Cindy Rooy: Don't go hunting demons

Released on June 20, "K-Pop Demon Hunters" achieved remarkable worldwide popularity. It became Netflix's most-watched movie in its first three months (325+ million views), and its songs made Billboard's Hot Top 10."K-Pop Demon Hunters" (rated PG) is an animated story of three teens who lead double lives — a successful K-pop girl group and demon hunters. A rival boy band, the Saja Boys, suddenly appear, but they're secretly demons working for the demon ruler Gwi-Ma. Their goal is to steal the fans' souls. Gwi-Ma controls his subjects (with his voice in their ears) causing them to feel shame and hopelessness.Several reviewers think the movie and songs communicate the dangers of having idols, and show the unsuspecting ways evil, shame, guilt and greed can affect our lives. Dr. Becky at "Good Inside" thinks the movie's theme is dealing with guilt and shame, and her takeaway message is "you don't have to be perfect to be loved."This story blends contemporary K-pop culture with Korean mythology and folklore (concepts like Shamanism and Honmoon barrier). Religious viewpoints expressed concerns over the film's distorted portrayal of demons and spiritual warfare. Amid all the demonic fiction, I caught two truths: Demons fight for people's hearts and minds, and eventually all demons and their leader will be destroyed and suffer eternally.I watched "K-Pop Demon Hunters" twice, and noticed how it captivates viewers with its animation and catchy songs. While I acknowledge the positive and negative aspects of this film, my concern is for younger children who sometimes mix reality with fiction. Younger children dress as their cartoon heroes and pop stars, plus they imitate them. I don't want my grandchildren to pretend to be demon hunters, which was presented as being cool.One reviewer claimed this movie is nothing worse than Harry Potter or other magical shows. While magic wands/broomsticks and ugly monsters are easily acknowledged as fiction, demons wanting people's souls is not. A powerful "demon ruler" does exist in this world, known as Satan. And spiritual warfare is real. Moreover, this story subtly implies that killing demons is not only possible, but noble.Demons are evil angels — invisible, dangerous and more powerful than humans. Scripture records the event when seven sons of Sceva (Jewish priest) saw God's power through Paul, and tried to copy him and expel the evil spirit from a demon-possessed person. They said, "'In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.' The evil spirit answered them, 'Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?' Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding" (Acts 19:13-16).People are naive about the spirit world and the dark reality underneath some Halloween festivities. "Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8). The occult world isn't amusing or a game. Participating in cultic activities gives permission for evil spirits to enter the participants' lives with access to their minds and behavior. The Bible repeatedly warns against it (Leviticus 19:26,31; Deuteronomy 18:10-11; Revelation 22:15).Nevertheless, God is greater than every demon. When the Holy Spirit is indwelt in believers of Jesus, He will protect their souls from Satan and his followers. "…the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world" (1 John 4:4), and "But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one" (2 Thessalonians 3:3).I would prefer the storyline to use aliens or monsters instead of trivializing demons. My issue is that the spirit world is real, and encountering demons is truly a serious, scary experience. The story's subliminal takeaways can plant spiritually dangerous seeds in impressionable children. Even the title of this movie may open doors that should not be opened.Cindy Rooy is the author of the Bible study "Trusting God Through Troubles & Tears" and a contributing author in devotional books and magazines. Email her at cr4Him@gmail.com.