A primary school in the U.K. has banned students from singing songs from the hit Netflix animated film KPop Demon Hunters after some members of the school community expressed discomfort with its themes.
Lilliput Church of England Infant School in Poole, Dorset, informed parents on Friday, Nov. 14, that references to demons in the movie had raised concerns. According to the BBC, the school said several people found the content troubling because demons are viewed as “spiritual forces opposed to God and goodness.”
Acting head teacher Lloyd Allington followed up on Monday, Nov. 17, acknowledging that parents had shared positive feedback about the film’s music and themes. However, he maintained that the school’s intention was to support families who felt challenged by the supernatural elements.
*KPop Demon Hunters* has become one of Netflix’s most successful animated films, telling the story of fictional K-pop girl group Huntr/x as they battle demons using martial arts and the power of music.
The school’s initial message asked children not to sing songs from the movie “out of respect for those who find the themes at odds with their faith.”
Not all parents agreed with the decision. One parent told the BBC the reasoning was “ridiculous,” explaining that their daughter loves K-pop and that many of her friends are fans of the film. Others highlighted the positive influence of certain tracks, such as “Golden,” which they said encouraged teamwork and confidence.
Allington emphasized that the school was not criticizing the movie itself or asking parents to restrict what their children enjoy at home.
“While we respect your right to choose the content your child engages with, we also want to be mindful of the diversity of beliefs within our school community,” he said. “For some Christians, references to demons can feel deeply uncomfortable.”
He added that the school’s role is to help students understand differing perspectives and learn how to respect classmates whose beliefs may be impacted by the film’s themes.
