"Kpop Demon Hunters"—Characters Inspired by These Real Idols? The Visuals Say It All!
- Disha Paul
- Jun 25
- 3 min read
Netflix's latest animated release, Kpop Demon Hunters, has taken over the K-pop fandom with its action-packed story, vibrant visuals, and characters that feel strangely familiar.
While the film's creators have mentioned taking inspiration from various real-life K-pop idols, it's not easy to say that each character is based on a single artist. Instead, fans have noticed subtle similarities, making the film a fascinating blend of many iconic idols.
Director Maggie Kang revealed that the film's girl group, Huntrix, was inspired by popular acts like TWICE, BLACKPINK, and ITZY, while the Saja Boys were influenced by male groups such as BTS, TXT, ATEEZ, MONSTA X, and BIGBANG. Let’s take a closer look at each character and explore the K-pop references that fans believe shaped them.
Rumi – Inspired by BLACKPINK’s Jennie
Many fans see BLACKPINK's Jennie in Rumi's calm yet fierce leadership. Her dual personality, blending elegance and power, mirrors Jennie’s stage presence and fashion-forward style.
Rumi’s duality, soft yet fierce, elegant yet savage, perfectly reflects Jennie’s on-stage aura. Her outfit designs and solo scenes scream “Solo era meets Kill This Love.”
Jinu – Looks Straight Out of ASTRO’s Cha Eun Woo Era
The leader of the Saja Boys carries a graceful and composed aura. With his visuals and calm energy, fans can’t help but think of ASTRO’s Cha Eun Woo, especially during his "After Midnight" era.
Plus, their "Soda Pop" street performance scene? Feels like a love letter to ASTRO's elegant charm.
Mira – ITZY’s Yeji Is the Real-Life Counterpart?
Looking at Mira's sharp eyes, fierce energy, and athletic build, Yeji from ITZY might just be her real-life inspiration. From her intense expressions to her signature ponytail and bold styling, Mira gives off major Yeji vibes.
Zoey – Chaeryeong Energy with a Twist
With her cheerful and quirky energy, Zoey gives off a mix of TWICE’s Chaeyoung and ITZY’s Chaeryeong, too. Her movements are light, her presence adorable, and she has that fan-favourite underdog energy.
Baby Saja – Jimin’s Playful Charisma
This youngest member of the Saja Boys is full of playful charm. His adorable expressions, smooth moves, and energetic vibe remind fans of BTS’s Jimin, especially his boyish smile, mischievous glances, and dance style.
Abs Saja – ATEEZ’s San Energy All the Way
You know the guy with the abs and beastly moves? That’s Abs Saja, and fans believe he’s channeling none other than ATEEZ’s San. His fierce choreography, intense stare, and commanding energy scream “San in HALA HALA.”
No doubt, Abs Saja was made for the camera, just like San.
Pink Saja – ATEEZ’s Seonghwa in Anime Form
The quiet and elegant member of the Saja Boys with long lavender hair has fans pointing straight to ATEEZ’s Seonghwa. From his soft visuals to the flowy fashion and glowing aura, everything mirrors Seonghwa’s recent “BOUNCY” and “Crazy Form” eras.
He doesn’t need many lines—his presence alone steals the spotlight, just like Seonghwa.
Hidden Hair Saja Boy – A Nod to BIGBANG’s Daesung?
Hidden Hair Saja Boy – Though he doesn’t get much screen time, fans quickly linked this mysterious character to BIGBANG’s Daesung. His hairstyle, which hides one eye, resembles Daesung’s iconic look from earlier BIGBANG eras.
Final Thoughts
While it’s hard to confirm direct one-on-one idol inspirations, the creative team clearly took influence from multiple K-pop stars. The result is a film that feels both original and deeply rooted in K-pop culture.
With hit tracks like "Takedown" and the Saja Boys’ street performance of "Soda Pop", the movie is filled with moments that reflect the heart of K-pop.
Kpop Demon Hunter has sparked conversations across fan communities, with theories and comparisons still going viral. It’s a love letter to the genre that doesn’t copy but rather celebrates the spirit of the industry.
Which character do you think was the most inspired by a real-life K-pop idol? Did you spot any hidden references we missed? Share your thoughts in the comments, and let’s keep the discussion going!
Comments