When my kids first asked me to watch a movie on Netflix called KPop Demon Hunters, I was immediately like “huh? What the heck is that about?” So, I did a quick review online and gave them the go ahead. Little did I know that two days later I would be sitting on my couch while no one was home and watching the ending no fewer than 6 consecutive times. It’s safe to say that I am completely hooked on this movie (and the soundtrack, duh).

The premise is exactly what it sounds like – a trio of singers have a special task – to destroy the demons that cross over from their world into theirs through both song and epic fighting skills. As they are about to close the barrier, a rival emerges from the demon world in the form of… a boyband.

And so we set up for one of the world’s greatest competitions – the bottle of the popstars. As the two bands compete for the souls of the fans, lead singers Rumi and Jinu uncover each other’s secrets (no spoilers here) and have some big decisions to make that will change the course of their respective worlds.

This movie is packed with catchy songs, stunning animation, and a great story…one that begged me to ask the question, “whose voice do I hear?” And I don’t mean in the literal sense between the singers, but in my own life. So often in this world, we are torn between competing voices… the voices of those with power, the voices of those calling out for help, the voices of our past, the voices of those wanting our attention…even the voices of our self-imposed inadequacies. Sometimes, those voices whisper when we are the most vulnerable, other times they scream at us and drown out the voices of reason and reality.

I recently was caught in that spiral of only hearing the voices of one of my darkest demons – the voice that told me that I was a burden. Most of the time, my mental health is well-managed, but the night before I watched this movie I was stuck. The only voice I could hear was the one that brings me down to my lowest point. And dude, it was so loud. I sat there running every scenario that I could think of when I must have been too much for someone, or when I failed. For hours, I fought what at the time felt like a losing battle. The darkness was just too strong.

But then another voice started to sing…the one that is tied to my faith. As I prayed through what felt like an endless crashing of waves of self-doubt, I took a deep breath. And then another. And then another. And then I reached out to someone. Much as Rumi found herself facing her own demon through the lens of a new friend, so I found myself finding truth through the words of someone else. And honestly, this week has continued with its challenges and that voice keeps trying to creep back in but, for today at least, the voice I hear is one that reminds me that I have something to offer this world…a song to sing.

So, as I have been watching and listening to this movie and those songs on repeat, I am reminded that there are voices more powerful than the ones that threaten to steal our voice and bring destruction. And those are the ones I aim to hear.

Note: If you or a loved one are struggling with your mental health, please reach out to someone. You are valued and worth it. Check out local resources in your area.

KPop Demon Hunters is streaming on Netflix now.