The world has woken up spiritually. If you haven’t already clocked it, secularism failed and atheism is in the ditch. The global conversation is in full flow between cultures, religions and influences. The youth, students and young adults of today are just as likely to listen to music from South Korea as they are from South Manchester. They may feel a deeper resonance with the pluralistic philosophies of Buddhism than the empty atheism of Nietzsche as previous generations did.  

Even a decade ago, to most students the idea of spirits, demons or simply the existence of another realm was confined to Harry Potter books and the irrational. Today, almost everyone believes in the existence of something else. They can’t always say what or who it is, but they are convinced that we are not just all that meets the eye. This partly explains the openness we saw in Fusion’s survey and research earlier this year and as outlined in the “Quiet Revival”. 

While people are waking up spiritually, they are not always finding Jesus. It would be naive to assume that it’s all hope and excitement without a cautionary note of what else could attract their gaze. The enemy will change tactics. Hence the rise of manifesting, crystals, tarot, interest in other religions and so on.

Enter the cultural arena K-Pop Demon Hunters. This is a South Korean export and has been a huge success on Netflix. At the time of writing, 3 of the top 10 in the UK Single Chart are from this series! That’s serious cultural impact. In the song ‘Your Idol” by fictional boy band ‘Saja Boys’ some very dark concepts are expressed.

The song opens with the refrain “Pray for me now” with the Latin "Dies irae illa vos solve in favilla maledictus erus in flamas eternum" chanting in the background. This a reference to the ‘Dies Irae’, a medieval Latin chant describing the Last Judgement, though the lyrics have been adapted. A rough translation of the lyrics would be "The day of wrath, that day, the cursed master in eternal flames will dissolve you all into ashes". It goes on to say, “Know I’m the only one right now. I will love you more when it all burns down. More than power. More than gold. Yeah, you gave me your heart. Now I’m here for your soul.” Alarming stuff. It goes on to say, “ You know I’m thе only one who’ll love your sins. Feel the way my voicе gets underneath your skin” and “Living in your mind now. Too late ’cause you’re mine now. I will make you free, When you’re all part of me.” 

This is demonic possession being described in its plainest form. It is open spirituality. You have a soul, it is purchasable, I want to consume it and I will control you. 

As a disclaimer, I realise that dark sentiments are sung by all cultures and I’m not blaming this on any one culture particularly. It’s part of art to say and sing things that stretch us and ask existential questions. Also, I get that this is just a pop song from a cartoon and I also know it’s a self-referencing, ironic take on the music industry. Take on surface level if you want to.

However, I am simply raising the question, do we know what anthems are being sung over the young generation? What do they signify? Do we care? Are we paying attention? Are we hearing the deep cry for help in a generation who are waking spiritually? 

They need to be introduced to Jesus Christ as their Lord and saviour. Only through him will they find eternal peace and be loved by their heavenly Father. Only in Him can they find true safe refuge for their souls. Only Jesus is greater than the powers at work in the world which scare them. He has overcome the world. 

I’m not trying to be cynical and suspicious of every piece of music that isn’t Christian. I don’t want to go full Ned Flanders! I’m just suggesting that it’s a key indicator of the open spirituality at play. If it’s OK to sing about demon possession, I don’t think we need to hold back in talking about Jesus.  Let’s be bold and unafraid in sharing the real spiritual hope of Jesus with a younger generation who are simply desperate for something good, meaningful and everlasting.

Full Lyrics

Pray for me now

Pray for me now (Dies irae)

Pray for me now (Illa)

Pray for me now (Vos solve in)

Pray for me now (Favilla)

Pray for me now (Maledictus)

Pray for me now (Erus)

Pray for me now (In flamas)

Pray for me now (Eternum) 

I’ll be your idol 

 

Keeping you in check, Keeping you obsessed  

Play me on repeat, kkeuteopsi in your head

Anytime it hurts. Play another verse. I can be your  sanctuary 

 

Know I’m the only one right now. I will love you more when it all burns down 

More than power. More than gold

Yeah, you gave me your heart. Now I’m here for your soul 

 

I’m thе only one who’ll love your sins. Feel the way my voicе gets underneath your skin 

 

Listen ’cause I’m preachin’ to the choir  (Pray for me now, Pray for me now, NOW) 

Can I get the mic a little higher? Gimme your desire  

I can be the star you rely on. nae hwanghore chwihae, you can’t look away

Don’t you know I’m here to save you 

Now we runnin’ wild.  Yeah, I’m all you need, I’ma be your idol 

 

Uh, bichinaneun fame, gyesok oechyeo, I’m your idol

Thank you for the pain ’cause it got me going viral

Uh, yeah, natji anneun fever, makin’ you a believer nareul wihae neon jonjaehaneun aideul Don’t let it show, keep it all inside. The pain and the shame, keep it outta sight

Your obsession feeds our connection. I sungan, give me all your attention 

 

You know I’m thе only one who’ll love your sins

Feel the way my voicе gets underneath your skin 

 

Listen ’cause I’m preachin’ to the choir. Can I get the mic a little higher? 

Gimme your desire. I can be the star you rely on.

nae hwanghore chwihae, you can’t look away. Don’t you know I’m here to save you 

Now we runnin’ wild, Yeah, I’m all you need, I’ma be your idol 

 

Living in your mind now (Pray. For. Me. Now.)

Too late ’cause you’re mine now (All. You. See. Now) 

I will make you free.  When you’re all part of me 

(Listen ’cause I’m) Preachin' to the choir. Can I get the mic a little higher?

Gimme your desire. Once we set your world on fire 

Nae hwanghore chwihae, you can’t look away 

No one is coming to save you 

Now we runnin’ wild.  You’re down on your knees,  I’ma be your idol