If you’re hooked on K-pop Demon Hunters, you’ve probably fallen for the unlikely duo: Derpy, the bumbling but brave tiger-like sidekick, and Sussie, the sharp-tongued magpie spirit who always seems one step ahead. They might feel like purely digital creations, designed for a fantasy universe wherdols slay demons under neon lights. But their DNA runs much deeper—straight into a centuries-old Korean art form called hojakdo (호작도).

Image Source: 나무위키, 호암미술관 소장

Korea’s Tiger Meme Before Memes: The Satire of Hojakdo

In Hojakdos, the tiger and magpie were a classic pair. The tiger, meant to be a symbol of the powerful, often appeared oddly goofy: wide-eyed, slightly clumsy, almost cartoonish. Next to it, the magpie symbolized the powerless, cleverness, and good news. 

When Americans think of political satire, they might picture the biting cartoons in newspapers or the sharp comedy of Saturday Night Live. In Korea, centuries before Twitter memes and late-night jokes, people had their own version of poking fun at authority: the tiger and magpie painting, or hojakdo.

The Tiger: From Terror to Punchline

In everyday life, the tiger was terrifying. It lurked in the mountains, occasionally attacking villages, and in art it symbolized kings, officials, and power itself. But in hojakdo, the tiger doesn’t look regal or scary—it looks ridiculous. Wide-eyed, crooked-toothed, sometimes almost cross-eyed, the tiger is clumsy and awkward.

This was intentional. By turning the most fearsome creature into a laughingstock, common people could take back power. The message was clear: even the mighty can be mocked, and laughter is the strongest weapon against fear.

The Magpie: Outsmarting the Powerful

Perched above the tiger is the magpie, a small bird with a sharp beak and a sharp tongue. In folk belief, the magpie was also a messenger of good fortune. In hojakdo, it often looks like it’s scolding or laughing at the tiger below.

That dynamic—clever little bird vs. bumbling giant tiger—wasn’t just cute. It was a symbolic role reversal. The powerless mocking the powerful, the underdog winning through wit. For ordinary Koreans, the magpie was their stand-in: a cheeky voice of the people.

Protection Through Humor

But hojakdo wasn’t only satire—it was also protection. People believed that by making the tiger look foolish, even evil spirits would be too embarrassed to come near. Humor, in other words, became a shield. They were saying: power should never be taken too seriously, fear can be laughed away, and sometimes the smallest voice can outsmart the biggest beast.

Image Source: K-pop Demon Hunters

Derpy = The Tiger’s Modern Heir

In K-pop Demon Hunters, Derpy clearly channels the hojakdo tiger. He’s strong enough to fight demons, yet his awkward movements and silly expressions echo the way folk artists once softened the tiger’s fierceness with humor. Just like those old paintings, Derpy makes the frightening feel approachable—and even lovable.

Sussie = The Magpie Reimagined

If Derpy is muscle with a grin, Sussie is brains with wings. Her quick quips, sharp eyes, and messenger-like presence mirror the magpie’s traditional role as the bringer of news and clever trickster. In hojakdo, the magpie often sat above the tiger, scolding or laughing at its clumsy guardian partner. In K-pop Demon Hunters, Sussie plays the same role—keeping Derpy (and sometimes the idols themselves) in check with wit and strategy.

A Demon-Hunting Lineage

Like this, what makes Derpy and Sussie special is not just their chemistry but their cultural lineage. They aren’t random fantasy mascots—they’re the digital descendants of Korea’s original “demon hunters.” Just as hojakdo paintings once guarded doorways against bad luck, Derpy and Sussie guard the heroes of K-pop Demon Hunters, reminding fans that protection doesn’t always have to look serious. Sometimes, the best guardians are the ones who make you laugh.

Why It Matters

Discovering that Derpy and Sussie come from hojakdo is like finding out your favorite video-game characters are rooted in folklore. It connects the flashy aesthetics of K-pop fantasy worlds to centuries of Korean creativity, humor, and resilience.

So next time Derpy trips over his own paws while Sussie rolls her eyes, remember: you’re watching a modern remix of Korea’s oldest odd couple, still protecting us—this time, through music, memes, and demon-slaying stages.

Written by Boh Chun