The significance of Honmun for Korean Spiritualism in KPOP DEMON HUNTERS
Previously, I wrote how this movie did an homage to the history of Korean music/pop when they were narrating the history of the demon hunters here. In this post I wanted to talk about an important plot element from this movie, the 혼문 (honmoon). For the record this term is NOT an actual thing in Korean spiritualism/shamanism/folklore, but it definitely was made with some aspects of that in mind.
FYI: Some stuff I might propose is pure speculation based on my own knowledge of Korean culture, and not something anyone in the KDH crew has said officially, so take it with a grain of salt. If there is any official interviews/info that do come out later down the line, the post will be updated. Also possible mild movie spoilers
First the word 혼문 itself is significant. It seems to be a mix of two different words: 영혼 (yeonghon) which is the word for soul/spirit, and 문 (moon) which is commonly the word for door (sometimes can be used to mean gate). So the literal meaning of honmoon is the "Soul door/gate." And it works, because the hunters sing to emotionally connect with their audience's/fans' souls, creating a mystical barrier to shut out the demons.
Using the 무당 (mudang) trio to demonstrate the early instances of making this honmoon with the hunters, as mentioned in my prev post, is not just coincidence. Mudang were important figures in Korean shamanism (Muism) and performed various rituals/rites for all kinds of people, many serving as spiritual guardians in their villages/community. The rites are called 굿 (gut) and the purpose of them range widely (there are also regional differences).
A common theme with the gut is that these are never PERMANENT. A good example is the 도당굿 (Dodang-gut), usually an annual/semiannual rite to ensure a village or a community continues to maintain its well-being and prosperity. This is no different from how each generation of demon hunters must perform to maintain the honmoon, otherwise their purpose would have been fulfilled by the first generation and ended there.
Speaking of how there are multiple generations of demon hunters, even that seems to be covered in the movie too. A woman can be a mudang via two ways: inheriting the business by bloodline aka 강신무 (Kangshinmu), or being initiated into it aka 세습무 (Seseummu). In the current generation of demon hunters we see today, Rumi is a reference to the Kangshinmu (her mother was the prev demon hunter) while Zoey and Mira are referring to Seseummu (recruited/trained by Celine). But the mudang today don't really differentiate themselves by what type they are so its a fun little detail.
Going back to the honmoon, the movie seems to have a general set of colors to represent the honmoon's condition. By default it's blue, gold at the height of its power/function, and purple/red when weakened. I am not sure if the colors have much significance other than simple association (i.e. weakness is depicted in purple/reds since Gwi-ma and the demon underworld is that color) outside of gold, which associated with high status (but that's not just a Korea thing tbh). The one thing that is neat is at the end of the movie, the coveted "gold" color that Rumi and the girls wanted to achieve to reinforce the honmoon is not present at all. It is a wholly different iridescent color.
This too is significant since their performances, which are like big musical gut to help their world from demons, is breaking away from the usual tradition of hiding their insecurities and identities for duty. Hilariously enough muism thrive on building new traditions too. Mudang and muism are not like other organized religion in that there is no central leadership or clergy, and there is a lot of different variations on how a gut is performed. So a dodang-gut performed in the Chosun era would not be the same as a dodang-gut that is performed Korean village today, which would still have their own regional differences.
So whether on purpose or not, Kpop Demon Hunters really feel like a homage to not just kpop but aspects of Korean culture that is not as well liked (throughout history Muism has been shunned by other popular religions like Christianity and even by the government, which does affect how it is percieved publically) or known. Hope you enjoyed this post and let me know what else you might want, or point out any errors in my writing!
I'm sorry, the charlie kirk situation just keeps getting funnier.
- gun nut insists 6 year olds getting shot in elementary school are a necessary sacrifice so that we can all have the 2nd amendment *gets shot at a school
- gun nut literally advocated for public executions to make kids stronger *gets shot in public in front of a bunch of students
- gun nut was an open racist, who constantly tried to incite race wars *got shot by a white guy in the whitest state in america
- gun nut insists empathy is fake *no empathy for him online, except from the same people who gleefully mock the deaths of trans people and Democrat politicians and anyone they don't like on a daily basis
- GUN. NUT. *gets shot and killed instantly by a gun.
For the @officialthiamlibrary Thiam Big Bang 2025 I give you Theo Swift
Theo is an AMAB gender fluid pop star and global phenomenon on the biggest tour in history. He's also gone through the biggest heartbreak of his life and is ready to find joy.
Liam is a successful actor with a crush, a friendship bracelet and a dream. When that dream doesn't go as planned he gets butthurt on his podcast.
