Fans noticed a striking resemblance between Rumi, the lead character in KPop Demon Hunters, and BLACKPINK’s Jenniefrom her “Kill This Love” era. The film’s art director, Celine Dahyeu Kim, subtly confirmed the connection with a playful emoji reply to a fan’s question.
The animated movie, produced by Sony Pictures Animation, follows Huntrix, a K-pop girl group secretly battling demons. Rumi stands out with her dragon braids, bold eyeliner, and fierce stage presence—traits mirroring Jennie’s iconic 2019 look. Fans quickly pointed out the similarities when the trailer dropped.
“i’m curious if ktl era jennie was one of the idol inspo for rumi’s character design bc i’ve been getting the vibes since the trailer dropped and saw that dragon braid and eyeliner”
i'm curious if ktl era jennie was one of the idol inspo for rumi's character design bc i've been getting the vibes since the trailer dropped and saw that dragon braid and eyeliner#KPOPDEMONHUNTERSpic.twitter.com/muvzyd5Xld
— jane 🍉 | a wreck for KPDH (@breadbun_shua) June 12, 2025
Celine’s response fueled excitement among BLINKs (BLACKPINK fans) and animation enthusiasts. While the inspirations for the other two Huntrix members, Mira and Zoey, remain unconfirmed, fans speculate other K-pop stars might have influenced their designs.
KPop Demon Hunters blends K-pop glamour with supernatural action, directed by Maggie Kang (The LEGO Ninjago Movie) and Chris Appelhans (Wish Dragon). The story is set in an alternate Seoul, where Huntrix fights demons while maintaining their idol image. The film features original songs by top producers, including Teddy Park (BLACKPINK’s producer) and Lindgren (BTS, TWICE).
Rumi’s character has a deeper arc—she struggles with her half-demon identity, adding emotional depth to the high-energy plot. The movie’s animation style takes cues from Spider-Verse, with anime-inspired action sequences and vibrant visuals.
The Saja Boys, the demonic boy-band villains, add a fun twist. Their song “Soda Pop” mimics real K-pop hits but hides dark lyrics about devouring souls. Meanwhile, Huntrix’s tracks, like “Takedown”, serve as battle anthems against evil.
Early reviews praise the film’s catchy music, dynamic fights, and Korean cultural nods. It’s now streaming on Netflix, making it accessible worldwide. With Jennie’s influence on Rumi, BLINKs have another reason to tune in.
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