A British school has reportedly banned students from singing songs from the hit animated film K Pop Demon Hunters, citing concerns that the themes conflict with Christian values.
The BBC reported on May 18 that Liliput Church of England Preschool in Dorset, southwest England, instructed students not to perform songs from the Netflix animated film at school. In a message to parents on May 14, school officials explained that some community members felt significant discomfort with references to demons in the film’s content.
K Pop Demon Hunters has become a global sensation, following the adventures of K pop girl group Huntress as they battle evil forces, including their rivalry with Lion Boys, a boy band made up of five malevolent spirits. The preschool’s message asked parents to encourage their children to avoid singing the songs at school in order to respect those who feel the film’s themes conflict with their beliefs.
According to the BBC, acting headteacher Lloyd Ellington later acknowledged receiving feedback from some parents who highlighted the positive messages in the songs, but he maintained that the school must be considerate of families who find the themes challenging.
The decision sparked backlash, with one parent telling the BBC that the ban was ridiculous and explaining that their daughter is a huge K pop fan who loves K Pop Demon Hunters, describing the songs as a harmless and confidence building activity.
In response to the criticism, Ellington conceded that songs such as Golden from K Pop Demon Hunters have helped children learn about teamwork, courage, and kindness, but emphasized that while parents may choose any content at home, the school must consider the diverse beliefs within its community and focus on supporting and respecting children’s faith.
