The movie has been wildly successful.
Koreaboo
The recently released KPop Demon Hunters has been a smash success, remaining a hot topic even more than a week after its release.
As with all media, fans have taken extra steps to learn what is beyond the film, including the voices behind the characters. This has also extended to the characters’ inspiration, with fans tracking down mentions of specific idols as inspiration for the film.
Who Are The Real Singers Behind HUNTR/X?— Meet The “KPop Demon Hunters” Vocalists
In particular, the topic of the inspiration behind the movie’s lead character, Rumi, has been hotly discussed, with many comparisons to BLACKPINK‘s Jennie arising. This was only further fueled by rumors that Jennie was most often mentioned when talking about the character’s design by the team behind the film.
JENNIE was mentioned as a reference for one of the characters in Netflix’s new film ‘K-Pop Demon Hunters’.
“This is what I heard directly from the director during a private meeting — apparently, one of the girl group members in K-Pop Demon Hunters was referencing JENNIE quite a… pic.twitter.com/3ZIgt5gqWu
— Pop Core (@TheePopCore) June 21, 2025
The film’s director, Maggie Kang, recently addressed the discussion of Rumi’s inspiration and earned criticism.
On a tweet that attributed Rumi’s inspiration solely to Jennie, Kang stated that numerous female leading ladies, both inside and outside K-Pop, had influenced the character. She also noted that the inspiration for both HUNTR/X and Saja Boys was “endless.” She also understood why viewers ran with what was mentioned in interviews.
Rumi was inspired by many leading ladies, some not even K-Pop. Names are going around (individual idols + groups) bc we only said “yes” as they were mentioned by interviewer to us but list of inspo for both Huntr/x & Saja Boys is endless. This has been clarified by us to press. https://t.co/snwLnySgrG
— Maggie Kang (@maggiemkang) June 27, 2025
Honestly, the interviews are not enough to name everyone so they are running with what was only said, which I get but it’s only part of the story
— Maggie Kang (@maggiemkang) June 27, 2025
Many fans of Jennie saw this in a negative light, accusing the film of using Jennie’s name (and other idols’) for clout.
so they were using Jennie, Eunwoo, Jimin and other kpop idols for clout all these time to make sure the movie won’t be a flop, oh these insufferable people…. https://t.co/2aAcnzI0l5
— SOLF (@JJRL_balletic) June 28, 2025
we are so fucking tired of this bs happening every single time,it was YOUR team and people involved in the movie namedropping Jennie and BP and they still do,you even gave thanks to media who said the group was “blackpink-esque” and didnt correct it back then😭u pathetic truly https://t.co/7Q6pOVvY8S pic.twitter.com/B7OB7NZsQP
— . (@fixingmess) June 28, 2025
This is so unprofessional of you @maggiemkang , what about the other characters? Especially the boys? But you only wanted to specify Rumi cuz you want clout over that movie, while JENNIE is the one getting hate by different fandoms. pic.twitter.com/lKi1FrR6s0
— ✧ (@mndublinkk) June 28, 2025
Dam I hope Jennie sue you all for using her and now saying sh!t like this under her post but you won’t see this person quote others post.. not gonna lie I watched this movie since they mentioned Jennie first.. https://t.co/O9TZmkVlvV pic.twitter.com/oQ29RhcKtj
— LIKE JENNIE (@Jenniestanielov) June 28, 2025
On the other hand, many did not find issues with what Director Kang said, defending her from the criticism.
everyone saying her design was inspired by one individual has noooooo idea how character design works, im sure theres 10+ references for her at MINIMUM https://t.co/dAuoWG6aJM
— 🦋 (@covergirlnayeon) June 28, 2025
why are people acting like she denied jennie was an inspiration when she’s only saying its inspired by more than 1 person that’s totally valid https://t.co/oNTHARalaB
— ✌🏻 (@likejenruby) June 29, 2025
kpop stans are fucking losers. yall are starting fanwars over fictional characters now and dismissing the director’s 9 year long work just bc it doesnt fit your narrative.. lmao?? https://t.co/j80L2IZSGi
— sera (@acheronesque) June 28, 2025
KPop Demon Hunters is available for streaming on Netflix.
