90. K-Pop Demon Hunters: A Jesuit's Guide to Discernment, Desolation, & Divine Love
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What does a Korean demon-hunting girl group have to do with 500-year-old Catholic spirituality? More than you'd think. "K-Pop Demon Hunters" has become a cultural phenomenon—and according to Jesuit scholastic Andrew Milewski, it's basically an Ignatian fever dream in animated form.
In this episode of Pop Culture Catechism, Mike Tenney sits down with Andrew Milewski (currently teaching in Beirut, Lebanon) to break down the hit series "K-Pop Demon Hunters," exploring how St. Ignatius's tools for discernment show up in unexpected places—from anime girl groups battling demons to your everyday life decisions.
What We Discuss:
"K-Pop Demon Hunters" plot breakdown - Girl group members hunt demons while navigating fame, friendship, and spiritual warfare
Ignatian spirituality 101 - What are consolation and desolation, and how do they help you hear God's voice?
The dark night of the soul - When Roomie sings "I'm seeing the beauty of the broken glass," she's living the paschal mystery
Why the lyrics are "insidious" but the songs are "bops" - How pop culture can be both entertaining and spiritually profound
Discernment in real life - How Andrew uses Ignatian tools to make major life decisions (spoiler: it works)
The Suscipe prayer - Offering everything back to God instead of grasping for control
K-Pop's global phenomenon - Why Korean culture and spirituality resonate with Western audiences
Songs Discussed: "Golden," "Your Idol," "Takedown," "Soda Pop"
Why This Episode Matters:
Whether you're trying to figure out if you should take that job, end that relationship, or just understand why you feel anxious and disconnected from God—Ignatian discernment offers practical tools for hearing God's voice in the noise. And if a demon-hunting K-Pop group can embody these ancient spiritual truths, maybe there's hope for all of us.
Perfect for: K-Pop fans, Catholics struggling with big decisions, anyone interested in Ignatian spirituality, youth ministers looking for cultural entry points, or people who just love when faith and pop culture collide.
Guest: Andrew Milewski, SJ - Jesuit scholastic teaching in Beirut, Lebanon (5 years from ordination). Former teacher in Seoul, South Korea. Studied psychology and English, master's in social philosophy. Contributor to The Jesuit Post.
Resources Mentioned:
The Jesuit Post (blog)
A Do-It-At-Home Retreat: The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola by Andre Ravier, SJ
Discerning the Will of God: An Ignatian Guide to Christian Decision Making by Timothy M. Gallagher
