With all the excitement surrounding Netflix’s latest #1 hit movie,KPop Demon Hunters, it’s inevitable for a number of viewers to finally decide to dip their toes into K-Popmusic. The genre plays a major role in the movie, which includes a powerful girl group fighting back against a boy group made up entirely of demons.
If you’ve found yourself humming “Soda Pop” by the Saja Boys or dancing around your kitchen to “TAKEDOWN” by HUNTR/X, you might be thinking it’s time for you to see what the K-Pop genre is all about. Luckily, the majority of the sounds and themes in the movie weredirectly inspired by some of the biggest groups and idolsthat areperfect for K-Pop beginners.
Whether you’re dead-set on aligning yourself with the feminine power of K-Pop’s finest girl groups or are willing to fall under the spell of the endlessly endearing boy groups, one of the eight groups listed below should fit the bill.
8IVE
Golden Vocals & Feminine Power
As soon as the chorus of “Golden” took flight, its comparison to “I AM” by six-member girl group IVE practically wrote itself. The soaring vocals and encouraging lyrics speak to the ability of each group to touch on exactly what their listeners are thinking about.
Since their debut,IVE have been consistent in their delivery of grand yet accessible title tracksaccompanied by stunning B-sides that round out each release. Their vocal tones compliment one another perfectly, and their styling and music videos have always impressed viewers inside and outside their fandom. IVE is a perfect place to start for any new K-Pop fan.
7BTS
Undeniably Enchanting Rap & Vocal Ability
It wouldn’t be an authentic list of K-Pop recommendations without BTS. The seven-member Grammy-nominated boy group is often seen as an obvious starting point for anyone new to the genre due toBTS' expansive discographythat offers something for everyone. From their fully-English tracks to their rap-driven deep cuts, you’re going to want to do more than scratch the surface of BTS' music.
Not only is vocalist and youngest member Jungkook the perfect likeness to Jinu, butrapper Sugahas both the fluffy hair and deep tone to compare him to Baby Saja.There’s a little bit of every BTS member within each Saja Boy, which just goes to show how important their impact on K-Pop is.
6TWICE
Global Powerhouse Deservingly Featured In The Film
The first K-Pop group viewers ofKPop Demon Huntersare likely to dive into is TWICE. The globally successful girl group has beena staple in K-Pop for almost a decade, so it’s only natural that they had the honor of being featured on the movie’s soundtrack twice. With their signature vocals, catchy choruses, and addictive choreography, you can’t go wrong.
They don’t show any signs of slowing down anytime soon.
The spirit of HUNTR/X and their mission to keep their fans safe is something that’s easily represented within TWICE’s exceptional career. Even as their 10th anniversary approaches, and they continue to embark on solo journeys, they don’t show any signs of slowing down anytime soon.
5ATEEZ
Hypnotizing Stage Presence & Fan Chants
If you’re looking for a K-Pop group that leans into the darker tone of “Your Idol,” look no further than ATEEZ. The eight-member boy group’sTHE WORLDalbum trilogy tackled the effects of corrupt government and what it means to fight back in their fictional universe full of dystopian lore complicated enough for any fan ofThe Hunger Gamestrilogy to sink their teeth into.
While the Saja Boys lure fans in with their chants and hypnotic choreography in “Your Idol,“ATEEZ has no trouble getting their fans to chant along with themin songs like “HALAZIA” and “Guerrilla” at tour stops all around the world. If TWICE keeps the honmoon intact, ATEEZ has already broken it. Don’t be fooled though, they know how to deliver a refreshing concept as well.
4BLACKPINK
The Clear Blueprint For HUNTR/X’s Sound
It goes without saying thatBLACKPINK is perfect for anyone who can’t stop streaming HUNTR/X’s songs. Anyone familiar with the record-breaking girl group might even recognize Jennie as the perfect comparison to the movie’s protagonist, Rumi. She’s even wearing the same long braid that Jennie has in the “Kill This Love” music video.
Jennie is the perfect comparison to the movie’s protagonist, Rumi.
Like HUNTR/X, the members of BLACKPINK are very different individuals who come together to form one of the most powerful girl groups in the world. The only difference between the two seems to be the number of members.
3MONSTA X
A Decade’s Worth Of Eye-Popping Performances
MONSTA X falls into a category that lies somewhere between “Soda Pop” and “Your Idol.” They have all theboyish charm that makes a boy group popular while also never shying away from the mature sideof their music and choreography. In an industry where the majority of active idols are too young to obtain a driver’s license, fans long for a group like MONSTA X.
After they posted a video to their Instagram of them dancing to “Your Idol” in similar outfits to the characters, it was inevitable that they’d end up on this list. Their music is enough to get anyone hooked, but the cherry on top is that the Saja Boys' rappers sound a lot like I.M., MONSTA X’s youngest member.
2EVERGLOW
An Underrated Girl Power Group
The music created by K-Pop girl groups is incredibly diverse. While a majority of them tended to lean into either a softer sound or something more sensual and mature, EVERGLOW introduced the genre’s fourth-generation toa grittier style that was largely reserved just for boy groups.
While it’s undeniable that HUNTR/X’s sound is pulled from BLACKPINK’s bombastic instrumentals and unapologetic attitude, there is also a clear similarity to EVERGLOW. Songs like “DUN DUN” and “FIRST” sound like they could’ve been performed by the fictional girl group in the midst of battle or while giving their fans the performance of a lifetime.
1ASTRO
Boyish Charm Is In Their DNA
There are plenty of K-Pop boy groups who emulate the perfect boyish attitude in their music and performances, but no one does that quite like ASTRO. From the moment they debuted in 2016, they had the charming yet shy persona down to a science,luring fans in with their bright smiles and innocent demeanor.
If any group is going to be compared to the allure of the Saja Boys during their “Soda Pop” performance, it has to be ASTRO. They’re a group that’s always been slightly underrated compared to their third-generation peers, but anyone looking for good music and infectious personalities knows that ASTRO is the one for you.
