K-Pop Demon Hunters is facing controversy after a piece of fan art went viral, portraying its characters in a Disney-inspired style. The fan art, resembling classic Disney 2D animation—especially from the Mulan series—was shared widely on online platforms, triggering mixed reactions from Korean netizens.
The controversy began when many Korean fans expressed relief that Netflix’s animated film wasn’t a Disney production. Criticism of Disney’s portrayal of Asian characters quickly surfaced. Comments ranged from disappointment to outright disdain for how male characters are depicted.
Korean netizens responded with:
"Ugh, I hate it so much."
"Disney usually designs female characters decently, but I seriously don’t understand why they make male characters look so repulsive."
"Honestly, I really hate how Disney designs Asian characters."
Fans highlighted concerns over typical portrayals, with one stating:
"I think the way Disney makes male characters ugly… shows a lot about their mindset."
Others added:
"Thank you, Sony. lol."
"Geez. Looking at this fan art, I’m glad it wasn’t produced by Disney."
The backlash reflects ongoing sentiment towards Disney’s approach to Asian character design. Many fans have voiced they feel relieved that K-Pop Demon Hunters is not associated with the studio.
Check out the fan art below:
You can read more about the controversy in the original thread here.
Here’s a look at the film’s trailer:
