McDonald's K-Pop 'Demon Hunters' Meal Sparks Viral US Frenzy

McDonalds K-Pop Demon Hunters Meal Sparks Viral US Frenzy...

McDonald's has ignited a social media storm in the US by launching a limited-edition "Demon Hunters" meal collaboration with K-pop group ATEEZ. The fast-food promotion, which debuted nationwide on April 1, features special packaging, a purple-themed sauce, and exclusive collectible photocards of the eight-member group.

The unusual partnership went viral after fans noticed the meal's name references ATEEZ's "Demon" performance concept from their 2023 world tour. By midday Tuesday, #DemonHuntersMeal had trended across TikTok and Twitter with over 280,000 mentions, while some locations reported sellouts within hours.

McDonald's confirmed this marks their first US K-pop collaboration since the 2021 BTS Meal. The $8.49 combo includes 10 Chicken McNuggets, fries, a drink, and either "Demon Fire" spicy sauce or "Hunters' Honey" mustard. Limited-edition packaging features manga-style artwork of ATEEZ members as supernatural warriors.

Fans lined up overnight at flagship locations in Los Angeles, New York, and Dallas. "I drove three hours because my local store ran out of photocards," said 19-year-old fan Jessica Molina outside a Chicago McDonald's. The company has not confirmed whether more collectibles will be restocked.

Some conservative groups have criticized the "demon" branding, but McDonald's insists it references ATEEZ's theatrical performances, not occult themes. The Korea Foundation notes this reflects growing cultural influence - K-pop collaborations generated $1.2 billion in US sales last year.

The promotion runs through April 14, though analysts predict items may sell out sooner. McDonald's stock rose 2.3% in early trading as the buzz grew, demonstrating the power of K-pop partnerships in the US market.