After becoming one of the trending movies on Netflix, KPop Demon Hunters has many wondering about its details, like what Saja means. Does it hold any significance since it was the name of the rival band, aka Saja Boys? Here are all the details.
What Saja Boys’ name really means in KPop Demon Hunters
The name Saja might sound simple at first, but it holds layers of meaning that perfectly fit the boy band’s identity in KPop Demon Hunters. In Korean, “saja” means lion, a clear nod to power, pride, and fearless energy. It fits the group’s onstage image, which is bold, charismatic, and commanding every moment in the spotlight.
But fans quickly picked up on a second meaning of saja. In Hanja (Chinese characters used in Korean), the word can sometimes be interpreted as the grim reaper, depending on the context. This darker interpretation adds a new but fitting arc to the group’s image. On the surface, the Saja Boys are untamed lions. But underneath, they’re soul-snatching reapers who are dangerous, elusive, and carrying secrets that fans start to understand as the movie goes on.
For more context, this clever dual meaning of Saja isn’t just fan speculation as it ties directly into the KPop Demon Hunters’ theme. The Saja Boys aren’t just global pop idols competing with girl group HUNTR/X for fame. They’re also leading secret lives as demons, blurring the line between right and wrong. Their name reflects that very tension between light and shadow, power and danger.
On a more real-world note, director Maggie Kang confirmed in a June 19 interview with Forbes that the group’s concept was heavily inspired by real K-pop icons like BTS, ATEEZ, Stray Kids, and MONSTA X. Each member has a carefully crafted identity. Jinu, the leader, takes cues from actors Cha Eun-woo and Nam Joo-hyuk. Moreover, the voice cast adds even more flavor to the group, as legendary actor Lee Byung-hun from Squid Game voices the main antagonist, the Demon King Gwi-ma.
All in all, the name Saja isn’t just a catchy group name in KPop Demon Hunters; it serves as a storytelling device.
