My husband doesn’t get why I watched K-Pop Demon Hunters three times. “It’s just a cartoon,” he says. No. It’s a cultural phenomenon that just won a Golden Globe. And if you want to understand what’s happening, you need to know these terms.
Why This Movie Is Everywhere
K-Pop Demon Hunters (케이팝 데몬 헌터스, keipap demon heonteos) - or 케데헌 (kedeoheon) as Koreans call it - became the most-watched Netflix original ever. The animated film follows HUNTR/X, a K-pop girl group who secretly fight demons.
But here’s the thing: the movie is packed with real K-pop culture terms. If you don’t know them, you’re missing half the story.
1. 선배/후배 (Sunbae/Hoobae) - Senior/Junior
선배 (seonbae) = Senior (someone who debuted before you) 후배 (hubae) = Junior (someone who debuted after you)
This hierarchy is EVERYTHING in K-pop. In the movie, HUNTR/X are the 선배, and the Saja Boys are their 후배. That means the demon boys technically owe respect to our girls.
Spoiler: They don’t show it.
My experience: This hierarchy is real in Korean workplaces too. When I started my first job, I had to pour drinks for my 선배 at company dinners. It’s just how things work here.
2. 막내 (Maknae) - Youngest Member
막내 (maknae) = The youngest member of the group
Every K-pop group has a 막내, and they usually get babied by everyone else. In HUNTR/X, that’s Zoey - full of chaotic energy and protected by her unnies.
The 막내 often:
- Gets teased the most
- Is expected to be cute
- Can get away with more
3. 응원봉 (Eungwonbong) - Light Stick
응원봉 (eungwonbong) = Official fan light stick
Every fandom has their own custom-designed light stick. During concerts, thousands of fans wave them in sync, turning the arena into a sea of coordinated lights.
In K-Pop Demon Hunters, the light sticks aren’t just merchandise - they’re literally weapons against demons. Which honestly? Makes total sense to any K-pop fan. We’d fight for our idols.
4. 애교 (Aegyo) - Cute Behavior
애교 (aegyo) = Acting cute on purpose
This is when idols do exaggerated cute expressions, baby voices, or heart gestures for their fans. The animation in 케데헌 goes ALL OUT with this - glowing cheeks, sparkly eyes, the works.
When idols do 애교:
- Fan meetings
- Variety shows
- When they want something from their members
(Translation: “Aegyo master for real”)
5. 비주얼 (Bijueol) - Visual
비주얼 (bijueol) = The member known for their stunning looks
This is an actual official position in many K-pop groups. The 비주얼 often:
- Gets the most close-up shots in music videos
- Is positioned center during photo ops
- Becomes the “face” of the group
In HUNTR/X, Mira is the 비주얼. You’ll notice she gets the dramatic wind-in-hair moments.
6. 최애 (Choeae) - Bias
최애 (choeae) = Your favorite member (literally “most loved”)
Every K-pop fan has a 최애. It’s the member you’re drawn to most, whose photos fill your phone, whose merchandise you buy first.
The internet is FIGHTING over 최애 in 케데헌:
| Character | Why Fans Choose Them |
|---|---|
| Rumi | Main character energy, relatable struggles |
| Mira | 비주얼, elegant demon-slaying style |
| Zoey | 막내 chaos, comedic timing |
My experience: I refuse to choose. Every time someone asks my 최애, I panic and say “all of them.” My niece says that’s cheating.
7. 음악 방송 (Eumak Bangsong) - Music Show
음악 방송 (eumak bangsong) = TV music programs where idols perform and compete
Shows like Music Bank, Inkigayo, and M Countdown are where K-pop groups perform their latest songs and compete for weekly #1. Winning is a HUGE deal.
In the movie, HUNTR/X performs on these shows while secretly exhausted from fighting demons all night. The dedication is too real.
8. 응원법 (Eungwonbeop) - Fan Chant
응원법 (eungwonbeop) = The official fan chant for a song
These are scripted chants that fans memorize and shout during performances. Usually includes:
- Member names at specific moments
- Call-and-response parts
- Key phrases from the song
Real K-pop fans practice these like homework. During the concert scenes in 케데헌, you can hear the animated crowd doing proper 응원법.
Quick Reference
| Korean | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 선배 | seonbae | Senior |
| 후배 | hubae | Junior |
| 막내 | maknae | Youngest member |
| 응원봉 | eungwonbong | Light stick |
| 애교 | aegyo | Cute behavior |
| 비주얼 | bijueol | Visual (pretty member) |
| 최애 | choeae | Bias (favorite) |
| 음악 방송 | eumak bangsong | Music show |
| 응원법 | eungwonbeop | Fan chant |
My Experience
I grew up with K-pop. My first concert was TVXQ when I was in middle school. So watching 케데헌 felt like seeing my entire teenage life animated on screen.
What surprised me was how accurately they portrayed the industry - the 선배/후배 dynamics, the pressure to always show 애교, the exhaustion behind the perfect performances. This movie gets it.
My toddler now points at the TV and tries to copy Zoey’s dance moves. The 막내 energy is contagious apparently.
Next in This Series
This is Part 1 of our K-Pop Demon Hunters Korean series:
- Part 1: K-Pop Idol Terms (You’re here!)
- Part 2: Supernatural & Mythology Terms - 퇴마, 무당, and Korean shamanism
- Part 3: Memes & Fan Reactions - 케데헌, 자본주의 하체, and more
Sources: Netflix Tudum, 나무위키