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Any Huntrix stans here?
All images c/o Netflix

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I thought KPop Demon Hunters was going to be a cringefest. But two things had me looking forward to it – I like animated features and my ult girl group TWICE. I went in with caution and came out, like most of the people who have seen it, obsessed. 

As of writing, the animated feature produced by Sony Pictures Animation and streamed on Netflix, is already the number one streamed movie in over 20 countries. 

The songs featured in the movie – which are all absolute bangers – are also charting on the Spotify Global chart. 

So, yes. This little musing is rather late. But I wanted to make sure KPop Demon Hunters occupied some space in our little website. 

KPOP DEMON HUNTERS – When they aren’t selling out stadiums, Kpop superstars Rumi, Mira and Zoey use their secret identities as badass demon hunters to protect their fans from an ever-present supernatural threat. Together, they must face their biggest enemy yet – an irresistible rival boy band of demons in disguise. ©2025 Netflix

I’ve already shared on social media what I briefly thought about the movie. Here’s the sentiment: 

I thoroughly enjoyed KPop Demon Hunters. 

It has the magic of 2000s-2010s Pixar with a decidedly K-Culture coating. Animation & Art Style also feels fresh. 

All the songs are absolute bangers. Plus, of course, there’s TWICE Jeongyeon, Jihyo, and Chaeyoung singing “Take Down.”

Now I shall attempt to expound. 

KPop… Demon Hunters???

KPOP DEMON HUNTERS – (L-R) Zoey (voice by JI-YOUNG YOO), Rumi (voice by ARDEN CHO) and Mira (voice by MAY HONG) . ©2025 Netflix

The movie’s title doesn’t exactly inspire confidence that this would be any good. Why? For one, KPop and K-Culture in general has been on a fever pitch since around 2019-2020. The rise in interest in the whole K-Wave appeared like it was Netflix just trying to capitalize on it. 

But that was quickly allayed, at least for me, during the obligatory lore dump at the start of the film. Essentially, the KPop Demon Hunters have been around for generations. They protect the people from demons both through their music and through actual magical-girl combat– weapons and all. 

This whole premise has gone viral with some ONCEs (fans of TWICE) saying the reason the group’s been active for a decade now is because they’re our KPop Demon Hunters.

Anyway, after the lore dump. I was all in. It just made sense. I grew up listening to stories of music playing a role in some sort of unseen battle between good and evil. It’s a tale as old as time and has probably different versions of it in different countries and regions. 

Then, there’s the whole demon boy band thing. There has always been talk that The Devil uses music to lure people into. Tempt them to snatch their souls. That’s also a tale that’s been passed down from generations and is present in multiple cultures. 

The premise was solid. The presentation was pristine. And yes, again, I was all in. 

Animation and art style 

What I didn’t know coming in was that this was a Sony Pictures Animation production. If the Spider-Verse franchise is any indication, they sure know what they’re doing in this department. 

KPop Demon Hunters’ animation is unlike anything we’ve seen before from major, mainstream productions. The general look is very anime-inspired but in 3D or 2.5D or something of the sort. 

KPOP DEMON HUNTERS – (L-R) Rumi (voice by ARDEN CHO), Zoey (voice by JI-YOUNG YOO) and Mira (voice by MAY HONG) . ©2025 Netflix

The expressions our protagonists, the Huntrix, make are extremely expressive. And the whole film is bursting with color – definitely something that’s very KPop. 

I don’t have much to say here except that it feels very fresh and not something that’s been done before. The overall look feels new but also familiar and that certainly contributed to it being such a huge hit. 

Banger songs 

Like I mentioned earlier, my main hook for even wanting to check this out was that three members of TWICE were tapped to perform the film’s main theme “Take Down.”

The three members are (in age order which is how they prefer to be introduced) Jeongyeon, Jihyo, and Chaeyoung (my bias wrecker). 

The three appeared in plenty of promotions for the film too. But the lyric video of “Take Down” felt especially nice because it showed the three posing as if they were actually the Huntrix. 

But “Take Down” is just one of many tracks that are all absolute bangers. And each one was perfect for when they were used. 

“How It’s Done” showed off how the girls fought demons.

“Soda Pop” is a super catchy introduction to the demon boyband “Saja Boys”. It also absolutely pops off in Filipino/Tagalog.

“Golden” is a heartfelt, triumphant theme.

“Your Idol” is a dark, very in theme, song about idols snatching souls.

“What It Sounds Like” is an anthemic solemn hype track.

And, my personal favorite, “Free” displays different kinds of yearning that absolutely touches your soul. 

It’s no wonder that all the original tracks are currently charting on the Spotify Global chart. They’re all well-made and sound great on their own. But they’re also elevated by the circumstances in which they were played on the film. 

Listen to the full album:

Watch KPop Demon Hunters 

If you haven’t already, you should definitely watch KPop Demon Hunters. It has all the elements of a fantastic animated feature wrapped in K-Culture coating.

I haven’t even been able to touch on the excellent voice performances by Arden Cho (Teen Wolf, Partner Track) as Rumi and Ahn Hyo Seop (Business Proposal, Dr. Romantic) as Jinu as well as the other stand performances.

There’s just so much to love about the film. It’s also extremely rewatchable in different dubs too. I’ve so far seen the English (original), Filipino, and Japanese versions. They’re all fantastic.

