'K-Pop Demon Hunters' Sparks Global Interest, Educating on Historical Facts

Netflix's animated hit, 'K-Pop Demon Hunters,' is capturing global attention not only for its captivating entertainment but also for shedding light on historical truths.

A recent viral TikTok video featured a creator explaining that after watching 'K-Pop Demon Hunters' and researching Korean tigers, they discovered Japan systematically eradicated them during the colonial era. This post amassed 1.2 million views, 180,000 likes, and over 2,000 comments, igniting a fresh wave of discussions about Japan's past actions.

This narrative is rooted in historical fact. During the Japanese occupation of Korea, colonial authorities labeled the Korean tiger a 'harmful beast' and initiated systematic extermination campaigns starting in 1917.

Professor Seo Kyung-duk of Sungshin Women's University commented, "This isn't the first time streaming platforms have helped introduce Japan's colonial history to global audiences." He pointed to Apple TV+'s 'Pachinko,' which depicted forced labor and 'comfort women' experiences, and Netflix's 'Gyeongseong Creature,' which portrayed Unit 731's human experimentation in 1945.

"As Korean content achieves global success on OTT platforms, more international viewers are learning about Japan's colonial history," Seo added. "I hope for continued proliferation of K-content, so that Asia's history can be more widely understood worldwide."

Professor Seo Kyung-duk is renowned as a leading Korean publicity expert, actively promoting Korean culture and history internationally through various means, including advertisements on New York's Times Square billboards. His efforts to counter historical distortions, particularly regarding Japan's past, consistently draw significant attention.