As the lights turned off and the music kicked in, the library transformed from quiet rows of books into a K-pop stage as students slayed at the KPop Demon Hunters sing-along in the library Great Room on Tuesday, Oct. 21, during lunch.
Released in June of this year, KPop Demon Hunters, an animated musical fantasy film produced by Sony Pictures Animation and Netflix Animation, quickly became Netflix’s No. 1 non-English animated movie. The movie has reached much acclaim for its visuals, choreography, and its discography. Featuring multiple catchy K-pop with popular artists on vocals, KPop Demon Hunters’ selling point has been its soundtrack. The movie’s most popular songs include Golden, Takedown, and Soda Pop — all songs played at the library’s sing-along.
“I really liked how [the movie] fused K-pop and action fantasy and elevated it by inventive animation, an original soundtrack, and relatable themes of identity,” Huichan Jung ‘26 said. “[The songs] were very high quality. Songs like Golden, [the] Saja Boys [group], Soda Pop, and Your Idol were designed by top K-pop producers. I think that’s why [it’s] good. Its fan-driven success [with] vibrant animation and catchy songs made it incredibly rewatchable.”
This event demonstrated the intersection of East Asian and Western pop culture. It was a shared lively experience between students from diverse backgrounds as they united through music. The environment was electric, amplified by the music videos and lyrics projected on the screen. Every song received high engagement.
“This is really fun because I’m Korean and it’s part of my heritage,” Howell Wu ‘26. “I know all the words and I’m just here to spread Asian culture. It’s really spontaneous coming here with my friends.”
As lyrics appeared on the projector, students sang along enthusiastically. For many, K-pop was not a familiar concept, yet every attendee was humming or singing along. This mix of animation, sound, and community amplified all the energy in the room. The librarians put the lyrics on the screen and gave KPop Demon Hunters stickers and glow-in-the-dark trinkets to engage the crowd. Breaking the ice, the librarians encouraged students to sing, transforming a regular Tuesday lunch into a celebration of global pop culture.
“I loved singing with the rest of the [people]. It was exciting just because I could vibe with a lot of people who just really wanted to sing,” Hardik Aslesh Sura ‘26 said.
