A Church of England infant school in Dorset has ignited a debate with parents after imposing a ban on children singing songs from the global Netflix phenomenon, K-Pop Demon Hunters. The decision was made over concerns that the film's content does not align with the school's Christian ethos.
The School's Decision and Parental Backlash
In a message sent to parents, Liliput Church of England Infant School in Poole, Dorset, explained that some pupils had found the themes in the movie 'challenging'. The headteacher, Lloyd Allington, stated that the use of the word 'demons' was the central issue, making some Christians feel 'deeply uncomfortable' as they associate demons with spiritual forces opposed to God.
The move prompted a furious reaction from some parents, with one father describing the decision as 'ridiculous'. This criticism led Mr Allington to issue a second statement, in which he acknowledged the film's positive messages. He recognised that the songs, including the 10-week UK number one single 'Golden', had helped children learn about teamwork, courage, and kindness.
Ban Remains Despite Acknowledging Positive Values
Despite this concession, the headteacher confirmed that the ban would remain in place. Parents have been formally asked to tell their children not to sing the songs at school. Mr Allington stated this was out of respect 'for those who find the themes at odds with their faith.'
He elaborated, saying, 'While we fully respect your right to make choices about the content your child engages with at home, we also want to be mindful of the diversity of beliefs within our school community.' The school's role, he added, would be to help children understand that some peers hold different views and to explore how to respect and support them in upholding their faith.
One anonymous father, an atheist, told the BBC that his daughter and her friends were very into K-pop and that the ban felt like 'a bit of an imposition and probably a bit unfair and silly'. He praised the school generally but felt it had been put under pressure to make the change.
The Global Phenomenon Behind the Controversy
The controversy centres on the smash-hit Netflix animated film, which became one of the streaming service's most successful programs ever. The film features a superstar South Korean girl group, Huntr/x, who lead double lives as demon hunters. Their adversaries are a five-piece boy band, Saja Boys, who are demons in disguise planning to devour the souls of their fans.
The film's success was monumental, enjoying a limited theatrical release with over 1,000 sold-out screenings across the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK, with its music dominating the charts.
