The world remains obsessed with—and inspired by—the music and beauty of Netflix’s animated film KPop Demon Hunters. This year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade even featured an excellent live performance of “Golden,” from the film’s soundtrack, sung by the original vocalist.
This cultural phenomenon could not have come at a better time, when the misguided and dark forces of the Trump administration are dehumanizing the “other,” failing to celebrate the beauty and contributions of racialized minorities in the U.S. In contrast, KPop Demon Hunters articulates an excellent narrative of cultural diversity and inclusion in American culture.
The administration’s demonizing rhetoric is an old but perilous narrative that devalues non-white people in society, elevating whiteness above all. This is evident in their relentless removal of DEI policies in government agencies, the gutting of the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department, and their attacks against Smithsonian museums that dare to tell the truth about slavery in America.
These actions devalue the rights and interests of marginalized communities. They tell us, “You do not matter.”
The animated film, instead, advances a truly American narrative, encapsulated in the Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
These timeless truths affirm that all men and women, regardless of the color of their skin or national origin, are equal, filled with intrinsic value and beauty. They recognize that, as Genesis 1 affirms, all people are created in the image of God. This means we are physical representations of a royal deity, sharing God’s rational and moral essence.
Oh, how we need this beautiful movie and its catchy songs, for they help us remember and sing the true narrative about life, ourselves, and our incredible potential for beauty and virtue. Let us, along with Rumi, Mira and Zoey, keep singing:
I was a ghost, I was alone (hah)
어두워진 앞길 속에 (hah)
Given the throne, I didn’t know how to believe
I was the queen that I’m meant to be
I lived two lives, tried to play both sides
But I couldn’t find my own place
Called a problem child ’cause I got too wild
But now that’s how I’m getting paid 끝없이 on stage
I’m done hidin’, now I’m shinin’ like I’m born to be
We dreamin’ hard, we came so far, now I believe
We’re goin’ up, up, up, it’s our moment
You know together we’re glowin’
Gonna be, gonna be golden
Oh-oh-oh, up, up, up with our voices
영원히 깨질 수 없는
Gonna be, gonna be golden
Oh-oh-oh, I’m done hidin’, now I’m shinin’ like I’m born to be
Oh, our time, no fears, no lies
That’s who we’re born to be
Let’s be like Huntrix, freeing ourselves from destructive narratives that harm us and others. Let’s be who we were born to be— people of love, courage and beauty.
Let’s lift our voices in the melodic song of love. Let’s be golden!
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Donald E. Williams is a United Methodist pastor and Duke University graduate. He completed his doctorate at Duke University in 2022 and is the author of An Investigation Into the Relationship Between Aristotelian Eudaimonia and Christian Discipleship: A Thomistic Perspective, Wipf and Stock Publishers.
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