It doesn’t hurt that overall, it’s really just one hour and 35 minutes of a damn good time.

Oh and there’s Derpy. We all love Derpy.

 

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KPop Demon Hunters streams on Netflix.

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Soundtrack for the city: HIDDEN.NY x AIAIAI TMA-2 headphones

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January 28, 2026

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Living in a big city like New York makes you want to have music on a lot: on the subway, walking between meetings, sitting in a café with your laptop, zoning out on a long walk home, or romanticizing the smallest things. Headphones have become an essential part of my life.

That’s why the HIDDEN.NY x AIAIAI collaboration makes sense. The TMA-2 HIDDEN Edition headphones are reminiscent of early-2000s tech. It’s nostalgic but with New York City character, at least the kind that I encounter and not the one you see in movies.

If you follow either brand, the partnership feels natural. HIDDEN.NY started as an Instagram mood board and grew into a full lifestyle platform rooted in street culture and design. AIAIAI is a Danish company that’s long been part of music culture, known for modular gear that artists use.

The first thing you notice is the colorway. The transparent design with green highlights is subtle. It’s not loud but still stands out.

You can see the structure of the headphones, which makes them feel more like an accessory than just another piece of black plastic tech. Bonus points that they are a conversation starter, too.

In daily use, the headphones are easy to live with. They are light and comfortable, which is important when you’re wearing them for long stretches. They don’t clamp too hard nor do they feel bulky.

Sound-wise, they’re clean and balanced. While it doesn’t have active noise cancellation, it works well for all the ways people actually listen in a big city. I like that you don’t have to think about the sound much.

It’s just good in a way that doesn’t get in your way, whatever mood I’m in wherever I am in the city, these headphones are great company.

AIAIAI’s modular approach also means these aren’t built to be tossed when something wears out. The speaker, headband, earpads, and cable are all replaceable.

So much of the tech we use should grow with us, even if they get outdated. So AIAIAI builds systems that can be upgraded over time. That’s part of why artists and DJs use them.

Especially because it’s a collectible, it feels like a piece you’ll want to keep. As someone who uses his prized possessions for a really long time, I love this about these headphones.

In a city where everything moves fast and feels temporary, it’s nice to have gear that doesn’t feel disposable.

The campaign, shot by photographer Gunner Stahl, probably looks familiar if you’re attuned to hiphop culture. What sets his work apart is his portraits feel more raw and relaxed instead of posed and polished. It aligns with HIDDEN.NY’s aesthetic, the kind of everyday style that feels genuine.

At the end of the day, the HIDDEN.NY x AIAIAI TMA-2 Bluetooth headphones make sense for people who live in cities like New York, where music is part of how you move, work, and think.

They sound good, they look interesting and different. They fit into real life without trying too hard.

The TMA-2 Hidden Edition headphones retail for US$220 and is available on aiaiai.audio.

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The Super Mario Galaxy Movie trailer shows first look at Yoshi

The premiere was also moved up by a few days.

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January 27, 2026

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As a fan of the Super Mario games, I’m still waiting patiently for the next 3D Mario title. In the meantime, we’ve got Mario in 3D to stave off the hunger. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie will premiere on April 1, and it just got a new trailer.

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie was announced quite some time ago, if the first film’s stinger wasn’t enough of a confirmation for you. As in that post-credits scene, Yoshi is set to make his debut. Now, the new trailer reveals the green dinosaur for the first time.

In the trailer, Mario and Luigi head to the Sand Kingdom to investigate a strange disturbance inside a pyramid. The disturbance turns out to be a scared Yoshi. What follows is a short montage of scenes from the movie but doesn’t reveal much of the connection between Yoshi and the movie’s story.

From the previous trailer, Bowser Jr. wants to claim the throne as the universe’s big baddie. It’s still unknown how Yoshi (and even Rosalina) connects to the overall plot.

Still, the trailer has a bunch of Easter eggs for fans of the franchise. For one, the Sand Kingdom is an area from the latest 3D Mario game, Super Mario Odyssey. Heading into the pyramid, you might also hear a subdued version of the “Underground Theme”. Then, when Yoshi finally appears, you’ll hear Super Mario World’s “Overworld Theme”.

The trailer also shows a peek at Birdo.

From the new trailer, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie will premiere a few days earlier on April 1. Previously, it was set to premiere on April 3.

SEE ALSO: Nintendo’s latest toy is Super Mario Wonder’s Talking Flower

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He-Man returns in live-action Masters of the Universe

Opens in Philippine cinemas in June 2026

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January 23, 2026

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Legendary hero He-Man is set to return to the big screen in the live-action film Masters of the Universe. The film arrives in Philippine cinemas in June 2026.

Nicholas Galitzine stars as Prince Adam. He returns to his home world of Eternia after 15 years to find it under the rule of the evil Skeletor, played by Jared Leto. To save his family and his world, Adam must reclaim the Sword of Power and embrace his destiny as He-Man.

Directed by Travis Knight, the film also stars Camila Mendes as Teela and Idris Elba as Duncan, also known as Man-At-Arms. The cast includes Alison Brie, James Purefoy, Morena Baccarin, Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson, and Charlotte Riley, with Kristin Wiig providing the voice of Roboto.

Masters of the Universe opens in Philippine cinemas in June 2026.

Watch the trailer

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