A Church of England school in the United Kingdom has sparked controversy by asking students not to sing songs from the Netflix animated film K Pop Demon Hunters on school grounds.
According to a BBC report on September 17, the school in Dorset, southern England, sent a message to parents on the 14th explaining that some members of the school community felt significant discomfort with mentions of evil spirits in the film’s soundtrack.
The school asked parents to ensure their children do not sing these songs on campus out of respect for those who feel the themes conflict with their faith.
K Pop Demon Hunters follows a girl group called Huntress who use their music to fight demons disguised as a boy band named Lion Boys, with a soundtrack featuring songs such as Golden, Soda Pop, and Your Idol that incorporate these themes.
Some parents, however, view the school’s decision as an overreaction, with one parent calling it ridiculous and noting that their daughter is obsessed with K pop and that all her friends love the film as well. In response, the school acknowledged hearing from other parents who highlighted the soundtrack’s positive messages about teamwork and courage.
The school emphasized its commitment to considering the diverse beliefs within its community, explaining that references to evil spirits can be unsettling for some Christians and that its role is to help students understand different perspectives while learning to support and respect one another’s beliefs.
