The Tiger and Magpie

I love animation, but it’s rare that two characters can steal a show for me.

However, in K-pop Demon Hunters the goofy tiger and clever magpie did exactly that.

I had to learn more about the centuries-old history behind these folk-art inspired characters and went searching. I found loads of information (there are so many jakho-do otherwise known as “magpie-tiger paintings”!) and thought you might also find them interesting.

The video below gives a quick overall explanation.

But if you want a deeper dive, this essay K-pop Demon Hunters Tiger and Magpie Explained gives you a fun history lesson on how art was used to provide social commentary during Korea’s strict, class-conscious Joseon Dynasty (1392-1897).