R. Nassor may spend more time with books, tea, and ceramic mugs than recommended by professionals but it hasn’t failed her so far. Nassor has a MA in English Literature from Georgetown University, where she looked at the way medieval and early modern literature reappear in fantasy books today. She’s been writing about romance, fantasy, science fiction, and pop culture for quite a while, starting at Book Riot in 2020. She’s also written for Tor.com. You can follow her on Tiktok and contact her through her website.
The 2025 animated musical KPop Demon Hunters took the world by storm. In the wake of the movie’s success, I thought I would take the time to recommend some books to read while we wait for a sequel.
KPop Demon Hunters follows Huntr/x, a three-woman K-pop group who secretly fight demons in song-fueled combat. Rumi, Mira, and Zoey are the newest generation charged with protecting humanity by singing to create the demon barrier called the Honmoon. When a rival demon boyband group, the Saja Boys, makes their debut, Huntr/x has to use all the tools at their disposal to save humanity.
Based on Korean mythology, heritage, and culture, the script, songs, casting, and direction highlight everything from K-pop idols to shamans to food. Ultimately, KPop Demon Hunters is an endlessly watchable, hopelessly catchy love letter to Korean culture with powerful female leads who encourage their audience to be true to themselves.
The movie’s success gives me a chance to shine a light on books to read if you liked KPop Demon Hunters. These YA and adult fantasy books center on people fighting to maintain humanity despite difficult circumstances. I’m sure they will hit just the spot.
YA Fantasy Books for Fans of KPop Demon Hunters
Wicked Fox by Kat Cho
Living in Seoul as an eighteen-year-old gumiho is easy for Gu Miyoung. She must consume men’s energy if she wants to survive, and a city as big as Seoul has plenty of evil men to devour. But that was before she came across a goblin attacking a human boy, and she gave up her gumiho soul to save him. Jihoon knows nine-tailed fox spirits like Miyoung are dangerous, but he cannot help but be drawn to her. With her immortality on the line, Miyoung cannot fall in love with Jihoon, but she’s not sure she’s strong enough to stay away.
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The Omen Girl by Yueh Yang
Sozo is a cursed, abandoned street kid with one chance to change her life forever. Her mentor told her that if she could enter and win the Decade Race of Stars, she would be able to wish for anything, and so she does. But with her curse spiraling out of hand, it becomes harder and harder to stay in the competition. Although Sozo has spent her life fighting to survive, she questions whether she is really willing to give up everything for a chance to become anything.
Adult Fantasy Books for Fans of KPop Demon Hunters
Nine Tailed by Jayci Lee
Sunny’s spent a hundred years in America running from the fact that she is a gumiho. But when her former friend Ethan tracks her down at a Vegas Casino and asks her to help him find out who killed his brother, she’s pulled into the supernatural world once more. Sunny has to confront her past, her power, and her purpose if she wants to avenge her friend and stop anyone else from getting hurt. The first book in the Realm of Four Kingdoms series is filled with Korean mythology, ancient evils, and searing romance.
Five Broken Blades by Mai Corland
Five assassins aim to steal the immortal crown from the god king and take the throne. The crew is decidedly irregular: a poison maiden accompanied by the son of her contract holder; the king’s treasonous spymaster and the exiled prince he shouldn’t still love; and a nimble thief alongside her hired bodyguard. All will travel to the empire’s center to kill the king, but their journey reveals lies and corruption that threaten them all.
The God and the Gumiho by Sophie Kim
As a barista, the former terrifying gumiho, the Scarlet Fox, Kim Hani, does her best to serve every customer, even the annoying trickster god, Seokga. Tossed from the heavens and forced to work as a PI in the mortal world he hates, Seokga lives for the day he can return to his rightful place in Okhwang. So, of course, he accepts a deal to kill the Scarlet Fox in exchange for his reinstatement. Hani has not survived this long to let a trickster god take her down. Becoming his assistant to interfere with his investigation is just the first step.
I hope you enjoy these excellent books to read if you liked KPop Demon Hunters. If you are looking for other book recommendations, try 16 Books Set in the Korean Peninsula, Swoon-worthy Korean Romance Novels for K-pop and K-drama Fans, and K-Pop Books You Have to Read This Year.
English (US) · 