K-Pop Demon Hunters: For the fans by Angela Song, adapter

Not a having seen the film and after flicking through what reads like a stageplay program, we learn it is based on the Netflix screenplay by Danya Jimenez & Hannah McMechan and Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans; and the film Directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans

First, the sets of the drama are described and between them a magical barrier - the Honmoon. The Honmoon separates the human world and the demon world. Very quickly we’re introduced to the protectors of the Honmoon, the demon slayers. As main characters, we understand Zoey, Mira and Rumi are also the members of the famous K-Pop band, the Huntr/x. Minor cast members come next – Healer Han the band’s manager, Bobby, Celine and more. 

Enter the bad guys with the mandatory complication. We are introduced to rival K-Pop boy band members, the charasmatic Saja Boys, who are far more successful in bewitching fans because Jinu, the lead singer, is really a Demon. He has been tasked by the Gwi-ma to destroy the Honmoon. Very quickly we are told succinctly what happens next and the fate of the human world.  

Little Golden Books can only hope to be abridged versions and spark interest in their readers imaginations. One can’t be certain if this title is meant to be a souvenir story for those who have already seen the film?  It certainly doesn’t pretend to be more than a book-from-a-movie title rather than the other way around.

The stylized manga illustrations didn’t resonate with at least two primary school film fans despite being of the type designed to woo with the cuteness of large eyes and skulls.  Perhaps the adaptation missed the mark with them because the original film is aleady an appealing classic animated movie? Perhaps my Huntr/x teachers were simply a little older than the Little Golden Book target market?

There's no doubt this version, an official abridged storybook and a collectible item, is one which K-Pop Demon Hunters fans of all ages will enjoy inspecting over and over again.  Ages 7-Adult.  

Themes: magic, music, bands, pop culture.

Deborah Robins