IT General

Are you sick of reading cryptic manuals and boring articles for learning Linux? Look no further, because you can learn Linux by playing games. It's not only fun but also quite engaging. Moreover, all of them are free to play, and some are even open-source.

It's no secret that Jonathan Bailey oozes chemistry with whoever he happens to be in a room with, and Jimmy Fallon is apparently no exception.

In the clip above from The Tonight Show, the pair discuss Jurassic World Rebirth before donning Bailey's trademark "slutty glasses" from the movie and playing an improv game: Stand with your back to the camera, then slowly turn and react as if you've seen something.

Which would be all well and good if they could get past the slow turn bit.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

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Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for June 26 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: A leafy meal

• Green: An apparatus

• Blue: Popular TV series

• Purple: Found in a deck

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Components of a salad

• Green: Kinds of machines

• Blue: Legal dramas

• Purple: Ending with playing cards

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #746 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Components of a salad: CHEESE, DRESSING, LETTUCE, PROTEIN

• Kinds of machines: ENIGMA, PINBALL, SEWING, VENDING

• Legal dramas: DAMAGES, GOLIATH, MATLOCK, SUITS

• Ending with playing cards: BOJACK, HAWKING, LOVELACE, MCQUEEN

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for June 26

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.

If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferrined pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for June 26 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for June 26 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Fowl business

The words are animal-related.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are hunted animals.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Game Birds

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for June 26

• Pheasant

• Game Birds

• Quail

• Grouse

• Goose

• Turkey

• Patridge

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Strands.

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for June 26 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for June 26, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A proposal.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter F appears twice.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter O.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

OFFER.

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for June 26

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.

SAVE $90: As of June 26, the Samsung 27-inch S39C Series FHD curved gaming monitor is on sale for $139.99 at Amazon — that’s 39% off its regular price of $229.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 27-Inch S39C Series FHD Curved Gaming Monitor $139.99 at Amazon
$229.99 Save $90 Get Deal

If you’ve been eyeing a gaming monitor upgrade but don’t want to drop serious cash, here’s a great opportunity to save. Amazon has slashed the price of the Samsung 27-Inch S39C Series curved gaming monitor down to just $139.99, a wallet-friendly deal that’s showing up ahead of Prime Day. That’s a full $90 off and a limited-time offer that’s recommended to grab while it’s hot.

This 2024 model combines sleek design with features tailored for both gamers and entertainment lovers. Its 1000R curved screen promises to wrap around your field of vision in a way flat panels simply can’t match, helping reduce eye fatigue for those longer sessions. Samsung even cites clinical research from Seoul National University to back up the claim: the closer the curve is to 1000R, the more strain is reduced.

SEE ALSO: Amazon is dropping way better early Prime Day TV deals than years prior

Beyond the curve, it’s packed with thoughtful tech. Flicker-Free technology and Eye Saver Mode are built in to keep your eyes fresh, while a 75Hz refresh rate and AMD FreeSync help smooth out motion during gameplay. It looks like a solid pick for casual and competitive gamers alike.

On the entertainment side, the built-in 5-watt speakers mean fewer cables and less clutter. Just connect via HDMI or DisplayPort and you’re ready to stream, game, or multitask. And thanks to the frameless display and slim metal stand, the whole setup can look clean and modern on any desk.

Whether you're grinding through an indie game backlog, getting a session of Fortnite in, or looking for a more immersive binge-watching setup to check out Season 4 of The Bear, the S39C can get the job done without draining your Prime Day budget. Just don’t sit on it too long: this is a limited-time offer and could vanish fast.

If you want to complete your living room setup at the same time, the 4-Series Amazon Fire TV is over $100 off ahead of Prime Day. To keep your home clean whilst gaming, check out the early Prime Day deals on Roomba vacuum cleaners as well.  

The best early Prime Day deals, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

• Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $74.99 (List Price $99.00)

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (Wi-Fi, 40mm, S/M Green) — $199.99 (List Price $299.99)

• Dyson V15 Detect Plus Cordless Vacuum Cleaner (Yellow/Nickel) — $649.99 (List Price $749.99)

• Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop — $849.00 (List Price $999.00)

• Hisense 55" Class QD6 Series (2025 Model) QLED 4K UHD TV — $259.99 (List Price $379.99)

SAVE $500: As of June 26, the Roborock Qrevo Edge robot vacuum and mop is on sale for $1,099.99 at Amazon. This is 31% off its list price of $1,599.99 and marks a return to its lowest-ever price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Roborock Roborock Qrevo Edge Robot Vacuum and Mop $1,099.99 at Amazon
$1,599.99 Save $500 Get Deal

There have been some mighty good deals on cleaning equipment lately at Amazon, even before Prime Day officially kicks off. Robot vacuums, in particular, have seen some great discounts. Among the many great offers available is the Roborock Qrevo Edge robot vacuum and mop, which is back to its best price at the retailer.

The Roborock Qrevo Edge robot vacuum and mop is on sale right now for $1,099.99. This is 31% off its usual price of $1,599.99, allowing you to save $500.

SEE ALSO: Are you 18-24? Get 6 months of Amazon Prime for free ahead of Prime Day.

Boasting 18,500 Pa suction, the Roborock Qrevo Edge can tackle any hair, dirt, debris, and whatever else has dropped on your floor. Its Dual Anti-Tangle System makes cleaning up longer hair and pet hair easy as well, so nothing will get tangled up in the device. And when it comes to mopping, it ensures every corner around a room gets clean with the help of the FlexiArm Side Brush. Its dual spinning mops will help to get a deeper clean, too.

On top of that, the Roborock Qrevo Edge can map out a good layout of your home thanks to PreciSense LiDAR technology. This provides real-time mapping so the robot vacuum can find the best cleaning route around any obstacles in your home that might get in its way.

Amazon has the Roborock Qrevo Edge robot vacuum and mop marked as a limited-time deal right now, so if this discount has caught your eye, you'll want to act fast to pick it up at this price.

Are you hoping to check out more deals during the Amazon Prime Day sale event? Check out our breakdown of everything you need to know about Amazon Prime Day 2025 to start planning ahead.

The best early Prime Day deals, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

• Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $74.99 (List Price $99.00)

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (Wi-Fi, 40mm, S/M Green) — $199.99 (List Price $299.99)

• Dyson V15 Detect Plus Cordless Vacuum Cleaner (Yellow/Nickel) — $649.99 (List Price $749.99)

• Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop — $849.00 (List Price $999.00)

• Hisense 55" Class QD6 Series (2025 Model) QLED 4K UHD TV — $259.99 (List Price $379.99)

SAVE OVER $300: As of June 26, the Shark AI Ultra voice control robot vacuum is on sale for just $297.99 at Amazon, marked down from $599 — a massive 50% off in a limited-time early Prime Day deal.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark AI Ultra Robot Vacuum $297.99 at Amazon
$599 Save $301.01 Get Deal

If your floors are crying out for help and your hands are tired of doing the dirty work, Amazon’s latest limited-time deal could be perfect for you. Right now, you can score the Shark AI Ultra voice control robot vacuum for just $297.99 — that’s half off its usual $599 price tag. It's one of the steepest markdowns we've seen on a high-performance robot vac like this ahead of Prime Day.

The Ecovacs Deebot N30 Omni robot vacuum is also on sale at its lowest-ever price at Amazon, but this deal saves you even more.

SEE ALSO: Dyson's V11 Origin cordless vacuum is over $100 off ahead of Prime Day

This isn’t your basic bot either. The Shark AI Ultra packs a serious punch when it comes to suction, picking up dirt, pet hair, and everyday messes from carpet and hard floors alike. Thanks to its Matrix Clean Navigation feature, it doesn’t just roam around randomly — it promises to clean in a precision grid, going over dirt multiple times for thorough, edge-to-edge coverage.

What’s more, it empties itself. The XL self-empty base holds up to 60 days of debris, and unlike other models, it’s bagless — with no ongoing costs or weird refill systems either. It’s built for pet owners in mind as well, with a self-cleaning brushroll that’s designed to lift hair without wrapping or clogging. Its smart features continue with the vacuum using 360-degree LiDAR to map your home, avoid obstacles, and adapt its route whether it's day or night. It also plays nice with Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can tell it to clean up with just your voice.

