Next “KPop Demon Hunters”? Netflix’s New K-Pop Movie Hit With Scathing Backlash

A new K-pop themed film, K-POPS!, has landed on Netflix, and it is already facing strong backlash online.

The movie was first released in theaters by Aura Entertainment earlier this February before arriving on streaming.

| New York Times

It follows a struggling Los Angeles musician who moves to South Korea in hopes of reviving his failing career. He joins the live band for a televised K-Pop competition, only to discover something unexpected. His long-lost son is now a rising star. At first, he tries to use the situation to boost his own fame, but over time, their relationship shifts, and he begins to focus more on being a father.

After Netflix shared a short clip from the film on social media, reactions quickly turned negative.

K-POPS!, a film by and starring Anderson .Paak and his son Soul Rasheed, is now on Netflix!

Desperate to achieve stardom, an American musician joins a K-pop talent show in Seoul — only to discover a rising contestant is the son he never knew. pic.twitter.com/EMZOhTMubd

— Netflix (@netflix) May 30, 2026

Many criticized the plot for being unrealistic and tone-deaf. Some questioned its portrayal of K-pop culture and its handling of race and identity.

Making a movie about a black kid wanting to achieve stardom through racist culture vultures who constantly emulate his own culture, while amplifying the image of black males being deadbeats?!? What a fcking mess.

— Lexihardy (@Lexihardy26) May 31, 2026

A number of comments also argued that the film misrepresents the industry and leans into stereotypes rather than authentic storytelling.

This is not what bts paved the way for https://t.co/6jaezzZmTs

— ِ (@kitteewhysker) May 31, 2026

It keeps getting worse. https://t.co/F4PaAXbOn8

— nija. (@majornija) May 30, 2026

The clip continues to circulate, but instead of excitement, it has sparked debate and frustration among viewers.