23/09/2025
Last weekend, I watched KPop Demon Hunters with my kids. At first, it felt like one of those “sit back and enjoy the ride” movies. But a few minutes in, I realized it was about something much deeper.
Rumi, the main character, hides glowing patterns on her arms - proof she’s “part demon.” Beneath her stardom, she fears this part makes her unlovable, unworthy, unsafe. So she hides it.
That’s shame in its truest form: the fear that a part of us makes us unconnectable to others.
The villain, Gwi-ma, doesn’t attack with weapons, but with whispers of shame: You’re not enough. You don’t belong. The turning point? Rumi shows what she’s been hiding - and instead of rejection, her friends pull her closer.
Maybe that’s why kids (and adults!) are connecting so deeply. Yes, the movie is beautiful and the music is fun — but really, it’s about the dream every kid carries: Can I show all of myself and still be loved?
As parents, this is where we get to take the story off the screen and into real life. Not with lectures or big “talks,” but with small moments of wondering out loud. Pausing the movie to ask questions, or even just reminding our kids in everyday moments: There’s nothing you could tell me that would make me love you less.
The themes in this movie are too good to leave on the screen. So I wrote down the best moments to pause, the questions to ask, and the sparks to look for. It’s in the Good Inside library now. Members - it’s waiting for you! And if you’re not a member yet, this is just one of the kinds of tools we love creating for parents. 💛
