[Alpha Biz= Paul Lee] Netflix’s original animated film K-Pop Demon Hunters is making waves across global markets, generating a ripple effect throughout the Korean pop music (K-pop) industry and fueling investor optimism for the domestic entertainment sector—particularly amid renewed expectations of a thaw in China’s "Korean Wave" ban (Hallyu restrictions).
According to Billboard on August 4 (local time), the film’s original soundtrack Golden has remained at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for the second consecutive week—highlighting the film's widespread popularity. The film’s global appeal spans not only Asia but also key Western markets including North America and Europe.
K-Pop Demon Hunters features a fantasy action storyline that merges the dazzling world of K-pop with supernatural elements, resonating with diverse international audiences and further solidifying K-pop’s global influence.
Lee Hwa-jung, an analyst at NH Investment & Securities, noted, “As the K-pop consumer base continues to diversify, the total addressable market (TAM) for the industry is expected to expand significantly.”
Adding to the momentum, growing speculation about a possible easing of China’s restrictions on Korean cultural imports is driving renewed interest in Korean entertainment stocks. Industry experts anticipate that entertainment shares may experience a significant boost in valuation should the Chinese market reopen fully to Korean content.
Alphabiz Reporter Paul Lee(hoondork1977@alphabiz.co.kr)
