KPop Demon Hunters has put its mark on everything from the Academy Awards to the World Cup, and now the film’s characters are coming to Magic: The Gathering. As part of the Halloween-focused Secret Lair: Corn Maze Superdrop, the Secret Lair x KPop Demon Hunters drop isn’t just bringing us our favorite (and attractive Saja Boys), but it’s fitting the theme and reimagining key Magic: The Gathering cards with the KPop Demon Hunters flavor.
Secret Lair x KPop Demon Hunters brings new art treatments to Magic: The Gathering that embrace the Saja boys’ handsomeness, the romance between Jinu and Rumi, Huntrix’s ferocity, Rumi’s vulnerability, and even the animated film’s comedy. But it’s the official description of the drop that has me more than excited:
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How It’s Done brings the global pop culture phenomenon to Secret Lair with cards full of iconic music, friendship, demon battles, and supernatural stage presence. The drop captures the award-winning film’s vibrant world and high-energy fandom, as fans discover the best way to seal the Honmoon. And this may not be the last appearance from HUNTR/X and the Saja Boys; they have a habit of showing up wherever the fans are…
Does this mean we’re getting a Universes Beyond Set?
It’s this last line, “And this may not be the last appearance from HUNTR/X and the Saja Boys; they have a habit of showing up wherever the fans are…” that has me excited. While I’m not interested in gendering any IP, you can’t ignore target audiences. This Secret Lair drop stands appeal to Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters’ target audience: young girls.
That said, as a global sensation, the film’s all-ages appeal will speak to players of any age and gender. But for me, it’s a tip of the cap I can’t help but be excited about, because it gives parents a way to get their daughters into Magic: The Gathering and highlights the important role women play in Magic’s success.
While the tease at the end may just be setting up more Secret Lair collaborations, Secret Lair x KPop Demon Hunters wouldn’t be the first time Wizards of the Coast began a collab with an IP only to bring it to market as Universes Beyond later on. Steeped in Korean folklore, the world of KPop Demon Hunters isn’t just HUNTR/X, it’s the lineages they’re connected to, and let’s not get started on the equipment types we’d be able to get with a full set.
Whatever Wizards of the Coast has planned, the storytelling in these cards alone shows why getting more feels natural. And with a sequel film already confirmed, the stars may just be aligning. You can read more about the cards’ inspiration below, based on the film.
A deeper look at Secret Lair x KPop Demon Hunters
Whether you’re looking to show your fandom for Netflix’s most successful animated film or get the Secret Lair drop because someone in your life loves the film, here’s exactly what to expect.
Card List:
- 1x Dawn’s Truce
- 1x Unbreakable Formation
- 1x Freed from the Real
- 1x Swan Song, 1x Demonic Counsel
- 1x Tempt with Immortality
- 1x Underworld Breach
With “Demonic Counsel,” the Secret Lair drop uses Jinu’s persuasion throughout the film to get Rumi to accept her demon side and go against her calling as a Hunter. But we also get “Tempt with Immortality,” which uses Jinu’s pact with Gwi-ma to be one of his servants, giving up his life and family for power and servitude.
And to honor his romance with Rumi, “Freed from the Real” shows the couple in moonlight with the flavor text “That’s the funny thing about hope. Nobody gets to decide if you feel it. That choice belongs to you.”
As for Rumi, we see three sides of her character journey. “Underworld Breach” pays homage to Rumi’s demonic awakening in the film, when she can no longer hide it from those around her, and to the Honmoon at its weakest, as the Saja Boys took the souls of their audience.
“Unbreakable Formation” focuses on the power Rumi, Zoey, and Mira have together and the importance of putting friendship above all else; “Dawn’s Truce” is the next step in the film’s finale. With hexproof and the golden hue, this card reflects Rumi’s power once she’s shared every part of herself with her friends and received the support and love she deserves.
Finally, there is “Swan Song,” which is just funny, just like the little three-eyed bird in a hat in the film.
