C. S. Lewis would approve of “KPop Demon Hunters”. One proof (just one, out of many): “Soda Pop,” that earworm of a song, is actually a page out of Screwtape’s playbook.
Just in case you are not a Korean pop fan or an anime aficionado, “KPop Demon Hunters” is now the most-watched original animated film on Netflix, having amassed more than 100 million views since its release a month ago. The title gives you the basic information you need: The movie is about a trio of female singers who also battle evil supernatural beings. “Soda Pop” is the debut single of their rivals, demons in boy-band disguise, released to steal souls.
And just in case you are not familiar with the works of C. S. Lewis, “The Screwtape Letters” is a fictional collection of lessons a senior devil named Screwtape gives to his nephew, Wormwood. In 31 letters, Screwtape tries to teach Wormwood how to tempt a man to sin.
“Soda Pop” can be read as one of the weapons Screwtape depends on in his diabolical arsenal—“contented worldliness.” To lead humans to damnation, lull them into a false sense of complacency, an illusion of being satisfied by earthly things.
“(I) don’t want you, (I) need you” croons the demon boy band in “Soda Pop.” Screwtape would probably say, “Confuse them about wants and needs—make them believe that what they want is what they need.”
The song continues: “You’re all I can think of / Every drop I drink up / You’re my soda pop / My little soda pop.” Have you ever wanted something so bad that it filled your waking and sleeping moments and made you believe that once you get it, then—and only then—can you be truly happy and never want anything again? You chase the object of your desire and forsake much more important things. Crave and deprave are just two letters apart, and sometimes, just one unchecked desire away.
The sad fate of those who fall into this trap is also foreshadowed in “Soda Pop.” What they yearn for, they achieve, but then they can only sing, “It’s done? I need a second round…” and “Masigo masyeo bwado / Seonge chaji anha (I drink and drink, but I still can’t get enough).
The song promises, “I’m ?mpty, you feed me, so refreshing.” But because we so often want the wrong things in the first place, we are never refreshed.
The soda pop metaphor reflects this insightfully. Soft drinks are basically empty calories. They are rich in sugar but offer minimal nutritional benefits. And have you noticed that soft drinks never really quench your thirst? In fact, because of their formulation, they pull water from your cells and actually dehydrate you, making you feel thirstier.
In our Gospel today (Luke 12:13-21), we hear about a rich man who reaped a bountiful harvest. He thought he was all set and said to himself with contented worldliness, “Now as for you, you have so many good things stored up for many years, rest, eat, drink, be merry!” How long could his merriment have lasted? He did not have to wait long to find out. That very night, he died. What was he able to take with him to the next life?
Our Gospel ends with a warning, “Thus will it be for all who store up treasure for themselves but are not rich in what matters to God.” Thus will it be for those who choose soda pop over the true drink that refreshes.
On August 1, seven men entered the Philippine Province of the Society of Jesus. It would be easy to hail them as heroes who have turned away from worldly things to follow the Lord. But the truth is more complex. What they have done is inspiring, but earthly desires will always be mixed with heavenly dreams. The heroic thing is to continue wrestling with impure and pure motivations and hope that every day brings them just a bit closer to God.
Your prayer assignment for this week:
Listen to “Soda Pop”. Ask yourself what your soda pop is. We all have this—the things of this world which we pursue because we think they will lead to contentment. But why settle for contentment when true fulfillment is also being offered to us? No, we don’t have to abandon all our earthly endeavors. But what we need to do is to be aware of our relationship to them and put them in their place. Only the One who made our hearts can fill them. He is the Living Water. Everything else—every soda pop—is just a taste that leaves us thirstier.
Fr. Francis teaches Theology, Education and Scripture at both the Ateneo de Manila University and Loyola School of Theology. As a classroom teacher, he is first and foremost a student. As a professor, he sees himself primarily as a pastor.
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