A Church of England primary school in Dorset has sparked controversy after asking pupils to stop singing chart-topping songs from Netflix’s record-breaking animated musical KPop Demon Hunters, claiming the content clashes with the institution’s religious values.
Lilliput Church of England Infant School in Poole sent letters to parents last week requesting they discourage their children, aged four to seven, from performing the film’s infectious tracks on school grounds.
Acting head teacher Lloyd Allington cited concerns that references to demons make some Christians “deeply uncomfortable” as they associate such imagery with “spiritual forces opposed to God and goodness.”
The decision feels particularly ironic given the film’s actual narrative. KPop Demon Hunters follows fictional K-pop girl group Huntr/x, whose three members secretly protect humanity from soul-stealing demons through the power of their music and combat skills. The characters actively fight against evil rather than promote it.
The film also features rival demon band Saja Boys, whose songs explore themes of temptation and seduction, but these tracks serve as clear antagonistic counterpoints to the heroes’ messages.
Parents have responded with mixed reactions. One mother, who described herself as atheist, called the restriction “ridiculous,” telling the BBC: “My daughter is very into K-pop and her and all of her little friends love it. It’s just a harmless, nice little thing for them to do to get their confidence up.”
The timing makes the ban all the more striking. KPop Demon Hunters became Netflix’s most-watched film of all time this summer, racking up over 325 million views and surpassing 2021’s Red Notice.
The soundtrack achieved unprecedented commercial dominance, making history as the first to chart four simultaneous Top 10 songs on Billboard’s Hot 100.
Read “KPop Demon Hunters”: How an Animated Movie Became the Year’s Biggest Pop-Culture Phenomenon
Lead track “Golden” spent 10 weeks at number one in the UK and earned five Grammy nominations, including Song of the Year.
The song’s cultural reach extends beyond streaming platforms. The Royal Air Force band performed “Golden” during the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, and Scottish rock trio Biffy Clyro delivered a Radio 1 Live Lounge cover. Frontman Simon Neil praised the track as “one of the catchiest songs of all time.”
Following initial backlash, Allington issued a second letter acknowledging parental feedback about the positive values within KPop Demon Hunters.
Several parents highlighted how songs like “Golden” taught their children about teamwork, courage, and kindness.
However, the school maintained its position on respecting those who find the themes “challenging.”
“We are not asking parents to tell their children that there is anything wrong with enjoying the film or its songs if it aligns with your own views and beliefs,” Allington clarified. “Our role will simply be to help children understand that some of their peers may hold different views and to explore how we can respect and support those peers in upholding their faith.”
The controversy raises questions about where schools should draw lines between religious sensitivities and popular culture.
KPop Demon Hunters holds a 96 per cent rating on Rotten Tomatoes and carries a PG certificate, suggesting professional reviewers and ratings boards found the content appropriate for young audiences.
The film draws from Korean shamanic traditions where female shamans historically performed rituals to ward off malevolent spirits.
Other religious institutions have shown no such reservations. Beyond the RAF band’s royal performance, the film’s balloon characters Derpy and Sussie will appear at this week’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, joining iconic characters like Mario and Pikachu.
Netflix has already greenlit a sequel scheduled for 2029, alongside plans for a live-action adaptation, a second animated follow-up, and a stage musical.
The franchise shows no signs of slowing down, with reports suggesting the film’s voice actors are preparing for real-life performances as the Saja Boys.
For now, the children at Lilliput Church of England Infant School will need to save their renditions of “Golden” for home. Whether the ban will actually stop playground singalongs remains to be seen. After all, you can’t exactly unhear a song that spent 10 weeks at number one.
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