A Netflix animated hit that dances to the right soundtrack.

“KPop Demon Hunters” is another animated hit I overlooked this year, but has become popular, after “Ne Zha 2.” Only differences are this one is a Netflix movie. And because of its decision to give it a Sing Along release theatrically, it has become the streaming service’s first film to top the weekend box office. No help from AMC due to their policy of not sharing Netflix movies in their theaters. So, I had to see what all the fuss was about, and I’m glad I got another chance to see it.

Also distributed by Sony Pictures Animation, this movie channels on the success of the “Spider-Verse” movie with its stylized animation. And it some aspects, it does channel a little on the success of “Frozen” with its main heroine expressing her pathos through song and how to embrace herself.

The K-pop group of the movie is Huntr/x-consisting of the lead vocalist Rumi (voiced by Arden Cho), the visual artist Mira (voiced by May Hong), and the rapper and lyricist Zoey (voiced by Ji-young Yoo)-who are major hits with fans worldwide, but are secretly demon hunters. If they’re late for a big show, it’s not because they’re spoiled, and they’re not. It’s because their flight attendants are demons in disguise. They’ll be on stage shortly.

Their latest rival are a K-pop boy group-the Saja Boys-whose abs are enough to turn Mira and Zoey’s eyes into corn and have them tear popcorn. Unknown to their fans and known to Huntr/x, they’re all sent by the king of demons- Gwi-Ma (voiced by Lee Byung-hun) to destroy them for good.

However, Rumi and the Saja Boys leader Juni (voiced by Ann Hyo-seop) are both lead singers on opposite sides of the coin who are not without their demons. And I suppose that’s how they’re both able to connect and separate at the same time.

“KPop Demon Hunters” does goof off from time to time, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be funny and charming, because it is. But it’s mostly visually appealing and showstopping, and it takes more risks than “Smurfs” did. Unlike that film, this one doesn’t over exploit singers and their music for commercial appeal. It uses the genre to express its own voice, and merges quite well with the supernatural world.

I admire the hair styles of Huntr/x, as well as their voices, personalities, and expressions, and the stylized animation is patient and stunning. We may get some better known supporting actors in the mix-like Ken Jeong as their lovable manager, Daniel Dae Kim as an eccentric doctor (whose eyes bug out when he examines them), and Byung-hun-but the movie doesn’t use their names to promote this movie. Cho, Hong, Yoo (who I just enjoyed in “Freaky Tales” last Spring), and Hyo-seop are universally excellent, and their characters are as entertaining as they are consistent.

The director Maggie Kang, who made it with Chris Appelhans, made this animated feature to express her Korean culture and heritage, as well as some mythology and demonology. And these two filmmakers express those elements through the power of music and animation.

I acknowledge that “KPop Demon Hunters” and “Ne Zha 2” are taken from different countries in East Asia, and are able to appeal to movie-goers worldwide. They have their own sense of style, emotions, and energy, while possessing relatable qualities. They respectively want their characters to express themselves with the same human feelings, and we believe in them.

I apologize if I’m late with this review, too, but I’m glad summer isn’t over and I can see it with the same kind of spirit you had earlier. I’m not K-pop expert, but I think this movie knows a lot about them and the genre Huntr/x is placed in.

Now Streaming on Netflix