Gwi-Ma

Name: Gwi-Ma

Status: Unknown

Gender: Male

Alias: The Demon King, The Mighty Demon King

Origin: KPop Demon Hunters

Occupation: Ruler of the Demon Realm, Lord of the Demons, Saja Boys master (formerly)

Skills: High level intelligence, Leadership, Psychological manipulation, Deal making, Intimidation

Powers: Pyrokinesis, Hypnosis, Wish granting, Telepathy, Telekinesis, Soul empowerment, Demon summoning, Immortality, Inter-dimensional travel, Control over demons, Control of the underworld

Goals: Defeat HUNTR/X (temporarily succeeded), Destroy the Honmoon (succeeded, but is was rebuilt), Be freed from the Demon Realm into to Human Realm to consume all human souls and start the demon apocalypse on Earth (briefly succeeded), Kill Jinu for his betrayal (indirectly succeeded), Kill HUNTR/X (failed).

Allies: Saja Boys (servants), Jinu Saja (formerly)

Abby Saja, Mystery Saja, Romance Saja

Baby Saja

Enemies:Jinu Saja (victim), Rumi, Mira, Zoey (all arch-nemesis), Celine, Ryu Mi-yeong (Rumi’s mother)

“Because if you really believed her, if you really thought you could escape what you are, what you did...you would have told her the truth. You betrayed your own family. You left them behind. Don't forget about our deal, Jinu, because I can turn those voices up. Or they can be gone. Don't think you can escape what you are.”

GWI-MA THREATENING JINU INTO OBEYING HIM

Gwi-Ma is the main antagonist of Sony Pictures Animation's 29th feature full-length animated film KPop Demon Hunters. He is the demon king who thrives on the souls of others to be free from the demon world into the human world.

He is the arch-nemesis of Rumi, Zoey, Mira and Jinu, being the latter's former master.

He was voiced by Byung-hun Lee.

Personality

Gwi-Ma is depicted as manipulative, cruel, sadistic, power hungry, and ruthless. Desiring to be free from the Honmoon and devour the souls of humanity as he pleases, Gwi-Ma proves himself desperate to escape and often sends his demon minions to prioritize killing off the Huntrix. Caring very little for his minions, he often punishes them in absolute fury for their failures, exemplified when he incinerates the female demon impersonating a stewardess for failing to kill the hunters.

Gwi-Ma also takes joy over manipulating those into his deals for power in exchange of hurting or abandoning those they love while under his influence and prefers to prey on their deepest insecurities and faults.

Appearance

Gwi-Ma is a giant, purple/violet mouth of fire without any other facial features or limbs, with the shape of his teeth being pointed, resulting in a menacing, monstrous visage. His mouth expands when angered or amused. In the film's climax, as a result of consuming so many human souls as well as the life force of his own demon subjects, he becomes even more gigantic and gains nostrils and two glowing eyes with arched eyebrows.

Biography

Many centuries ago, Gwi-Ma had his demon army terrorize and steal the souls of villagers, absorbing and devouring them as he pleased in order to channel strength and further spread his influence and domain across the lands. Known for making deals with humans and turning them into his demonic servants, Gwi-Ma made one such offer to a human peasant named Jinu at some point, who suffered from poverty with his family and sought a new life. Jinu was given fame and fortune, but at the cost of abandoning his family and becoming bound to serve Gwi-Ma as a demon and forsake his humanity as a result. However, Gwi-Ma's continuous reign was put on halt by the first generation of demon hunters who used their voices and music to create a barrier called the "Honmoon" which was powered by their fans and trapped all demonic entities beneath it, preventing them from entering the mortal realm. In time, the hunters would soon be on the verge of turning this barrier into the "Golden Honmoon", which would in turn vanquish Gwi-Ma and his demonic kindred into the demon realm for eternity.

