A Christian school in England has barred its students from singing along to KPop Demon Hunters amid concerns over references to demons.
Lilliput Church of England Infant School in Dorset sent a note to parents and carers for the pupils, aged from four to seven, saying some members of the community are “deeply uncomfortable” with specific song lyrics in Netflix‘s smash hit film.
According to BBC News, the initial note asked parents to encourage their children “not to sing these songs at school out of respect for those who find the themes at odds with their faith”. Staff explained that demons are associated with “spiritual forces opposed to God and goodness,” and therefore attempts must be made to foster and uphold the school’s “Christian ethos.”
In a new letter made public on the school’s website Monday, acting head teacher Lloyd Allington wrote to parents and carers: “For some Christians… even fictional or playful use of this language can conflict with their faith, which emphasises rejecting evil rather than engaging with it — even in entertainment.”
However, he did also mention that he had received positive feedback from some parents about KPop Demon Hunters, who have said that the songs encourage values like teamwork and kindness.
“We want to reassure you that 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, and this will not be the messaging we share in the school either,” the letter continued.
“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 movie follows K-pop girl group and demon-hunting trio Huntr/x. It was released to widespread acclaim in June this year and swiftly became the streamer’s most-watched original title in Netflix history, with a sequel already in the works.
It was also the first film soundtrack on the Billboard Hot 100 to have four of its songs in the top ten and earned an impressive five Grammy nominations.
The Hollywood Reporter‘s review called KPop Demon Hunters a “dazzlingly animated, infectiously soundtracked treat.”
