K-Pop Demon Hunters

Yes I’m obsessed, no I’m not ashamed. And yes, you should be watching it too.

KPDH, no spoilers!

But first… Welcome back to the Grimoire Cafe!

It’s raining for the first time in weeks as you duck into The Grimoire today. Not a heavy rain, just a misty kind of drizzle through brights gray skies. The ever-present scent of coffee is accompanied by something greener today, slightly herby. It makes you wonder what Tini, The Grimoire’s devoted barista, has in store.
You aren’t the only one taking this first-rain opportunity to enjoy a coffee in the company of strangers today. Most tables are full, and all of the upholstered chairs are occupied by people who look glad to be there. Friends talk and laugh, some sit alone reading books, others are on their computers. The energy in the air is calm and peaceful, like the rain brings a certain sense of relief, even though it’s also the first sign of summer’s wind down.
Tini has her headphones on when she gives you a smile from behind the bar. “Enjoying the weather?”
“I’m not the only one, it seems,” you reply with a smile. “What are you listening to?”
“K-Pop. Such a bop, I can’t get enough.” She laughs. “But I’ve got passthrough on so I can still hear the cafe.”
“That explains today’s special, huh?” You read the board behind her. “Korean style cream latte?”
“It might have played a part,” she admits, adjusting her black apron. “Mildly sweet, just enough to let the coffee shine. I’m pulling espresso shots, though. No shade at instant coffee, but some of the Grimoire regulars might disown me.”
“I wouldn’t.”
“Of course not, because you’re not Vlad.”
You follow her glance to see the man in question nestled into his customary wingback chair, eyes closed. “Is he sleeping?”
“Nope. Special?”
He’s weird, but harmless. You have a feeling Tini wouldn’t let him stay if he were a threat. You smile at her. “Special.”
She cheers, then proceeds to dance while she whips cream.

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A few weeks ago, my ten-year-old daughter, K, told me with glee, “Mom, I’m watching a new movie and it’s really good!”

This is a big deal because, well, K is a creature of habit. If she loves something, she does it (and only it) and she rarely veers from that path. So when she tries a new thing, I tend to encourage that with praise. “Nice! It’s so great when trying something new leads to something new to love!”

A few days later, she decided to watch Netflix on the TV, instead of her phone (which she usually prefers.) I wasn’t paying much attention to what she was watching, but I caught snippets here and there as I came in and out of the room. And what I saw seemed kind of fun.

“What are you watching?”

“This is that movie I told you about! K-Pop Demon Hunters!”

Fun name. I thought back… “Wait, have you been watching this every morning?”

“Yep!” (Enraptured at the TV)

That tracks. Creature of habit, remember? So I watched a little more, asked some questions: “Whose that?” (Jinu). “Is he a bad guy?” (Yes, and no.) “Wait, are they a boy band?” (Yep!) “Oh, like a rival boy band?” (And demons.)

Wait, what? I hadn’t expected that.

So the next morning I asked to sit and watch with her. And ya’ll, that was it. I was hooked.

The story is laser-focused. It delivers backstory and world building with expert precision. The characters? Meaty, effortlessly fleshed out. The FMC’s arc? Fucking perfection!!!! The hook: hooky. The stakes: sharp AF–big and personal, and everything in between.

Women unabashedly consuming food and loving it? ✅

Women unabashedly ogling men without it meaning a damn thing? ✅

Plus the MMC is Tortured (capital T intentional)–my favorite kind. And the friendships are ride-or-die–my FAVE!

As someone who grew up on Sailor Moon, but always wished they’d take it just a little further into the darkness… KPDH scratched so many itches.

And I haven’t even gone into the music! Every damn song is a bop. (And they play on a loop in my head like all the time lol!)

This movie is such a breath fresh air.

But the music, and the story aren’t actually why I’m obsessed. They’re really good, they make the movie entertaining like WOW. But it’s the THEMES of the story that let K-Pop Demon Hunters live rent free in my head.

We’re shattering the silence, we’re rising, defiant
Shouting in the quiet, “You’re not alone”
We listened to the demons, we let them get between us
But none of us are out here on our own

So we were cowards, so we were liars
So we’re not heroes, we’re still survivors
The dreamers, the fighters, no lying, I’m tired
But dive in the fire, and I’ll be right here by your side

Like, hi. Anthem calling! Anyway, everything else I have to say about why I love this movie is a spoiler, and I promised I wouldn’t do that. But ya’ll, I can’t find anything wrong with this movie. I even like how it ends (iykyk, don’t @ me, I have reasons!)

Bottom line: if my disabled ten-year-old wants to watch K-Pop Demon Hunters every damn morning for the next year, I’m cool with that. Because a story championing self acceptance in the year 2025?

I’m fucking here for it.

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Tini’s take on a Korean Style Cream Latte

This recipe is adapted from the one found here: How To Make Cream Latte Korean Style by Nachhy PHNOK on YouTube.

You’ll need:

Add sugar to the whipping cream. Then, using a milk frother (or another method), froth the whipping cream until it thickens but doesn’t yet hold peaks. Set aside.

To a glass filled with ice, add milk, then half the whipped cream. carefully pour in the espresso shots. Then, top with the remaining whipped cream. Finally, a sprinkle of cocoa powder.

Enjoy!

As always, if you give this a try, comment and let me know how you liked it! And if you share on socials, tag me! @elle.beauregard.author, @ellbeauregard.bsky.social (and tag the YouTuber too! @nachhyphnok)

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