KPop Demon Hunters: Tiger and Magpie duo was inspired by Korean folk art of kkachi horangi

Dubai, UAE: Netflix's animated musical sensation, KPop Demon Hunters, captivated audiences worldwide and broke viewership and music records. While HUNTR/X and their rival Saja Boys drove the main narrative, two breakout characters stole the spotlight and captured the hearts of fans - "Derpy" the Tiger and "Sussie" the magpie.

Though these names were never revealed in the movie, they are unofficial names given by the crew and embraced by the fandom.

But, there's more to the quirky charm of these cute sidekicks.

Image credit: Honararyreporters.korea.net

The two characters are inspired by a genre of Korean Minhwa folk paintings, called "KKachi Horangi", which depicts magpies and tigers. Kkachi horangi paintings were a satire of the hierarchical structure of Joseon's feudal society.

While the tiger represented authority and the aristocratic yangban (noble class), the dignified magpie represented the common man.

The tiger in the paintings is intentionally given a ridiculous appearance (hence its nickname "idiot tiger" 바보호랑이).

In these historical artworks, the powerful tiger was sometimes portrayed humorously or satirically, reflecting a more approachable or even foolish side, despite its protective symbolism.

Derpy Tiger: The lovably awkward courier

Derpy is an oversized tiger with glowing yellow eyes and a distinctive snaggletooth grin. While the traditional Minhwa tigers were typically gray, the film's production designer, Helen Chen, gave Derpy Tiger a magical blue hue.

It serves as a courier, delivering messages between the protagonist Rumi (of HUNTR/X) and the demon leader Jinu (of the Saja Boys).

Derpy's introduction, where he comically struggles to right an overturned flowerpot, immediately endeared it to viewers. The character's "derpy" moniker stems from its clumsy actions and bewildered expressions, a direct nod to the "idiot tiger" (babo horangi).

Director Maggie Kang noted that the way the tiger is depicted in Minhwa is "very goofy," which led to the character's "derpy" nickname.

Derpy's popularity is evident in the high demand for its plushie, which quickly became a top-selling item on the Netflix shop.

Sussie Magpie: The six-eyed, hat-loving companion

Accompanying Derpy the tiger, is Sussie the magpie. This magpie, or kkachi, is a direct reference to the traditional Korean symbol of good news and auspicious tidings. However, the film's magpie comes with a unique twist: it possesses six eyes (three on each side of its head), indicating its otherworldly origin.

The additional eyes, whose specific origin remains a mystery even to the creators, serve to visually differentiate sussie from an ordinary bird, hinting at its connection to the supernatural realm.

Sussie has a peculiar fondness for hats, particularly a tall, jaunty gat similar to those worn by the Saja Boys.

A humorous moment in the film reveals that Jinu originally made the hat for the tiger, but Sussie continually steals it.

It was confirmed in an interview that while Derpy and Sussie "live between the two worlds", they are not demons. They were formerly Jinu's pets and are the only supernatural creatures in the movie.

Together, the Derpy Tiger and Sussie Magpie provide comedic relief and add a unique visual connection to Korean folklore, enriching the world of KPop Demon Hunters beyond its main musical and action sequences.

Their unexpected charm has made them unofficial stars of the movie.