Back by popular demand, it’s time for another Big Bang Event! This time, we’ve got a brand new theme for you all to sink your claws into.
The Theme
'The Big Bad Wolf' is the theme of this year’s Big Bang. In your fic, we would love to see Thiam partnering up against some kind of enemy. Is it the return of Monroe and her hunters? A new supernatural threat? An alternate universe with its own monsters? There are no wrong answers here!
How does this work?
Writers will create an original Theo/Liam work. In a few weeks, writers will submit summaries of their works. During this time, there will be a claiming phase for artists to claim a writer’s summary that they want to create art for. You will then work with your writer/artist/beta to create amazing works for the Big Bang!
What are the rules?
There is a minimum word limit of 10k. There is no maximum word count. We also ask that you produce a finished work by the final deadline.
Artists, create to your heart’s content using whatever medium you prefer. These include, but are not limited to: music playlists, video edits, aesthetics, moodboards, drawings, etc. The world is your oyster!
The main pairing must exclusively be Thiam - poly relationships including Thiam are not allowed. Side pairings/relationships are still allowed, but Thiam must be the central focus and endgame pairing of your fic.
Your fic can be any genre; canon, AU, etc. The floor is yours to write what you want, as long as it includes a Big Bad Wolf! Take your prompt and run wild with it!
Your entry for the Big Bang cannot be a work that is already published in any form. This must be a creation from scratch! Sequels to existing fics are allowed, as long as it has not already been published.
During the Big Bang, works must not be made public before final posting dates. You can of course talk with your friends, beta, and artist, for plot points, ideas, etc. Please also keep details about your story a secret during the course of the event. This keeps it a fun surprise for everyone when works are posted!
Work together with your partners as you create! This is meant to be a collaborative effort. Artists and authors, please communicate with each other about your vision. The two of you need to work together for this event to be a success for all!
If an author and artist wish to pair up on their own and create, please do so! The more participants, the merrier! Please make sure that both parties fill out the sign-up sheet for the sake of check-ins.
Betas:
Betas are not required for this event. If you have your own beta, great! Betas usually help with grammar and spelling but can also help with ideas, plot holes, etc. Beta readers, please sign up using the form provided. It will be the same form used for artists and authors.
Cheerleaders:
If you are also interested in being a cheerleader for our writers/artists, please jump right in! Cheerleaders offer encouragement, support, can act as a sounding board for ideas, or just generally chat about Thiam and/or the Big Bang event. You can be a cheerleader and a beta, a cheerleader for an artist, author or both. It will be the same form used for artists and authors.
A friend and I already have an idea for a fanfic/fanart collaboration - do we still have to go through the traditional sign up?
The Big Bang is the perfect occasion to do a collab! The sign-up form is adapted to these situations. So, yes, we do ask that you fill out the sign up form and state that you are partnered already. Artists will not receive the prompt bank in this case. You will still need to take part in check ins so that we know you are on track for posting dates.
Can I sign up with a co-author?
Yes! When filling out the sign up form, please state your co-author and ask them to submit a form as well.
Can I sign up as a writer AND an artist?
Yes you can! But please make sure you can fulfill the responsibilities you’re signing up for. Please ensure you have time to complete your fic and create art for the writer you are paired up with.
What happens if there is an uneven number of writers and artists?
We will have an option for artists/authors to do a second pairing, and advertise for pinch hitters if needed. We will do everything we can to ensure that every prompt has both a writer and an artist so everyone can participate in this event.
Checkpoints:
We will send out reminder emails during each checkpoint. These will be gentle reminders, used for encouragement and motivation, to check in with you in your writing process. The first mandatory checkpoint will be June 29th, where we will ask for confirmation that writer and artist partners have been in contact with each other. The second mandatory checkpoint will be July 27th, and the final mandatory checkpoint will be August 30th, where writers and artists must confirm you are on track for finishing your work by the posting week.
What if I need to drop out?
We know real life can get in the way sometimes. If you need to drop out, can’t meet the deadline, etc. please contact the mods ASAP (preferably no later than the second mandatory check-in on July 27th so we can find a pinch hitter).
Posting/ Submissions:
There will be a Thiam Big Bang collection on AO3 to post all of your works. If you don’t have an AO3 account, you can sign up here. Please be aware that it might take several weeks to get an invitation to create an account. If you are a member of the OTL Discord, post and ask members if they have any invitations they can share with you as many of us have multiple we can give out. Submissions are posted on AO3, and it must be a masterpost of the fic and art. The collection will be unrevealed and moderated to ensure that posts are not revealed before the final due date.