If you’ve been waiting to upgrade your cleaning game, this is a deal worth jumping on. At 50% off, the Shark AI Ultra is doing all the work — and saving you a ton while it's at it.

To upgrade your home even further, the 55-inch 4K Amazon Fire TV is over $100 off ahead of Prime Day. For listening to music while your new robot vacuum is cleaning around the house, the EarFun Air Pro 4 earbuds are on sale for just $63 as well. 

The best early Prime Day deals, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

• Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $74.99 (List Price $99.00)

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (Wi-Fi, 40mm, S/M Green) — $199.99 (List Price $299.99)

• Dyson V15 Detect Plus Cordless Vacuum Cleaner (Yellow/Nickel) — $649.99 (List Price $749.99)

• Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop — $849.00 (List Price $999.00)

• Hisense 55" Class QD6 Series (2025 Model) QLED 4K UHD TV — $259.99 (List Price $379.99)

Most people only use password managers for managing passwords and passkeys, but the possibilities are endless. Some password manager apps have branched out and become more useful in the process. And now, Proton Pass is going the same route as well.

Lenovo's Thinkpads are famously reliable workhorses, and the ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 10 is no exception. The 2-in-1 form factor opens up a few interesting ways to use the laptop, and solid system specs ensure the entire thing is snappy and responsive.

SAVE OVER $800: As of June 26, the 85-inch Sony QLED 4K BRAVIA 9 TV is on sale for $3,998 at Amazon. This is 17% off its list price of $4,799.99 and marks a return to its lowest-ever price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony 85-Inch Mini LED QLED 4K Ultra HD Bravia 9 TV $3,998 at Amazon
$4,799.99 Save $801.99 Get Deal

Amazon Prime Day kicks off this year on July 8 and runs through July 11. If you've got a new TV on your mind but are waiting for the sale event to officially kick off, wait no longer. The good news is that Amazon has plenty of great deals available right now. One of the best we've come across so far is this discount on the massive 85-inch Sony QLED 4K Bravia 9 TV, which is back to its best price at Amazon.

Normally the 85-inch Sony QLED 4K Bravia 9 TV is listed for $4,799.99, but you can pick it up for $3,998 right now. This saves you over $800 and marks a return to its lowest-ever price, which is another win.

SEE ALSO: How to sign up for Amazon Prime ahead of Prime Day

This huge Sony Bravia 9 TV has plenty going for it. The 85-inch size can transform your living room into a mini movie theater, plus it features 4K resolution, Mini LEDs, QLED technology, and XR Triluminos Pro that ensures images on the screen look sharp and vibrant. To make for an even more immersive experience, it also comes with IMAX Enhanced, DTS:X.CRYSTAL CLEAR PICTURE, and both Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos to further enhance the images and sounds on your screen.

Treat yourself to an upgrade ahead of Prime Day with this great deal on the 85-inch Sony QLED 4K Bravia 9 TV at Amazon.

If you can't wait for the sale event to start this year, check out our breakdown of everything you need to know about Amazon Prime Day 2025 to learn more about start times, what's new for this year's sale event, and some of the best early deals.

The best early Prime Day deals, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

• Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $74.99 (List Price $99.00)

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (Wi-Fi, 40mm, S/M Green) — $199.99 (List Price $299.99)

• Dyson V15 Detect Plus Cordless Vacuum Cleaner (Yellow/Nickel) — $649.99 (List Price $749.99)

• Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop — $849.00 (List Price $999.00)

• Hisense 55" Class QD6 Series (2025 Model) QLED 4K UHD TV — $259.99 (List Price $379.99)

It's a Tuesday night in Soho, London, and I'm standing in a room with 200 single people who are looking to meet new people.

I'm at a Bored Of Dating Apps (BODA) singles social, an event aimed at those who feel disillusioned with dating apps (who isn't?) and are in search of IRL connection.

