Which cultural tradition influenced the demon hunters’ use of song in KPop Demon Hunters?

Korean shamanism influenced the demon hunters’ use of song in KPop Demon Hunters.

The filmmakers drew on Korean shamanic traditions in which song and dance can form part of ritual practice. The movie transforms that idea into a fantasy system: the hunters use their voices as a supernatural defense against demons.

This influence is part of Maggie Kang’s broader intention to make the film a love letter to K-pop and to her Korean background. The story also incorporates Korean mythology and demonology, rather than treating the supernatural setting as a generic Western fantasy world.

The influence does not mean that HUNTR/X are presented as historical shamans. They are fictional modern idols whose performances become magical through the film’s fantasy rules. Their costumes, choreography, and songs combine contemporary K-pop presentation with older cultural references.