KPop Demon Hunters Art Book Unveils Rumi’s Family Tragedy
A new KPop Demon Hunters art book hints at a heartbreaking twist in Rumi’s past, revealing secrets about her mother and a bandmate that never made it to the film. The story could resurface in a future sequel.
Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters has been a hit with punters, thanks to its catchy tunes and high-energy action. But beneath the surface, there’s a fair bit of heartbreak that’s only just come to light. The latest free art book for the film has shed new light on Rumi’s family history, and it’s a lot more gutting than what made it to the big screen.
Unseen Losses and Hidden Gaps
Early pages in the art book spell out that Rumi, the group’s lead singer, has always felt a hole in her life. That gap, it turns out, was left when her mum – a warrior in her own right – was killed while Rumi was still a baby. The mateship she shares with her band fills some of that space, but the loss runs deep.
In the film, all we really know is that Rumi’s mum died when she was little. After that, Celine, her mum’s old bandmate from the Sunlight Sisters, stepped up to look after Rumi and help guide the rest of Huntr/x as they protected the Honmoon. But there’s more to the story than what’s on screen.
Clues in the Art and Cut Plotlines
Some sharp-eyed fans have noticed that concept art posted online by visual designer Simon Baek lines up with what’s in the art book. The version on his Instagram even includes a line from Rumi:
‘Why did you kill my mother, Celine?’
That’s a pretty heavy accusation, and it points to a storyline that never made it into the final cut.
The art book’s editor, Nathan Schauf, put it this way:
‘There is so much unsaid and untold history between Celine and Rumi that finding the right balance of how much to reveal on screen became one of the toughest challenges.’
It seems the complicated relationship between Celine and Rumi, and the circumstances around Rumi’s mum’s death – possibly during a fight with Rumi’s demon dad – was left on the cutting room floor.
What’s Next for the Story?
With all these hints and half-told stories, it’s no wonder fans are keen for more. There’s every chance the next instalment could dig deeper into what really happened between Celine, Rumi, and her parents. But anyone hoping for answers will have to wait a while – the sequel isn’t due out until 2029.