Singles' nights are having a moment. With "swipe fatigue" on the rise, it's not difficult to see why offline events are taking off. 79 percent of Gen Z daters and 80 percent of millennial daters feel burnt out by dating apps, according to a 2024 Forbes study. In my 2025 non-fiction book The Love Fix, I explore the myriad reasons why dating feels so hard right now and why so many of us are feeling drained, rather than sustained, in our quest to find connection. "Hell-scape," "Hell. On Earth.," "Harrowing," "Soul-destroying," are just a few of the choice words people used to describe the current dating scene when I researched my book.

SEE ALSO: We asked daters what dating in 2025 is like so far

Singles nights across the U.S. and UK, are selling out and racking up waitlists. One popular event in London, "Dinner for 100," had over 3,000 applications for one of its events (which can only accommodate 100 people). So, what's all the fuss about? When BODA asked me to come along and host one of their singles socials, I thought I'd give it a whirl. I'd already dipped my toe in the offline dating pond, with a life drawing class for single people, and had found it a refreshing and restorative experience.

What is Bored Of Dating Apps AKA BODA?

BODA was founded by freelance journalist Jess Evans in January 2022 who had just come out of a break-up which had left her heartbroken. Evans thought she'd set up an in-person dating social in her home city of Liverpool, UK. At the time, she envisaged it being a one-off event. "I was very much like, this is just going to be a bit of fun, it'll be a good laugh, and let's just see who turns up. I had no intention of making it into a business," Evans tells me. "All I wanted to do was meet someone. I just wanted to be off the apps."

After the breakup, Evans had launched straight back into swiping on the apps, and found the experience completely draining. "This is just, for me personally, was totally destroying my mental health, which just was not working for me." That first social attracted nearly 300 people, which Evans did not expect. "Honestly, I was terrified. I was a journalist by trade so I'd never put on an event in my life."

From there, Evans continued hosting Liverpool-based events before branching out to other UK cities and eventually launching different types of socials, such as yoga rooftop sunset events. Evans' original goal to meet someone in real life also had a happy ending. "This wasn't long after lockdown and COVID-19, so people were desperate for community, people were lonely (and still are), but particularly at that time, I felt really lonely, especially at weekends, and I had no single friends." This absence of single pals is a major strand of the BODA philosophy — the events aren't just about romance, they're about finding new single friends and a community of people who are in the same boat.

"I had no intention of making it into a business. All I wanted to do was meet someone. I just wanted to be off the apps." - BODA founder Jess Evans

Today, BODA runs socials in London, New York, Amsterdam, in addition to a number of UK cities: Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, Leeds, Sheffield, Glasgow, and Guildford. There are supper clubs, bookshop meet-cute sessions, sober socials, coffee shop meet-cutes, drinks socials, sauna socials, paddle boarding, yoga, dances, and hikes.

What to expect while attending a BODA social

As I made my way to my first ever BODA social, I must admit I felt a bit nervous. I'd picked out a cute outfit to wear — a black velvet dress (cue the inimitable Alannah Myles song), paired with a bold red lipstick. My role as host was to welcome every attendee as they arrived at The Little Scarlet Door, a bar in the heart of Soho, London.

I handed each guest two cards, the size of business cards. The first card entitles the attendee to a "Dutch courage shot" which can be redeemed at the bar for either an alcoholic or non-alcoholic shot. The catch is: you have to do the shot with a new connection — be it, romantic or platonic.

The second card is the "congrats you're fit" card. For the non-Brits, "fit" means "hot" in British slang. There's a space on the card for you to add your number — useful if you get chatting to someone who you'd like to keep in touch with. But, if handing over a card doesn't feel natural to you, it's perfectly fine to ask them for their number.

SEE ALSO: I got stood up. I refuse to let dating app culture break my spirit.

I see a vast array of faces — some people attending with friends, and many more coming solo. 97 percent of attendees attend alone, which might feel a little bit nerve-wracking, but ultimately it gives you a greater chance of stepping outside your comfort zone and talking to fellow singles at the event (which is kind of the whole point). Many admit that they're feeling nervous or a little unsure of what to expect. At this particular event, it's a bar social, so people are chatting by the counters, and sitting outside. It's heartening to see people making connections, hitting it off with people, swapping numbers and making plans to meet up again.

