The 5 Real-Life K-Pop Idols And Myths Who Inspired The Saja Boys Of 'KPop: Demon Hunters'

Since the animated film KPop: Demon Hunters hit screens in 2025, the enigmatic rival boy band, the Saja Boys, have captivated audiences with their slick choreography, haunting music, and sinister secret. The question on every K-Pop fan's mind, particularly as of today, December 12, 2025, is: Who were these dark, charismatic characters—Jinu, Abby, Mystery, Romance, and Baby—truly based on?

The answer is a fascinating blend of ancient Korean folklore and the biggest names in the modern K-Pop industry. The creators, including director Maggie Kang, have confirmed that the group’s concept is a direct mash-up of the Korean Grim Reaper and a curated selection of real-life idols, actors, and specific music video concepts. This deep dive reveals the exact inspirations for the demon-idols and the talented voice cast who brought them to life.

The Saja Boys: Fictional Group Profile & Voice Cast

The Saja Boys are the main antagonists of the film, a K-Pop boy group whose members are secretly demons, or more accurately, reincarnated versions of the Jeoseung Saja. Their mission is to steal the souls of their fans, contrasting sharply with the heroic girl group, Huntrix. Their name itself, "Saja," is a direct reference to the mythological Korean grim reapers. This dual identity—pop star on the surface, demon underneath—is the core of their appeal and their real-world inspiration.

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The Saja Boys Voice Talent & Cast

The group was brought to life by a mix of established actors and professional K-Pop singers, providing both the speaking and singing voices for the characters:

• Jinu (Leader): Voiced by actor Ahn Hyo-seop.
• Mystery Saja: Singing voice provided by former U-KISS member Kevin Woo.
• Romance Saja: Singing voice provided by samUIL Lee.
• Abby Saja: Voiced by SungWon Cho (speaking) and Andrew Choi (singing).
• Baby Saja: Voiced by Alan Lee.

Unmasking the Real-Life Inspirations for Each Saja Boys Member

While K-Pop groups like Tomorrow X Together (TXT), Stray Kids, ATEEZ, and BIGBANG were cited as general influences on the Saja Boys' overall concept and stage presence, the creators were very specific about the idols and actors who inspired the individual members' visual and personality archetypes.

1. Jinu (The Leader & Visual)

Jinu, the charismatic leader of the Saja Boys, was designed to embody the ultimate K-Drama heartthrob and K-Pop visual. His character design is a direct composite of several prominent figures, giving him a multi-faceted appeal.

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• Primary Inspirations: Actor and ASTRO member Cha Eun-woo and actor Nam Joo-hyuk. Director Maggie Kang specifically mentioned modeling Jinu's handsome, multi-faceted look after these two stars.
• Secondary Inspirations: Other sources cite Jinu's dance and emotional presence as being inspired by EXO's Kai, a renowned dancer in the K-Pop world, and Monsta X's Shownu for his overall physique and demeanor.

2. Baby Saja (The Maknae & Rapper)

Despite his name, Baby Saja is a powerful rapper with a surprisingly deep voice. His character was designed to capture the "maknae" (youngest member) archetype, known for their cute, cherubic visuals that often hide a fierce stage persona.

• Direct Inspiration: BTS's Jimin. The creators confirmed that Jimin was used as a direct reference for Baby Saja's concept art, particularly his famously soft features and his iconic blue hair era.
• Archetype: He embodies the "baby" or "maknae" role, a staple in K-Pop groups, designed to appeal to fans' nurturing instincts, even though he is a demon.

3. Romance Saja (The Romantic & Vocalist)

Romance Saja is the group's vocalist and is characterized by his long, flowing hair and dreamy, passionate aesthetic. He is the member who embodies the "boyfriend material" fantasy for fans.

• Direct Inspiration: TXT's Yeonjun. Specifically, his look from the "Blue Hour" music video was cited as a key visual inspiration for Romance's signature style and romantic vibe.
• Visuals: His long-haired, ethereal appearance is a direct nod to certain high-concept, fantasy-driven K-Pop looks that are popular in the industry.

The Mythological Roots of the Saja Boys: Jeoseung Saja

Beyond the K-Pop idol references, the most crucial and unique inspiration for the Saja Boys is rooted in Korean mythology, providing the foundation for their demonic identities and their name.

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The Korean Grim Reaper: Jeoseung Saja

The word "Saja" (사자) in their name is short for *Jeoseung Saja* (저승사자), which literally translates to "Underworld Messenger."

• Role in Mythology: The Jeoseung Saja are traditional Korean psychopomps—supernatural beings whose job is to escort the souls of the recently deceased from the mortal world to the afterlife (Jeoseung). They are typically depicted wearing black *dopo* (traditional Korean overcoats) and black *gat* (hats).
• Demon Form Inspiration: The Saja Boys' demon forms in the film are a modernized, stylized version of the Jeoseung Saja's traditional appearance. This explains why they look different from the other, more monstrous demons in the film; they are not generic demons but specific mythological entities.

The Darker K-Pop Influence

The blend of mythology and K-Pop is most evident in their concept. The creators explicitly drew on the darker, more dramatic aesthetics of the industry:

• BTS's "Blood, Sweat, & Tears" MV: Director Maggie Kang confirmed that the music video for BTS's "Blood, Sweat, & Tears" was a major source of inspiration for the Saja Boys' demonic looks and overall dark, high-art concept. The MV's themes of temptation, sin, and dramatic, dark visuals perfectly mirrored the Saja Boys' narrative.
• The Shadow Mirror: The Saja Boys function as a "shadow mirror" of the K-Pop boy band phenomenon—a reflection of everything intoxicating, mysterious, and potentially dangerous about the intense idol-fan relationship.

The Remaining Members: Abby and Mystery Saja

While Jinu, Baby, and Romance have direct idol counterparts, the inspirations for Abby and Mystery Saja are based more on established K-Pop archetypes.

4. Abby Saja (The 'Muscular Guy' & Dancer)

Abby Saja is often portrayed as the group's main dancer and the member with the most physically imposing presence, fitting the "muscle" or "beast idol" archetype common in K-Pop.

• Archetype Inspiration: He was designed to embody the "muscular guy" archetype.
• Fan Guesses: Although no specific idol has been officially named, fans frequently speculate that Abby Saja's powerful stage presence and physique were inspired by ATEEZ's San or Monsta X's Shownu, both known for their strong stage presence and muscular frames.

5. Mystery Saja (The Enigma)

Mystery Saja lives up to his name, being the most enigmatic member of the group, often serving as the lead vocalist.

• Concept: His character is designed to be the mysterious, quiet type—a classic K-Pop trope that adds an element of intrigue and depth to the group's dynamic.
• Voice Talent: His singing voice was famously provided by Kevin Woo, a former K-Pop idol himself, adding a layer of authenticity to the character's vocal performance.

In conclusion, the Saja Boys are a masterclass in modern character design, seamlessly blending the ancient, dark allure of the Jeoseung Saja with the hyper-modern, glamorous world of K-Pop. Their characters are a direct homage to the biggest stars of the industry, from the visuals of Cha Eun-woo and Nam Joo-hyuk to the endearing charm of BTS's Jimin and the fashion-forward style of TXT's Yeonjun, making them one of the most talked-about fictional groups in recent memory.