Netflix and Sony’s animated phenomenon K-Pop Demon Hunters is shaping up to be the entertainment story of the summer. Two months after its June 20 release, the film is not only dominating Netflix’s global charts but also sparking an unprecedented wave of cross-industry collaborations that underscore its cultural footprint. Now, in a true sign that the film has crossed into the mainstream, it has secured its first instant noodles deal.
Korean food giant Nongshim has announced a lineup of limited-edition products featuring the film’s characters, including Shin Ramyun, Shrimp Crackers, and a newly launched Shin Ramyun Tumba All-Purpose Sauce. Special-edition cup noodles modeled after those slurped onscreen by Rumi, Mira, and Zoey will also hit shelves across Korea, North America, Europe, Oceania, and Southeast Asia.
The frenzy isn’t just about merchandising; it’s tied to the film’s record-breaking momentum on Netflix. With 210.5 million views to date, KPDH has defied the streamer’s usual trajectory, climbing in popularity well after its debut and sustaining roughly 26 million views per week for the past five weeks. The performance has pushed the title back to No. 1 on Netflix’s global Top 10, and it’s now all but certain to surpass Red Notice as the platform’s most-watched original film ever this week. Crucially, it still has a month left in Netflix’s 91-day record window, giving it time to build an even bigger lead.
Between its original soundtrack featuring artists like EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and members of TWICE, its global fandom, and now its push into consumer products, K-Pop Demon Hunters has outgrown a possible status as a flash-in-the-pan Netflix release and crossed into full-fledged franchise territory. With sequels and a short film already in early development, the real story may be just beginning.