During my hosting experience, I met countless people who also felt nervous, or even vaguely terrified. I found it reassuring to know I wasn't alone in feeling a bit anxious about it all. Putting yourself out there takes vulnerability and confidence — you should feel proud of yourself for overcoming those fears and showing up.

Will I meet someone at a singles social?

So, the burning question: did I meet anyone? Yes I did. I've attended a total of three BODA socials — once as a guest, twice as a host. Attending as a guest forced me to step outside my comfort zone — I was no longer hosting, I wasn't needed on the front door, so I had to get out there and mingle. I'll be honest: the introvert in me wanted to go hide in the bathroom and wait for the evening to be over. I had to give myself a mental pep talk: "Rachel, you are a 36-year-old woman in control of your life, you can talk to a few strangers in a bar." At my first BODA social I ended up exchanging numbers with someone, who I went on a few dates with. And at my second social (where I was attending as a guest), a guy asked me for my number. While none of those connections have led to anything long-term, it feels good to get out there and talk to people in real life, to feel proactive about dating, to get a break from the interminable sofa-swiping. Plus, it's always a nice boost to get approached by interesting people who want to get to know you.

It feels good to get out there and talk to people in real life, to feel proactive about dating, to get a break from the interminable sofa-swiping.

Past BODA attendees often send Evans updates on relationships which started at BODA — there have been engagements, weddings, and many more happy endings. Evans ended up having her own meet cute at one of her socials. She met her partner Liam at one of her socials and the two of them will be getting married this week.

What's the gender ratio at a singles social?

This is a question that's come up a lot when I talk about BODA and it's a very valid one. There's been much discussion about straight men's reluctance to show their faces at IRL dating events. As Moya Crockett writes in a piece for The Londoner aptly named "Where are all the men?", there's a number of reasons why hetero guys aren't as forthcoming as straight women: "Some men might be too embarrassed to ask their mates to go to a singles night together, and too intimidated to go alone." In the same piece, Crockett adds that many men have expressed their feeling that speed dating sounds a bit "cringey," that many guys "just want to go for a pint," while others "are sceptical about what they perceive as attempts to profit from their singledom."

Dating apps aren't exactly not-for-profit organisations, right? As I write in The Love Fix, "The big-bucks business of love existed long before the internet. In 1897, W. T. Stead – a newspaper owner and editor who later died on the Titanic – launched The Wedding Ring Circle, which published catalogues of single people in the area, listing their interests and hobbies."

At a recent BODA event, I had a particularly illuminating conversation with a straight man in his 30s who'd come along with a male friend. He told me that he wasn't nervous about being rejected at these events, but what did fill him with fear was the idea of being explicitly rejected in front of his friend. "Do you think that has something to do with masculinity?" I asked him. He didn't hesitate in confirming that it had everything to do with masculinity.

The tickets for each BODA event are split by gender — early bird female tickets, early bird male tickets, then general male and female tickets. Early bird tickets are £20, and general tickets are £25. The organisers aim to get a good gender split for each event — women's tickets tend to sell out sooner than the men's tickets, which organisers put down to men being last-minute ticket buyers. So, who exactly are the socials aimed at? Evans says, "BODA socials are inclusive to anyone of any sexuality."

"BODA is obv about romance, but friendship and community too, so that involves absolutely everyone coming together," she adds.

If you aren't necessarily looking to make new single friends, and are looking for a dedicated queer dating space, there are lots of LGBTQ singles nights popping up, such as Sappho Events, Hunbun's Love Lab, not to mention gay and lesbian speed dating events. And if bar socials aren't quite your scene and you're looking for sober dating, there are plenty of non-drinking socials to choose from: bookshop meet-cutes, coffee socials, to name a few.

From one single person to another: what have you got to lose?

SAVE $50: As of June 26, the iRobot Roomba Q0120 is on sale for $199.99 at Amazon. That's a 20% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: iRobot iRobot Roomba Q0120 $199.99 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $50 Get Deal

Prime Day deals are the perfect time for a big purchase like a robot vacuum, and with just two weeks until the sale officially kicks off, we couldn't be more excited. But if you're looking for an affordable deal right now, why not check out this latest Amazon deal on the iRobot Roomba Q0120, currently priced at under $200.

