[K‑Pop Demon Hunters] Why do the 'Saja Boys' have a lion logo? 🦁
In the Netflix anime K‑Pop Demon Hunters, the rival boy band Saja Boys use a literal lion emblem—but the Korean word 사자 has deeper cultural and linguistic layers. Want to know how this ties into Korean folklore and pop culture? Let’s dive in!
1️⃣ 🦁 사자 (獅子) = It's literally Lion
Hanja: 獅子
Meaning: The animal lion
Commonly symbolizes strength, courage, and pride in many cultures.
In English, it simply means lion.
👉 But when you look at the meaning and concept of the Saja Boys in the story, the connection to a lion feels a bit weak.
So why a lion? 🤔
2️⃣ 사자: Korea’s psychopomp — “Jeoseung Saja”
저승사자 (死者) = grim reaper or psychopomp, guiding souls to the afterlife.
In Korean mythology and drama, the 저승사자 appears as a symbolic figure of transition and death.
📺Lee Dong‑wook portrayed the Grim Reaper in the hit drama “Goblin” [도깨비]
📺In SWF3, Team Korea-BUMSUP recently showcased a Mega Crew mission with a Grim Reaper theme.
Want to learn more about cultural wordplay like this?
Let me show you how to unpack Korean idioms, puns, and names using K-drama, variety shows, and lyrics in my Special K-Culture Korean classes—fun, engaging, and full of cultural insight!
