Korea Stole It Again – Chinese Netizens Slam Global Hit “K-Pop Demon Hunters” for Cultural Theft

While K-Pop Demon Hunters tops Netflix’s global chart, a wave of criticism from Chinese netizens is stirring fresh controversy.

The animated film, which blends Korean pop culture with fantasy, has become a global sensation since its release. However, some viewers from China have taken to social media, accusing the film of cultural appropriation, claiming it “stole from Chinese heritage.”

According to Chinese-language media outlets like Sohu News, a number of netizens argued that the show features elements “belonging to China,” such as traditional clothing, palace architecture, traditional motifs, and even herbal medicine references. One user claimed, “Is Korea not even trying to hide their cultural plagiarism anymore? This is clearly Chinese.”

Another pointed fingers at Sony, which co-produced the film, saying they were complicit in helping Koreans “steal” Chinese culture.

Comments like “Too many cultural thieves”, “All the traditional knots are clearly Chinese”, and “This is sickening cultural theft” flooded social media, despite the film being presented as distinctly Korean. Some even criticized the animation quality and plot, calling it “cheap, boring trash” and mocking the male character’s appearance.

Yet, not all feedback was negative. Some viewers praised the film as “a rare animated gem”, with others saying “The sisters are cool, and the music is great” and “While the story is simple, the soundtrack is engaging.”

Interestingly, Netflix is not officially available in China, meaning most of these viewers likely accessed the film illegally. This adds another layer to the irony, as many of the harshest critics were not watching through authorized platforms.

Despite the backlash, K-Pop Demon Hunters is thriving. According to streaming analytics site FlixPatrol, the film ranked #1 globally on June 22 with a viewership score of 771, well ahead of second place Straw (609).

It currently holds the top spot in 26 countries, including Korea, the U.S., the U.K., France, Germany, Australia, and Japan, and made the Top 10 in 93 countries overall.

The animated feature follows Rumi, Mi-ra, and Zoey, three K-pop superstars who secretly fight evil offstage, blending vibrant performance with a supernatural twist—an ambitious mix that’s resonating with audiences worldwide, despite the cultural criticisms.