Demon Within
to banish or embrace?
I was lured to watch another Netflix movie by a cute character that was flooding my social media pages recently.
The curiosity spiraled into research on the background story. I quoted these from salon.com:
“Minhwa is a style of Korean folk art popular during the Chosun era, with the Hojak-do genre specializing in images of tigers, magpies, and pine trees. These images were often hung up at entrances for the new year — tigers were seen as keeping evil at bay, while magpies would deliver good news — the way these animals were depicted together evolved over time to become more satirical by the 17th century. The once powerful tiger, a stand-in for the ruling class of aristocrats, was painted to look foolish and yes, derpy, hence the nickname “idiot tiger” (바보호랑이). In contrast, the magpie was positioned over the cat and represented the common folk, cheekily flipping the hierarchy of the day.”
I finally made time to watch KPop Demon Hunters today.
The message there resonated deeply. They hit just a teeny tiny bit too close to home. But again, why wouldn’t it be?
“Your faults and fears must never be seen.” As Celine always says.
That caused Rumi to closed herself off. As mentioned by Healer Han, “Walls. You have lots of walls up. So many walls. Focus is good, but focusing on one part leads to ignoring other parts, making you separated, isolated. Emotionally closed off.”
(I can’t believe some fans have already covered the transcript of the movie.)
They align with my previous articles, Independence (Day) to be Me, and Please Stop People Pleasing!
As Rumi has a demon side in her that makes her feel relatable with Jinu, I believe everyone can relate to that. What should we do with that? Should we exert such effort to banish that demon that makes us feel unworthy, filled with shame and misery? Or, as I said to a dear soul, just embrace it. After all, it IS a part of us.
“The funny thing about hope. Nobody else gets to decide if you feel it. That choice belongs to you.”
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Another precious lesson I had. Choices. We have the freedom to choose our actions. And that drive should come from ourselves first and foremost, not driven by any external forces. Rumi even gained her voice back once she talked it out with Jinu. I also had some breakdowns each time I imploded. I feel you, Rumi.
Everybody deserves freedom. However, freedom comes at a price to pay. Shedding covers, sacrificing ego, or others.
We can’t fix it if we never face it.
What if we find a way to escape it?
We could be free.
Let the past be the past till it’s weightless.
(Song: Free)
At the end, Rumi returned to Celine, who raised her and asked why Celine couldn’t love her as a whole.
I tried to fix it. I tried to fight it.
My head was twisted. My heart divided. My lies all collided.
I don’t know why I didn’t trust you to be on my side.
I broke into a million pieces, and I can’t go back,
but now I’m seeing all the beauty in the broken glass.
The scars are part of me. Darkness and harmony.
My voice without the lies. This is what it sounds like!
(Song: What It Sounds Like)
Please listen to the whole album. It’s THAT good!
The scars that work as a reminder of the shame will still be there. No need to make them go away. Instead of wallowing in shame, accept it. It is part of us. It shaped us into the harmonious treasure we are.
As I said before, I still stand by my stance.
I embrace my demon. And I believe I can keep on growing and evolving by doing so.
Derpy led me to such deep thinking. 😅
From my sofabed/office for more than a week
5 July 2025
