TLDR: Sometimes Dhamma learnings can be found in the most unexpected places.  The widely-acclaimed Netflix movie, K-Pop Demon Hunters, was one such encounter for this writer. This writer shares his reflections on the values of resolve, patience, and determination that stood out in the movie, exhibited by the main characters Ejae and Rumi.

In the Buddha’s life story, some anecdotes seem extraordinary (such as elongated earlobes or large feet). In contrast, others seem distinctly human (e.g., the Buddha experiencing a backache from old age). The seeming dichotomy between supernatural and realistic elements can be complementary, as different perspectives inspire different people. In the animated film K-Pop Demon Hunters, I was inspired by both the story of Korean American singer-songwriter Kim Eun-jae, also known as Ejae, and the main character, Rumi. 

I would like to highlight three qualities, or in Buddhist speak, pāramī (Perfections), that stood out to me.  They were 1) adhiṭṭhāna (resolve), 2) khanti (patience), and 3) nekkhamma (renunciation). 

Adhiṭṭhāna (Resolve):

To do whatever is worthy, one must have faith that it is worthwhile to pursue and the resolve to pursue it. In the movie, Ejae was an aspiring K-Pop star who trained for over a decade starting from age eleven, but her agency never deemed her ready to debut as a member of a K-Pop group. Yet Ejae remained committed to the K-Pop industry and later transitioned into songwriting for K-Pop bands. 

Likewise, Mahāpajāpatī Gotamī, the Buddha’s stepmother, adhered to the Buddha’s teachings. With hundreds of women, she walked across India to meet the Buddha at Vesālī and requested to join the Sangha. The Buddha initially refused her request to establish the female monastic order because the prevailing social conditions at the time made the ordination of women challenging.

However, when Venerable Ananda sought the Buddha’s clarification that women were equally capable of practising to achieve full Enlightenment, and advocated for the establishment of the nuns’ order, the Buddha allowed the start of the women’s monastic order. 

In the modern era, when the nuns’ monastic lineage was deemed to be broken, there were Theravadan nuns who worked hard to re-establish the nuns’ lineage. Monks such as Ajahn Brahm, who believed in the re-establishment of the nuns’ order, also risked losing their status to fight for those who wanted to have a proper standing again in the Sangha order.  

In K-Pop Demon Hunters, Rumi had to find the resolve to finish what she started. Having the determination to see something through does not mean one has to proceed alone, though. Rumi had the support of Jinu at the end – who reminded her that she was enough.

Khanti (Patience):

Patience is a scarce resource in our modern TikTok world, where we expect things to materialise within seconds of placing an online order. In Buddhism, we are told that the Buddha spent aeons (countless lifetimes) perfecting his pāramī and setting the right conditions for awakening. 

In the movie, Ejae took a long detour to achieve fame. She spent over 10 years in the K-pop industry, attempting to achieve a breakthrough, failing, and then went on to write songs for K-pop groups. All these efforts were not in vain, for she gained an intimate, behind-the-scenes view of the K-Pop universe over time. If she did not have the patience to fail and pivot, she may not have gained the right knowledge and understanding to create the award-winning “Golden” song. 

Rumi exhibited patience by being present for her group mate’s challenges. This was not easy, yet important. While Rumi was not always the most patient at the beginning, as she came to understand her own internal challenges and she began to accept that others were also struggling with their own demons. She learnt to be more understanding toward them. This is an important reminder that patience is not inherent; it must be cultivated and nurtured over time.

Nekkhamma (Renunciation):

Giving up one’s dream is hard. I know this personally. I gave up my dreams of finishing my PhD in Counselling Psychology, and had spent a 7+ year journey in graduate school by the time I walked away. However, I have never given up my dream of becoming a helping professional, and I have remained in the higher education industry, working as a counsellor for over a decade. 

In the movie, Ejae had to abandon her aspiration to debut in a K-pop group. Giving up one’s initial goal does not mean that one cannot re-invent oneself and pursue other roles in the industry that one wants to excel in. The Buddha experienced both extremes, from a life of princely luxury to one of severe starvation, eating only one grain of rice per day.

Eventually, the Buddha renounced the practices of extremes (extreme wealth or poverty) and realised the path of moderation. Realising that there needs to be sufficient energy to sustain one’s life and to practice well, the Buddha consumed the milk-rice provided by Sujata to regain sufficient strength to meditate and attain final liberation. 

In Rumi’s case, she learnt that despite being born half-human and half-demon, she could let go of the shame of being half-demon and her fear of being rejected by her friends and fans. True friendship goes beyond surface characteristics, such as being friendly or popular (in Rumi’s case, her demonic markings); it is getting to know someone over time to know that they are trustworthy and dependable. Over time, Rumi demonstrated that she would be there for her friends and fans, and that’s why they accepted her in turn. 

From the backstory of the animated film K-Pop Demon Hunters, I hope you are inspired by Ejae as much as you are by Rumi. Having male allies on one’s journey is a plus.  

Sukhi hontu – May you be well and happy. 

Wise Steps:

• Knowing what’s important and valuable for us to be determined in pursuing takes time. Be open to exploring, and get to know yourself.
• Success does not come in a neat package, ripening at the pre-determined timeline that we may impose on ourselves; be patient.
• Giving up on old views as we grow wiser can be painful, but growth requires shedding old habits and ways of doing things. Be fluid like water, and you will go far in life.