American Born Indian Characters in the KPDH context + songs and lyrics that fit them
The K-Pop Demon Hunters phenomenon is still going strong, so I've decided to hop on the bandwagon and share the KPDH characters' similarities with my ABI main three, and break down this new context in this way-too-organised post. (Spoilers for American Born Indian and KPop Demon Hunters below—proceed with caution!)
Jay’s journey in American Born Indian is, to me, Zoey’s backstory before she joined Huntr/x. Both tried to reconcile their dual American and Indian/Korean identities, and when they do, it brings a new perspective to their lives. Zoey’s realisation manifests itself in her lyrics, style and music (her American rap style in K-pop, for example). We don’t see Jay’s dual culture influence any of his creative work—yet—but it becomes an important part of himself beyond the book as he grows older.
I lived two lives, tried to play both sides / But I couldn't find my own place (‘Golden’)
Between imposter and this monster, I been lost inside my head/ Ain't no choice when all these voices keep me pointing towards no end (‘Free’)
I tried to fix it, I tried to fight it / My head was twisted, my heart divided (‘What It Sounds Like’)
Ruchi and Mira are probably the most similar. They both rebel against strict family rules and want to live their own life. The difference is that Ruchi’s parents, even if takes them time to understand, accept her choice to be herself and break free of the boundaries set because of her gender; Mira, on the other hand, cuts herself off from her family completely because they didn’t accept her completely, labelling her as a ‘problem child’. As a result, they stay close to their friends who see them for who they really are, considering them real family. They aren’t afraid to argue and stand up for themselves and others, but tensions within their friend groups leave them shaken and afraid of losing such trust and bonds.
‘How It’s Done’ and ‘Takedown’ are my girl’s ANTHEMS, no doubt
Called a problem child 'cause I got too wild / But now that's how I'm getting paid, 끝없이 on stage (‘Golden’)
We're shattering the silence, we're rising, defiant (‘What It Sounds Like’)
You would have guessed by now who Aravind is most like in KPDH. Him and Rumi have to live with the tragic secrets of their families—for Rumi, it’s her demon dad, and for Aravind, it’s his martyred soldier brother. Over the course of their stories, they reveal these secrets and learn to be their true selves, though their friends’ reactions are very much different. They hate hiding things, but they do it so that people can see them for who they are and not their past. Plus, Aravind and Rumi are incredible singers, and the faces of their respective musical groups. Music provides them solace from their fears and doubts.
I was a ghost, I was alone / 어두워진 앞길속에 (Hah) / Given the throne, I didn't know how to believe (Hah) / I was the queen that I'm meant to be (Ah) // Waited so long to break these walls down / To wake up and feel like me / Put these patterns all in the past now / And finally live like the girl they all see (Golden)
I tried to hide but something broke / I tried to sing, couldn't hit the notes / The words kept catching in my throat / I tried to smile, I was suffocating though / But here with you, I can finally breathe // Why does it feel right every time I let you in? / Why does it feel like I can tell you anything? / All the secrets that keep me in chains // Oh, so take my hand, it's open / What if we heal what's broken? // I couldn't sing, but you give me hope (Free)
The trio’s songs are definitely ‘Golden’ and ‘What It Sounds Like’, and they’d dance to ‘Soda Pop’ and scream ‘Your Idol’ on field trip bus rides
‘Free’ is looking suspiciously like a Jaravind song to me…
Jay’s mom Nitara is a bit Celine-coded, his nani (grandmother) Naina defo gives Bobby vibes