Swearing vengeance and one day return to the mortal realm, Gwi-Ma spent centuries sending his demon minions through weak spots in the Honmoon to attack every generation of demon hunters in his attempts to kill them off, This always ended in absolute failure and lack of progress though, especially against HUNTR/X, the latest generation of demon hunters and a K-Pop girl group. When one of his minions returned after failing to kill HUNTR/X, Gwi-Ma punishes her by burning her alive in front of his demon horde, calling them "weak and useless". Running out of ideas and time to get rid of the demon hunters, Jinu approaches Gwi-Ma with an idea to gather thousands to millions of souls by getting a group together to become a K-Pop boy band called "Saja Boys", something Gwi-Ma ridicules before he is convinced by majority of his kindred that it could work. Jinu complies with the deal of wanting memories of his mistakes erased.

Throughout Saja Boys' successful career on gathering millions of fans and past rivalry with HUNTR/X, Gwi-Ma recovers his strength through the countless souls transferred into his dominion and continues getting stronger at the monument of his freedom coming close. When Jinu starts developing feelings for Rumi and reconsiders her plan, Gwi-Ma psychologically makes Jinu relive the mistake of abandoning his family and living the luxurious lifestyle, forcing him to further comply with his demands until HUNTR/X is dealt with. After the fallout of HUNTR/X staged by Jinu's machinations, Rumi's voice through her demonic heritage starts cracking up the Honmoon, causing the barrier to falter as Gwi-Ma's voice starts to psychological control those whose insecurities he preyed on; including Bobby, Mira, and Zoey as millions of people started walking onward to the Saja Boys' concert taking place at the Namsan Tower.

With the whole stadium populated heavily, Gwi-Ma prepares the Saja Boys on the stage to sing "Your Idol" before the former begins feasting on the thousands to millions of participants until Rumi, the only one left not under Gwi-Ma's influence, appeared. He mocks and taunts Rumi for her failures and that everyone sees her for what she is, the latter still had the will inside to make a new Honmoon and pours her voice into singing "What it Sounds Like", getting Mira and Zoey out of the trance. Alerted by her song's power, Gwi-Ma has the Saja Boys and a large horde of demon attack HUNTR/X to prevent their interference, but later chooses to absorb the energy of his demon horde to grow even powerful, enlarging himself so that his face is formed and forming a sort of demonic fire breath to attack Rumi.

With the song reaching out to the audience and lending their souls to boost HUNTR/X's powers, they mustered enough to deliver one final strike against Gwi-Ma, vanquishing him, and restoring the Honmoon.

Quotes

Gwi-Ma: Let me guess...they got away again?

Demon Stewardess: T-The Hunters, they’re too strong.

Gwi-Ma: I understand...

Demon Stewardess: You...you do?

Gwi-Ma: I understand you are weak! Pathetic! USELESS! ALL OF YOU!!! Don’t you idiots know? Once the Hunters turn the Honmoon gold, it’s over for us!

GWIN-MA'S INTRODUCTION AFTER REALIZING THAT HUNTR/X GOT AWAY.

Jinu: There once was a mighty demon king. Stop me, if you’ve heard this one before. He was in total control. He feasted on souls. The world trembled when he roared. But then, some hunters sang some songs. Now all he does is starve. Can’t get at the souls and flames went cold. Just a whisper in the dark. And will he let the fire go out? Is this the end of him now? Dying king with a crumbling crown? Will he let the fire go out?

Gwi-Ma: I let you keep that voice, Jinu. And you dare to mock me with it?

Jinu: I’m not here to mock you. I’m here to help. It’s time for a new strategy. We fight the Hunters where they least expect it. After the very thing that powers the Honmoon. The fans.

Gwi-Ma: A demon boy band? (Laughs) What makes you think that could work?

Demon 1: Oh yeah, That’s totally gonna work.

Demon 2: Yeah. 100%.

Gwi-Ma: Okay. I know you Jinu. In 400 years, you’ve never done a single thing that didn’t serve yourself. What do you want?

Jinu: The memories. I want them erased.

GHI-MA TO JINU.

Gwi-Ma: My little soda pop, it’s catchy. Surprisingly, your plan is working.

Jinu: I know, and that soul is just a starter. So let me get back to work and you’ll be feasting in no time.

Gwi-Ma: One of the Hunters bears my mark, but I have no control over her.

Jinu: This is good. This means she has shame. I’ll find out what it is and we can use it to destroy her and the Hunters for good

Gwi-Ma: I've taught you well, Jinu.

GHI-MA ON JINU’S BAND SUCCESS.