As of June 26, this robot vacuum is $50 off, now priced at $199.99.

SEE ALSO: Ahead of Prime Day, Amazon already has a ton of good robot vacuum deals

This model has a three-stage cleaning system that delivers customizable suction for carpets and hard floors. It comes with smart navigation that vacuums in neat rows, dodges furniture, and steers clear of stairs or any other obstacles in your house. And if you have any hard-to-reach corners and edges, the Edge-Sweeping Brush kicks in, making sure no dust or dirt is left behind. It even has three power levels, depending on how much of a clean your floor needs or how much noise you want to reduce.

It's easy to use and control, with everything being controlled from the iRobot Home App, where you can do things like schedule cleans while you're away from home, check to see where it has cleaned, and set it to charge. And with up to 120 minutes of cleaning on one charge, if it doesn't manage your whole house, it'll return itself to the charging station to reboot.

Say goodbye to manual vacuuming and pick up this deal from Amazon now.

The best early Prime Day deals, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

• Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $74.99 (List Price $99.00)

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (Wi-Fi, 40mm, S/M Green) — $199.99 (List Price $299.99)

• Dyson V15 Detect Plus Cordless Vacuum Cleaner (Yellow/Nickel) — $649.99 (List Price $749.99)

• Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop — $849.00 (List Price $999.00)

• Hisense 55" Class QD6 Series (2025 Model) QLED 4K UHD TV — $259.99 (List Price $379.99)

SAVE $60: As of June 26, this Kindle Scribe Essentials Bundle is on sale for $489.97 at Amazon. That's a saving of 11% on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Scribe Essentials Bundle $489.99 at Amazon
$549.99 Save $60 Get Deal

The Kindle Scribe bundle is back on sale, and we couldn't be happier with this pre-Prime Day treat. The Kindle Scribe was released last year and has quickly become a fan favorite in the Kindle lineup. Not only can you read your favorite books, but you can now take notes and write on books.

As of June 26, the bundle is priced at just $489.99 (for the 64GB model), down from $549.99. The deal comes with the Premium Pen so you can jot down notes and convert them to text as easily as writing in a notebook. Unlike the basic pen, this model comes with an eraser so you can quickly remove mistakes just by flipping the pen. It is also battery-free and works through a special power source embedded in the Kindle Scribe, so there is no need to charge it.

SEE ALSO: Kindle deals are sparse ahead of Prime Day — for now

With the bundle, you also get a 9W power adapter and a plant-based leather folio to store it away. According to Amazon, the plant-based leather is made from 76% renewable bio-materials (non-GMO corn and viscose fiber from Forest Stewardship Council-certified sources) and 24% polyurethane. The jade is currently sold out, so the only color option is black.

Alongside its note-taking abilities, the Kindle Scribe has a 10.2-inch 300 ppi Paperwhite display, glare-free and ink-free. So, like the original Kindle, it's perfect for sitting outside in the sun or harsh lighting. And if you're someone who reads on the go a lot, the Scribe has the best battery life of any model, promising to last months on a single charge.

Start working through your TBR list with this fantastic deal.

The best early Prime Day deals, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

• Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $74.99 (List Price $99.00)

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (Wi-Fi, 40mm, S/M Green) — $199.99 (List Price $299.99)

• Dyson V15 Detect Plus Cordless Vacuum Cleaner (Yellow/Nickel) — $649.99 (List Price $749.99)

• Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop — $849.00 (List Price $999.00)

• Hisense 55" Class QD6 Series (2025 Model) QLED 4K UHD TV — $259.99 (List Price $379.99)

Connections: Sports Edition is a new version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections Sports Edition?

