What KPOP Demon Hunters Taught Me About Shame

It’s funny what the Lord can teach you when you are paying attention.

By now, even if you haven’t seen the movie, I’m sure that your feeds are blowing up about the new Netflix original movie, “KPOP Demon Hunters.” I watched it two days ago while I was laying on my couch sick and I have to say, it is 100% worth the hype. The art style, the music, the characters, and the plot are all on point. I truly did not expect to be one of the ones with the music playlist on repeat.

For those of you haven’t seen it, I’ll fill you in (stop reading now and watch it for yourself if you don’t want it spoiled for you!!). The KPOP girl band, Huntr/x, are actually part of a long line of demon hunters that use their voices to seal the barrier between the human world and the demon world (the Honmoon). What two of the band members don’t realize is that their lead singer is part demon and bears the patterns that comes with being one. To defeat them, the “king” of demons allows a group of boy demons to pose as a KPOP boy band, the SAJA boys, in order to steal the fans from HUNTR/X – which are the key to keeping the barrier intact.

As the movie progresses, Rumi (our half demon, half hunter girly) and Jinu (our lead SAJA boy) connect over her patterns. Jinu desperately wants to forget and be free of memories from his past to abandon his family 400 years ago, ultimately sealing his fate as a demon (he was human first). He explains to Rumi that demons aren’t emotionless and that all they do is feel. Specifically, that they never escape the shame and guilt of all that they’ve done. He points out that Rumi’s patterns spread because she chooses (and is forced) to hide half of who she really is. She hides all of her fears and shame.

Now, I’m not sure about the theology behind demons feeling things, but that isn’t the truth that I’m struck by in this movie. I also don’t think that this movie has a Christian theme or underpinning on purpose, but as a believer I can see it pretty clearly.

We all have things that we have said or done that have caused us shame. Every single one of us deals with the fear and guilt of those around seeing our “dark sides.” We do everything we can to keep them from seeing our flaws, scars, and “patterns.” We walk around believing that if we’re good enough or do enough, then it will wash away the shame we feel about our choices. Unlike Rumi, we don’t have patterns that spread the more we try to hide our shame. But we suffer all the same.

In our shame, we are the most vulnerable. The movie recognizes this as well because the tactic used to take down Rumi (as well as lure more humans to their death) is to expose their shame and use it against them. Satan is no different in his approach. He uses our shame to gain a foothold in our minds. He whispers lies in our ears that convince us that we are unforgiveable, unlovable, and that no one will ever understand (1Peter 5:8). Shame is one of his most powerful tools in his fight against the Lord. I believe this is why it’s the second sin we see in scripture (Genesis 3:7). First, Adam and Eve believe that they are on the same playing field as God by eating the apple (pride). Then, they suddenly realize that they are naked, cover themselves with leaves, and hide (shame). Shame causes us to hide from the One who created us in the first place.

In the movie, Rumi finally accepts herself for who she is and is honest with those around her. Her friends come alongside her and they create a new protective barrier that is founded on truth instead of lies. While I don’t think that the answer to our shame as believers is to work on accepting ourselves (this is different than being content in who we’ve been created to be), I do think there’s a lot to be said for being honest. When we bring our shame into the light, when we tell the truth, it can no longer be used by satan to attack us. There is redemption in confession and vulnerability.

The only One that can free us from our shame is the One that died to save us. Jesus sees us completely. He knows what we carry, what we hide, what we wish was never part of our story. He sees all of it. We find freedom when we believe in The Truth – that Jesus Christ came to earth as a man, lived a perfect life, and then was crucified on a cross for the sin that we could never atone for. Shame has no place at the foot of the cross. Your patterns are welcome here.