Jinu: What's with the long faces, everything’s going to plan. Look at all these souls, huh?

Demon: Turn around

Gwi-Ma: That’s funny. I thought for a second you actually believed you could be free.

Jinu: Haha, yeah, that’s funny...

Gwi-Ma: Because if you really believed her, if you really thought you could escape what you are, what you did... you would have told her the truth. You betrayed your own family. You left them behind. You killed your family. Don't forget about our deal, Jinu.

GWI-MA THREATENING JINU.

“You couldn’t keep them together. You’re all alone, but you don’t have to be.”

GWI-MA TO BOBBY.

“Well done. Ready to forget it all? ...Good. I’m ready to feast.”

GWI-MA TO JINU.

Gwi-Ma: You come here like this? You think you can fix the world? You can’t even fix yourself.

Rumi: I can’t.

Gwi-Ma: And now everyone finally sees you for what you really are.

Rumi: They do.

Gwi-Ma: And the Honmoon is GONE.

Rumi: It is. So we can make a new one.

GWI-MA TAUNTING RUMI.

“STOP THIS SONG!”

Gwi-Ma ordering demons and The Saja Boys to kill HUNTR/X.

“YOUR VOICES...CANNOT...DEFEAT...ME!!!”

Gwi-Ma's last words as he talks to HUNTR/X before being forced back into the underworld by them.

The Demon Realm

The Demon Realm is a location in KPop Demon Hunters. It’s a physical plane under the tyrannical control of Gwi-Ma, existing under the human world. The only inhabitants of the realm appear to be demons.

The Demon Realm is separated from the human world by the Honmoon, a magical shield created and sustained by Demon Hunters through the power of their voices and songs, which banish the darkness and bring people together. Demons ascend from their realm to the world of humans through the cracks in the Honmoon to steal human souls and channel their strength back to their kin.

Description

The Demon Realm is an empty, misty hellscape devoid of any signs of life besides the demons. On the top of the long stone steps, there is Gwi-ma; on the opposite side of him, there are the gates. The sky in the realm is always grey and cloudy.

Social hierarchy

All the demons have to live under the ruthless rulership of Gwi-ma, who harshly punishes those who failed to carry his orders. Gwi-ma prevents the demons from overthrowing him by integrating various intimidation and manipulation techniques, such as using the demons' sense of shame against them and carrying out public executions to put a fear in their hearts. Demons are shown to be morbidly terrified of Gwi-Ma.

While demons show no remorse over hunting down humans, they are concerned for their own kind. It is illustrated when the demons become visibly anxious and uneasy when Gwi-ma torments the flight attendant demon sent after HUNTR/X, and later, Jinu. They also form social groups, as the demons quickly become the fans of the Saja Boys and even carry the merchandise.

The human souls stolen by the demons are devoured by Gwi-Ma, who then uses them as a power source.

Known inhabitants: Gwi-Ma, Saja Boys/Jinu, Mystery, Abby, Romance, Baby Saja, Other Demons

Demons

Age: Can live up to hundreds of years

Status: Active; imprisoned in the Demon Realm

Species: Soul-stealing demons

Gender: Male/Female/Undetermined

Occupation: Minions of Gwi-Ma

Affiliation: Gwi-Ma, Saja Boys

A demon is a supernatural entity that resides in the Demon Realm, entirely controlled by Gwi-Ma. They are sent through tears in the Honmoon in order to suck out the souls of humans to take them back to their king, giving him enough power to enter the human world.

Description

Demons are malicious creatures from the underworld who target human souls for energy. They are merciless hunters who show no sympathy for their prey. The souls stolen by the demons are devoured by Gwi-Ma, who then uses them to manifest himself in the human world.

Being outwardly creatures, the demons possess various supernatural abilities, such as teleportation and mind control. Moreover, demons can only be destroyed by the weapons wielded by demon hunters and Gwi-Ma's power. After a demon steals a human soul, the physical body of the said human disappears.

It is unclear under what conditions people can perceive demons, as passengers on the train don't react to the faceless demons before they steal their souls, nor do the men in the sauna notice water demons. At the same time, people easily observe the Saja Boys, but cannot see their demonic patterns. It is possible that demons can use mind control to limit humans' perception of them.