Tumblr Posts:
When posting on tumblr, please use #thiambigbang25 and #officialthiamlibrary in your first five tags so we can find it and reblog your works. Again, when posting on Tumblr, it must be a masterpost with both the fic and art. Please DO NOT post your final works before the final deadline. And of course, if tumblr is acting wonky and your posts are still not showing up in the tags, you can always mention us in the post, submit it here, or email us at [email protected].
Schedule:
Sign-Ups Open: May 7
Sign-Ups Close: May 16
Writer Summaries Due: June 1
Artist Claiming: June 7
Partnership Emails Sent: June 9
First Mandatory Writer and Artist Check-In: June 29
Second Mandatory Writer and Artist Check-In: July 27
Final Mandatory Writer and Artist Check-In: August 30
Posting: September 7-13
Sign Up Here:
‘The Big Bad Wolf’ is the theme of this year’s Big Bang. In your fic, we would love to see Thiam partnering up against some kind of enemy. I
a story where the two die in the final battle but liam doesn't realize he died so theo asks for lydia's help to be able to communicate with liam
if it helps, I have as extra information Scott moving with the pack to a house away from the city, lydia is the only one who can see liam and scott has a memorial for all his friends of pack that already die
I remember this fic so vividly and had zero luck finding it. Casting a wider net!
There will be millions of actions like this over the coming years. An important thing to remember is that for them to work (anywhere, not just libraries) is people absolutely can’t announce that this is what they are doing.
Not seeing constant acts of resistance doesn’t mean it isn’t happening all around you all the time. Some very effective methods require silence and secrecy.
well 🧍♀️ as a reminder this blog is NOT a safe space for trump supporters but it IS a safe place for women, queers, trans ppl, people of color, undocumented people, and any marginalized group.
Earlier I was scrolling Reddit and I come across a post in r/shrooms, a sub reddit dedicated to psychadelic mushrooms and frequently featuring entries from users who are posting during a trip.
A guy posts, freaking out, that the delivery person who dropped off his food had a huge snake wrapped around his neck and the snake was talking to him and tripped him out.
He shares a picture ne sneakily took of the delivery driver.
The delivery driver actually does, in fact, have a live 7 or so foot long boa constrictor draped across his shoulders.
Can you fucking image. Being blasted out of your gourd on hallucinogenic substances, getting a random knock at the door and the guy has a live gigantic snake just chilling. Your head would explode
A soundtrack for the Thiam fic of the same title by @equallyloyalandlethal (TooCreative4Life) for the @officialthiamlibrary 2024 Thiam Big Bang event... ok it's kind of a soundtrack for the whole Brave, Intrepid, and Then Some... series BUT The City of Gilded Wolves is the current part
Bad Moon A Rising - Mourning Ritual: This is the soundtrack to the prologue. It is also Marcel/The Surgeon’s theme song
How Far I'll Go - No Resolve: Liam’s personal theme before he convinces Mason to stowaway
You're Gonna Go Far Kid - The Offspring: Theo’s personal theme for his time with the doctors and getting Liam and Mason to the city
El Dorado - Elton John: Ok this was just playing in my head as they made their way through the jungle
Psych Theme Song: Liam and Mason stumbling into the half hearted con and no one believing it but going with it anyway
Home - Nick Jonas: Liam finding his home with the gilded wolves.
Crawling - Linkin Park: Theo’s angsty existential crisis
Punching Bag - Acoustic - Set It Off: Theo’s fight song.
I Can See For Miles - The Who: Stiles' theme song.
Criminal - Disturbed: Theo at his absolute lowest.
Here's To The Heartbreakers: when Liam realizes how he's been manipulated.
Til my Heart Stops Too Far Moon: Theo’s song towards the end
Sweet Sacrifice - Evanescence: Tara’s song
Devotion - Hurts: Thiam’s Song
Fools Lauren Aquilina: Theo and Tara’s song for the epilogue
Running Home To You By Grant Gustin: For the very special Thiam moment in the epilogue. If this were a movie this is the song that would play first in the credits.
Artwork for High Dive by @lovelylittlegrim for @officialthiamlibrary's 2024 Thiam Big Bang
Summary:
“Are you crazy,” Liam asks him suddenly.
Theo blinks. “Me, you’re asking if I’m crazy. You’re the idiot that jumped off a roof.”
Liam steps closer, voice hushed but high in his horror. “What if someone saw you — what if someone saw me?”
“Everyone saw you.”
—
Or, the fic where one drunken moment of insanity at a frat party leads to something Liam hadn’t been expecting… leads to someone Liam hadn’t been expecting.
Read on AO3
I Don't Know What I'm Doing, But I'm Ok With That @bookwyrm07 - Tumblr Blog | Tumgag
