School Bans Students from Singing K-Pop “Demon Hunters” Songs

A school in Dorset has told parents that students are not allowed to sing songs from the Netflix film KPop Demon Hunters because some people in the community feel the lyrics clash with the school’s Christian values.

Lilliput Church of England Infant School in Poole sent a message to parents last Friday, saying that some families were “deeply uncomfortable” with references to demons in the film’s songs. The school explained that these references are linked to “spiritual forces opposed to God and goodness.”

Acting head teacher Lloyd Allington gave an update on Monday, saying he had received messages from parents who pointed out that the songs also include positive messages. He added that the school wanted to support students whose families might find the themes challenging.

KPop Demon Hunters, which became Netflix’s most-watched film ever in August, follows a fictional K-pop girl group called Huntr/x. The characters fight demons while balancing their music careers. The story also features a rival group, the Saja Boys, who are secretly demons, and some of their songs touch on themes like temptation and seduction.

The school asked parents to encourage their children “not to sing these songs at school out of respect for those who find the themes at odds with their faith.”

One parent told the BBC that he thought the decision was over the top. He said his daughter and her friends love K-pop and often perform songs in after-school clubs. “It’s just a harmless, a nice little thing for them to do to get their confidence up,” he said. He added that, as an atheist, he felt the ban was “a bit of an imposition and probably a bit unfair and silly.”

Mr Allington also noted that songs like the film’s 10-week UK number one single, Golden, have helped children learn about teamwork, courage, and kindness. He said, “While we fully respect your right to make choices about the content your child engages with at home, we also want to be mindful of the diversity of beliefs within our school community.”

He continued, “For some Christians, references to demons can feel deeply uncomfortable because they associate them with spiritual forces opposed to God and goodness.” He added, “We are not asking parents to tell their children that there is anything wrong with enjoying the film or its songs if it aligns with your own views and beliefs. Our role will simply be to help children understand that some of their peers may hold different views and to explore how we can respect and support those peers in upholding their faith.”

KPop Demon Hunters was released on Netflix on June 20, and a sing-along version of the film had limited theatrical releases later that year. The movie became a cultural phenomenon, praised for its animation, music, and storytelling.

It set records for Netflix, becoming the most-watched original film in the platform’s history with 325 million views. The soundtrack also achieved major success, with four songs reaching the Billboard Hot 100 top ten and receiving five Grammy nominations.

The film, directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, tells a story inspired by Korean culture, blending mythology, demon lore, and K-pop. A sequel is planned for release in 2029.

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