Have you seen the new Netflix movie, KPop Demon Hunters?
After hearing “Golden,” the hit song from the movie on TikTok, I finally watched it. It’s on par with Frozen, Moana, or Encanto as far as catchy tunes go! Don’t be surprised if you see lots of Mira’s, Rumi’s, and Zoey’s for Halloween this year.
I was a little unsure what to expect before watching. I don’t listen to much KPop. The animation style isn’t one I typically watch. Much of the movie portrays a different culture, heritage, and worldview than what I have. And it’s a kids’ movie, which although I love, I don’t watch often unless I’m around kids.
Beyond that, having “Demon Hunters” in the name is pretty bold! As a person who follows the way of Jesus, remembering his temptation in the wilderness, and seeing how much darkness is in the world, it’s hard for me to not approach something like this as just entertainment with no theological emphasis. If you know me well, you know I can make anything existential. It’s for this reason my favorite movie is Peter Pan! The theme of never growing up is an invitation to child-like faith as Jesus taught in Matthew 18:3. Peter also says the same line two different ways, another beautiful invitation to the abundant life that God offers: “To die will be an awfully big adventure” later becomes “To live will be an awfully big adventure.”
Not wanting to judge KPop Demon Hunters too early, I finally watched it.
I loved the music, the themes, the handling of darkness and light, and the overall message! Definitely recommend the watch.
It’s been a few weeks since I saw it, and there’s one line that has continued to play through my mind.
So we’re not heroes, we’re still survivors.
As soon as I heard it, I gasped. I was in awe, letting out a breath as if to say Yes! Finally, that’s it! “So we’re not heroes, we’re still survivors.”
How often do we assume heroism is an ideal trait? In our work, in our families, we want to come into someone else’s challenging situation and make it better. We want to save the day, solve the problem, and make things right.
This isn’t inherently a bad thing; it’s actually a beautiful sign of love that you see someone else’s problem and pain and want to fix it. It’s empathetic and compassionate to see a bad situation and want to help create a way for that person to get out.
But heroism is not the gospel invitation Jesus offers.
God’s invitation is to “boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV). It’s to share openly about our mistakes. Maybe you’ve heard it this way, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near” (Matthew 4:17 NIV). Another translation says it this way, “It is time to change your thinking and begin your great journey” (FNV).
We were not created to be heroes. But because of God’s love, his character, and his peace, we can be survivors. And really, isn’t surviving far better than being a hero? Survival is about growth, acceptance, and courage. Survival is healing, continuing on. It doesn’t deny reality; it uses reality as a foundation to build a thriving life on.
So let’s get excited about that today! Let’s change our thinking about whether it’s more important to be a hero or a survivor. Because we all have weaknesses; we’ve all made mistakes.
And God hasn’t ever asked us to be heroes.
Instead, he invites us to be survivors. So what if we’re not heroes?
Praise God for that.