Most of the time, the demons are trapped in the Demon Realm by the Honmoon, but can crawl into the human world through the cracks in it.

Physiology

The demons have no blood and viscera, being made out of pure energy. The existence of half-demons like Rumi implies that some demons can reproduce with people.

Types

Regular Demons

Those are the most common type of demons. They have unique appearances, but usually fall under one of three types: Short and scrawny with one eye, Short and scrawny with two eyes, Tall and broad with two eyes.

Their sclera are always dark, but their irises can have various colors, such as yellow, green, blue, and orange. The skin colors also differ for each demon. They have pointed ears, sharp claws, massive canines, and scar-like markings on their skin along with the demon patterns. Optionally, they can have horns or marks on their cheeks. Unlike water and faceless demons, regular demons wear clothes in the demon world. They can mimic human behavior, but unnaturally and badly. In the battle, they are more talkative than other types of demons, taunting and insulting their opponents.

Joseung saja

Those kinds of demons are corrupted human souls tricked by Gwi-Ma by the promises of luxury and the fulfillment of their dreams.

Gwi-Ma targets those drowning in despair and makes their wishes come true, but at a cost, as Gwi-Ma's "help" has a dark side. To get everything they ever wanted, Gwi-Ma's victims must first betray those they loved. The act of betrayal puts shame in the hearts of those who made a deal with Gwi-ma, making the demon patterns on their skin spread until they consume a person whole, turning them into an eternal prisoner in the demon realm and a slave to Gwi-ma. The more shame a person feels, the stronger Gwi-Ma's control over them becomes.

Unlike other demons, corrupted human souls have more human features. They have purple skin, demon patterns spread across their body, yellow irises, and dark claws. Sometimes, they have prominent lower canines. They are dressed as Joseung saja, which also tells them apart from other demons.

Eventually, humans-turned-demons lose their souls and subsequently their humanity, becoming empty shells for Gwi-Ma to control.

Examples;

Rumi's father

Saja Boys: Unlike Jinu, the rest of the Saja Boys have lost every single trace of their souls, becoming mindless monsters. It can be seen in their rigid poses in the demon world and their lack of interest in their surroundings. After the Saja Boys have shed their disguise at the end of "Your Idol", they attack HUNTR/X like zombies, using their teeth and claws, alluding to their monstrous nature.

Jinu: Jinu is the only Saja Boy who still has his soul left. He was tricked by Gwi-Ma with the promise of a luxurious life, but had to leave his family behind. Jinu was given his singing voice as a part of the contract.

Water Demons

Water demons are the demons that appear from the water sources. They have long, dark hair, long faces with bulging yellow eyes, prominent lower canines, demon patterns, and malnourished bodies. Water demons also have lanky limbs with membranes, giving them a resemblance to amphibians. They don't wear clothes.

The name "water demons" is given to them by Mira.

Examples

The Saja Boys' demon fan seen along the movie is a water demon.

Faceless demons

Faceless demons usually hunt in big groups. They are small, scrawny, and have no facial features. They usually mindlessly throw themselves at the hunters or growl at them in an attempt at intimidation. While their fighting style is primitive, faceless demons are proven to be extremely deadly. It is seen when they wipe out a train full of people in a few seconds.

Half-demons

Half-demons are the demons born from a human and a demon parent. Half-demons inherit the demon powers from one of their parents while not being controlled by Gwi-Ma at the same time. Their full powers are unknown. However, they still have demon patterns, which spread across their skin as they feel shame.

Their existence implies that the demons are not sterile and can reproduce with humans.

Examples

Rumi: Rumi is the only known half-demon.

Behavior

Demons appear to be social creatures, as they usually seen in groups in the demon realm and while hunting. While they are indifferent to the sufferings of humans and even take pleasure to it, they extend sympathy to their own kind. For example, the demons are terrified when Gwi-ma punishes the flight attendant demon for failing her task. The demons do everything in their power not to cause Gwi-ma's rage, being terrified of him.

The demons are also quicky become the fans of the Saja Boys and even wear their merch.

Powers

Soul stealing, Teleportation, Illusion creation, Hypnotic voice, Levitation, Immortality, Emotion manipulation, Demonic transformation.