If your social media timelines look anything like mine today, they are absolutely flooded with shaky, zoomed-in, incredibly hype footage from Herald Square. The moment the KPop Demon Hunters fandom has been waiting for is finally almost here. Tomorrow, the fictional-turned-reality group HUNTR/X will make history by performing at the 99th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Despite the freezing temperatures this morning, the real-life voices behind the animation—EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and REI AMI—were out on the iconic green street for their final technical rehearsals. Thanks to dedicated fans braving the cold on the sidewalks, we have an early look at what’s to come, and the choreography looks sharper than ever.
It is one thing to see Rumi, Mira, and Zoey fighting demons on Netflix, but seeing the actual vocalists distinctively hitting the “Golden” choreography in formation is something else entirely. Even bundled up in heavy winter gear, the synchronization was undeniable in the leaked clips. It gives us a major hint that they aren’t watering down the intricate moves for the general broadcast audience.
This performance marks a massive cultural splash for the group, putting them on the same lineup as legends like Foreigner and Kool & the Gang. Based on the audio from the fan-captured videos, we can confirm they are performing their chart-topping hit “Golden,” which feels appropriate given the massive scale of the event.
The scale of the production around them looks incredible too. Beyond the girls themselves, keep an eye out for the massive balloons of Derpy Tiger and Sussie. The rehearsal footage shows just how huge that “mid-sized” balloonicle actually is in person, and seeing the K-Pop Demon Hunters characters floating next to the iconic Macy’s star is a surreal moment for the fandom.
If you want to catch the performance live, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade airs tomorrow, Thursday, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on NBC and Peacock. Kpop acts and major balloons usually appear earlier in the broadcast to maximize global viewership, so make sure you have your alarms set.