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This collaboration is bringing a new meaning to “Golden” Arches.
On Tuesday, McDonald’s announced a new collaboration with Netflix’s Academy Award-winning movie, “KPop Demon Hunters.”
The partnership features two all-new meals for adults inspired by the film’s rival KPop groups, HUNTR/X and the Saja Boys, as well as a new McFlurry.
According to McDonald’s, the campaign also brings flavors from McDonald’s restaurants in South Korea.
“Everything we do at McDonald’s is for the fans, and no one can relate to that more than Netflix and KPop Demon Hunters,” Alyssa Buetikofer, Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer at McDonald’s, said in a statement.
“Big things happen when you bring two massive fandoms together, and this partnership was a natural fit. We found authentic ways to unite our iconic worlds — inviting HUNTR/X and Saja Boys fans into the rivalry in ways that feel true to the film and unmistakably McDonald’s.”
The Saja Boys Breakfast Meal is centered around a Spicy Saja McMuffin, a sausage McMuffin with egg topped with a peppery Spicy Saja Sauce, inspired by the fire of Gwi-Ma, a monster in the movie. The meal also comes with hash browns and a choice of a little “Soda Pop,” a small soft drink.
The HUNTR/X Meal includes a 10-piece Chicken McNuggets, medium soft drink and three limited-time menu items. The Ramyeon McShaker Fries are a “spicy, umami spin” on McDonald’s fries, featuring a soy, garlic, sesame and spice seasoning, inspired by Rumi, Mira and Zoey’s go-to snack in the movie. The flavor provides a “bold taste that’s true to South Korean flavors.”
The limited-time menu items also include two sauces. The Hunter Sauce is a sweet chili sauce with notes of chili, garlic and pepper “with just enough heat inspired by HUNTR/X’s fierce, yet fun-loving personalities.” The Demon Sauce is a bold mustard sauce with heat and tang, made to be the color purple, just like demon patterns.
McDonald’s also dropped the Derpy McFlurry with the collaboration, a brand-new McFlurry flavor that blends vanilla soft serve with berry popping pearls, dressed in a wild berry sauce. “Just like Derpy Tiger, it’s impossible not to love, no matter which side you pick,” the fast-food chain said.
There’s more than just food, too. Each meal comes with a collectible card pack consisting of an exclusive photocard for either HUNTR/X or the Saja Boys and a Derpy access card. Fans can scan the QR code on the access card and enter the code on the McDonald’s app by April 26 to get first access to exclusive content.
“KPop Demon Hunters has ignited an incredibly passionate global fandom, and we’re always looking for authentic ways to bring fans deeper into the worlds they love,” Marian Lee, Chief Marketing Officer at Netflix, said.
“With McDonald’s, we were able to turn the rivalry between The Saja Boys and HUNTR/X into something fans can actually experience, drawing inspiration from Korean culture and food traditions that sit at the heart of the film. From Ramyeon McShaker Fries to Demon sauces paired with Soda Pop, every detail was designed to feel like it could have come straight out of a scene in the movie.”
The new menu will be available to fans starting March 31 — and fans are already looking forward to it.
“ima need all the ramyeon seasoning!! omgggg,” one person commented on popular food blogger Markie Devo’s post.
“These are gonna sell out for sure,” someone said.
“Finally something I am soooo excited for,” another wrote.
“Now my niece is gonna be begging for McDonald’s every day lol,” one added.
“I’m only hoping the scalpers don’t descend on this like what happened with Pokémon,” a worried fan wrote.
“Gonna watch the movie so i dont feel like a poser getting this meal,” a user admitted.
However, some fans expressed disappointment in the idea of receiving postcards with their meals rather than an actual toy.
“No KPDH Happy Meal toys??? Is McDonald’s allergic to making money??? That’s my only complaint w/ all this. Talk about the missed opportunity of the century,” someone declared.
“Photocard is a SNORE,” one said.
“This collab would have been WAAAAAY better as a happy meal with a toy,” another added.
“I don’t know if this is a Happy Meal specifically but if it is I feel like some trading cards are a letdown. Like at least make a little plastic figure or a music player or something that a kid can play and interact with,” someone wrote on Reddit.
Though one person pointed out, “I think they’re trying to emulate kpop culture where photo cards etc are a massive deal.”
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