Characters from Netflix’s hit animation “K-Pop Demon Hunters” (케데헌) made a dazzling appearance at this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, capturing the attention of millions of viewers around the world.
Celebrating its 99th year, the iconic American holiday parade returned to Manhattan on November 27 (local time), where giant character balloons floated along a 4 km route — and among them was Duffy, the beloved tiger character from the Korean animation.
A Historic First for K-animation at America’s Biggest Parade
U.S. broadcaster NBC highlighted the moment, reporting that the adorable duo from the series — Duffy and the three-eyed magpie Seo-ssi — officially joined the parade lineup for the first time.
Ahead of the event, Sony Pictures Animation teased the debut on social media, and hype quickly built among global fans. When the massive balloons finally rose between New York City skyscrapers, parade-goers — children and adults alike — cheered and rushed to take photos.
OST Artists Open the Parade With ‘Golden’
Before the parade kicked off, Korean-American singers Jae Lee, Audrey Nuna, and Rae Ami — the performers behind the film’s OST — opened the event with a live performance of the track “Golden.”
Their appearance, paired with the presence of Korean cultural characters at the parade, marked a meaningful moment for the growing influence of K-content in the United States.
Global Characters Share the Spotlight
Alongside the “K-Pop Demon Hunters” characters, this year’s parade showcased a lineup of globally loved icons including:
- Spider-Man
- Buzz Lightyear
- Super Mario
- Minions
- SpongeBob
- Pikachu
- Shrek
- La Bubu
Massive balloons drifted between the towering buildings of Manhattan, creating breathtaking visuals and delivering unforgettable memories for families gathered along the route.
A Powerful Moment for K-Content in Global Pop Culture
The participation of “K-Pop Demon Hunters” characters in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is being seen as a milestone — a strong signal of how Korean creative content continues to expand its presence in global pop culture.
On social media, reactions poured in:
- “Duffy’s balloon was the cutest this year!”
- “I can’t believe 케데헌 made it to Macy’s Parade.”
- “K-content is truly everywhere now.”
With enthusiastic response from fans worldwide, anticipation is building for future appearances of Korean animations and global content in major international celebrations.