A Church of England school in Poole, Dorset, has banned students from singing songs from the Netflix animated film 'KPop Demon Hunters', citing concerns that lyrics about demons conflict with its Christian ethos.
Head teacher Lloyd Allington sent a message to parents explaining that some community members are 'deeply uncomfortable' with references to demons, which they associate with 'spiritual forces opposed to God and goodness'. The school asked students not to sing the songs at school out of respect for those who find the themes at odds with their faith.
The decision sparked backlash from some parents, with one telling the BBC: 'I thought it was ridiculous. My daughter is very into K-pop and her and all of her little friends love it.' Other parents highlighted positive messages in songs like the Grammy-nominated 'Golden', which they said teaches teamwork.
In an update, Allington acknowledged feedback from parents and said the school aims to support those who find the themes challenging. He emphasised that the school is not asking parents to tell children there is anything wrong with enjoying the film, but rather to help children understand and respect differing beliefs.
'KPop Demon Hunters', released in June, became Netflix's most-watched movie with over 325 million views. Its songs 'Golden', 'Your Idol' and 'Soda Pop' charted on Billboard's Hot 100. A sequel is planned for 2029.
