A Christian school in the UK has sparked a public debate after banning students from singing songs featured in the popular Netflix animated film KPop Demon Huntersciting concerns about religious sensitivities and the film’s depiction of demonic themes.
Lilliput Church of England Infant School, which caters for children aged 4 to 7, has issued a notice to parents and guardians explaining that some members of the Christian community have found the texts of KPop Demon Hunters deeply disturbing. The school pointed out that the film’s depiction of demonic forces may conflict with Christian teachings.
According to a report by BBC News, the school initially urged parents to discourage their children from singing the songs within the school out of respect for peers and staff whose beliefs may be challenged by the film’s content. School officials said that demons are considered in Christian theology “spiritual forces that oppose God and goodness”, making the film’s thematic elements potentially inappropriate in a faith-based setting.
In a public letter posted on the school’s website dated November 17, Principal Lloyd Allington explained further: “For some Christians, even playful or imaginary references to evil can conflict with deeply held beliefs that prioritize rejection of evil over engagement with it even through entertainment.”
However, Allington also acknowledged that not all responses have been negative. Some parents expressed appreciation for the film’s message, highlighting its themes of teamwork and kindness conveyed through music. “We’re not asking parents to tell their children that liking the movie or its songs is wrong,” Allington clarified. “Rather, our goal is to help children understand that others may have different perspectives and learn to respect and support those beliefs.”
KPop Demon Hunters follows the fictional girl group HUNTR/X consisting of Rumi (voiced by Arden Cho), Mira (May Hong) and Zoey (Ji Young Yoo), global pop icons by day and demon hunters by night. The trio must face their most formidable adversaries: the Saja Boys, a boy band who turns out to be demons and who aim to steal both fans and the souls of HUNTR/X.
Since its release in June, KPop Demon Hunters it became the most watched Netflix original animated film in the history of the platform. A sequel is currently in production and scheduled for release in 2029.
The film’s soundtrack also caused a sensation in the music industry. In particular, four songs from the film entered the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 and the soundtrack received five Grammy nominations.
The Hollywood Reporter described it KPop Demon Hunters AS “a dazzling animated experience with a mesmerizing soundtrack.” Yet despite its critical acclaim and commercial success, its reception in educational settings such as the Lilliput Church of England Infant School highlights ongoing tensions around religious values and modern entertainment.
Sources: TT
