped and pushing for greatness, but she’s also wrestling with a big secret. Cho herself spilled the beans to Netflix, saying, “There is so much happening for Rumi. One of the things I really loved about the character is that she’s so relatable to so many of us. She is a sister to the girls, she’s the leader, she has such a big heart, and she wants to do all these amazing things while she’s battling her identity issues.”
You’ve seen Arden Cho before in Teen Wolf and Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender. But for those incredible vocal performances that make Rumi sound like a true K-pop idol, give a huge shout-out to EJAE. She’s not just a vocalist; she’s also a vocal producer and arranger who even penned some of the film’s bangers. She’s worked with major K-pop groups like Aespa and TWICE, so you know the music is legit.
May Hong as Mira (Vocals by Audrey Nuna)
Then there’s Mira, voiced by the super talented May Hong. Mira’s the rebellious, spirited one of the group, not afraid to shake things up, even if she comes from a traditional background. Hong describes Mira as a skeptic initially, someone who takes time to trust, but once she does, “they’re bonded for life. She adds, She is a burning fire. She’s really passionate and doesn’t let it show sometimes.”
Hong’s got a diverse resume, including appearances in Hacks and Fantasmas. When Mira opens her mouth to sing, you’re hearing the incredible vocals of Audrey Nuna, an acclaimed singer-songwriter known for her albums a liquid breakfast and TRENCH.
Ji-young Yoo as Zoey (Vocals by Rei Ami)
Rounding out HUNTR/X is Zoey, the youngest of the group and resident rapper, brought to life by Ji-young Yoo. As the only Korean American in the group, Zoey is figuring out where she fits in, all while being fiercely protective of her friends. Yoo explains, “She’s the only Korean American in the group and is really trying to figure out what that means and where she belongs. Feeling a little bit [like an outsider], she’s always providing ideas to seem irreplaceable — which she is. She just doesn’t necessarily know it herself.”
You might recognize Ji-young Yoo from Expats or Smoking Tigers. Providing Zoey’s sick rap and singing vocals is Rei Ami, a Seoul-born artist celebrated for her genre-bending music and her debut mixtape, FOIL.
The Saja Boys: Demons with a Beat
Every hero needs a villain, and KPop Demon Hunters delivers with The Saja Boys, a rival K-pop boy band who are, surprise, actual demons! And they’re led by a seriously charismatic bad boy.
Ahn Hyo-seop as Jinu (Vocals by Andrew Choi)
Ahn Hyo-seop steps into the role of Jinu, the Saja Boys’ lead singer and ultimate heartthrob. Jinu’s past is dark: he was once human but sold his soul for fame and musical talent. Hyo-seop explains, “A long time ago, Jinu made a very dangerous but life-changing decision in order to protect his family, and that choice led to suffering and being trapped in darkness with his soul under [Gwi-Ma’s] control. Despite all of that, I think Jinu still [hold] onto warmth and has a deep sense of love and curiosity about humanity. Ahn Hyo-seop is a big name in the K-drama world, known for Business Proposal and Dr. Romantic.”
But it’s Andrew Choi who lends his smooth singing voice to Jinu, a talented singer and composer who’s worked with many K-pop idols.
The Rest of the Saja Boys: More Than Meets the Eye
The Saja Boys are a whole package of sinister charm. Joel Kim Booster (from Fire Island) voices Romance Saja, the one with the iconic heart-shaped pink hair, with singing vocals by samUIL Lee. Alan Lee (known for Solo Leveling) plays the mysterious Mystery Saja, whose silver hair keeps his face hidden, with Kevin Woo of U-KISS fame providing the vocals.
And for the muscular Abby/Abs Saja, you’ve got YouTuber and voice actor Sungwon Cho, with Neckwav on vocals. Finally, the Saja Boys’ youngest, the rapper Baby Saja, is voiced by Danny Chung, a talented Korean American rapper and songwriter.
The Supporting Cast: Legends Stealing Scenes
The talent doesn’t stop with the idols and demons. KPop Demon Hunters brought in some serious heavy hitters to round out the world.
Lee Byung-hun as Gwi-Ma
The main villain, the ominous Gwi-Ma, is voiced by none other than Byung Hun Lee. If you saw Squid Game or Mr. Sunshine, you know Lee brings a certain gravitas to his roles, and Gwi-Ma is no exception. This being is a master manipulator, using others’ weaknesses to achieve his goal of world domination.
Yunjin Kim as Celine (Vocals by Lea Salonga)
Yunjin Kim, a fan favorite from Lost, voices Celine, a former K-pop star and demon hunter who now trains our heroes. She’s also Rumi’s adoptive mother, adding a deep emotional layer to the story. And here’s a fun fact for musical theater fans: the singing voice for Celine is none other than Broadway legend Lea Salonga! Yes, that Lea Salonga, the original Miss Saigon and voice of Disney princesses.
Ken Jeong as Bobby
Every K-pop group needs a dedicated manager, and HUNTR/X has Bobby, voiced by the hilarious Ken Jeong. Bobby’s loud, proud, and fiercely protective of his girls, even if he’s totally in the dark about their demon-hunting side hustle. Jeong, known for Community and The Masked Singer, brings his signature chaotic energy to the role.
Daniel Dae Kim as Healer Han
Making a brief but memorable appearance is Healer Han, a surprisingly perceptive ally, voiced by the always solid Daniel Dae Kim. From Lost to Hawaii Five-0, Kim’s voice adds a touch of familiar wisdom to the film.
KPop Demon Hunters is more than just a fun animated movie; it’s a showcase of incredible voice acting and musical talent, blending Korean mythology with the vibrant world of K-pop. What was your favorite performance in the movie? Let us know in the comments below!
