K-Pop Demon Hunters follows Huntrix, a top-tier K-pop girl group living a double life. Behind the glare of global stardom, they secretly operate as demon hunters.
While the film is filled with demons, its central conflict revolves around a single primary antagonist: Gwi-ma, the mastermind behind all the chaos.
Here are 4 key facts about Gwi-ma in K-Pop Demon Hunters.
1. Meaning Behind the Name
The name Gwi-ma directly reflects his demonic nature. It is derived from Korean words borrowed from Chinese: gwi, meaning “ghost,” and ma, meaning “demon”.
2. The Main Villain
Although HUNTR/X faces countless demons and spirits, there is only one true villain pulling the strings—Gwi-ma.
He is the supreme puppet master who commands the entire demon army and serves as the sole architect behind every catastrophe in K-Pop Demon Hunters.
3. Powers and Abilities
Gwi-ma does not attack the human world head-on. Instead, he devours souls, manipulates other demons (such as Jinu), and casts spells into human bodies to lure and corrupt them.
He tempts humans by siphoning fan energy with a single goal in mind: breaking the seal of the demon realm, known as Honmoon. Once the seal weakens, Gwi-ma can freely cross over into the human world.
His greatest weapon lies in exploiting human guilt and insecurities. He forces people into dark bargains in exchange for power—deals that ultimately drive his victims to harm those they love.
Visually, Gwi-ma stands out as a demon without limbs. He is portrayed as a massive, purple, flaming mouth, symbolizing his endless hunger for human souls. This form later evolves at the end of the film after he consumes countless souls.
4. Voice Actor
Gwi-ma’s menacing presence is brought to life by acclaimed actor Lee Byung-hun, who serves as his voice actor.
Known internationally for his role as the Front Man in Squid Game, Lee delivers a chilling and manipulative performance, perfectly embodying the cold authority of the demon lord.
Most Popular Netflix Film Ever
Kpop Demon Hunters has cemented its status as one of Netflix’s most successful original titles of all time, amassing more than 330 million views worldwide.
Its massive success has also spilled over into the music industry. The soundtrack shattered multiple world records, most notably with “Golden,” which made history as the first song by a K-pop girl group to top the Billboard Hot 100.