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

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Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Superstar

• Green: Athletic bases

• Blue: Tennis pros

• Purple: Sporty place settings

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections Sports Edition categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Prodigy

• Green: New York City Sporting Venue

• Blue: U.S. men to wind Wimbledon

• Purple: Sports terms on the dinner table

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections Sports Edition #276 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Prodigy - PHENOM, SENSATION, WHIZ, WUNDERKIND

• New York City Sporting Venue - BARCLAYS, CITI, MSG, YANKEE

• U.S. men to wind Wimbledon - AGASSI, ASHE, MCENROE, SAMPRAS

• Sports terms on the dinner table - FORKBALL, HOME PLATE, STANLEY CUP, SUPER BOWL

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Thursday, June 26, 2025:

AcrossFictional maker of the Little Giant Do-It-Yourself Rocket-Sled Kit

• The answer is ACME.

Sound made while revving an imaginary motorcycle

• The answer is Vroom.

Plant from which mezcal is distilled

• The answer is Agave.

Wannabe or tryhard

• The answer is Poser.

What a ticket entitles you to

• The answer is Entry.

DownNoble gas used in semiconductor manufacturing

• The answer is Argon.

Shore

• The answer is Coast.

Worker who's typically busiest around the last day of each month

• The answer is Mover.

Kind of board at a nail salon

• The answer is Emery.

Hit a pen

• The answer is Vape.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Mini Crossword.

Apple has my heart (at least in terms of smartphone ownership), but if I were in the market for a new handset this year, Samsung provides some serious temptation.

My pink iPhone 16 is doing just fine, but plenty of folks out there will be left with a difficult choice in the latter half of this year: Which new phone should I get? Samsung has some exciting new foldables on the way in July, while Apple's iPhone 17 lineup is sure to launch around September. Officially, we don't know a ton about either device yet, but we know enough that I can say there are at least a couple of intriguing reasons to consider the upcoming Galaxy Z Flip 7 over the iPhone 17.

Let's get into them.

Why I'd consider a Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 over an iPhone 17 this year

For the sake of clarity, the Z Flip 7 is the smaller of the two Samsung foldables. It folds into a compact clamshell shape, and the Z Fold 7 turns into a mini-tablet.

The Z Flip 7 is just more fun

First order of business: A clamshell foldable is just more fun than a regular smartphone. This is indisputable. It's ironclad logic.

Who doesn't love folding and unfolding a little thing periodically throughout the day? Those of you who aren't old enough to remember real flip phones may not understand, but there was an innate satisfaction in pulling one out of your pocket and almost violently flipping it open to answer a call. You felt like you were doing business.

Samsung's Z Flip series hasn't quite delivered on that particular front (opening the phone has traditionally taken slightly more effort than old flip phones did), but the fact of the matter is that a Z Flip 7 will be a conversation starter. People might even think you're more interesting for owning one. More importantly, your smartphone has an extra way to make you smile throughout the day, and foldables provide that in a way a regular iPhone wouldn't.

It can do things an iPhone can't An iPhone can't do this, at least not easily. Credit: Kimberly Gedeon/Mashable

Probably the most salient argument one could make in favor of a foldable versus an iPhone is that there's practical, everyday functionality built into the form factor that an iPhone can't reproduce.

I'm more of a Z Fold guy in this respect, as the bigger unfolded display is great for things like reading and streaming videos. But the Z Flip is no slouch here, either. The foldable shape allows for some neat features. Split-screen multitasking is a big one, allowing users to have two apps open on the inner display at once. On the outside, the exterior display can tip you off to important notifications without asking you to open your phone, which is nice for people who would rather not be staring at their phones at all times.

Samsung's Flip phones also offer increased versatility for photography, both of the regular and selfie varieties. You can partially unfold it, place the flat end on a table, and set the timer for self-shots, for example. Being able to set it down for photography also guarantees a level image...unless your table isn't level. If that's the case, that's your problem, not mine.

It might offer elite performance

This last bit is speculative on my part, but it's reasonable to expect high-quality performance out of the Z Flip 7 because of what Samsung has been doing with its high-end phones this year.

Every phone in the S25 line, including the Ultra and the Edge, is powered by a Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset that provides incredible benchmarking scores on top of reliable everyday performance. We don't know yet if either of Samsung's new foldables will be powered by the same chipset, though rumors point to that being the case with the Z Fold 7. I would bet, if that's the case, that the Z Flip 7 also has a Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chip inside.

Of course, the iPhone 17 will almost certainly perform well, too. It's just nice to know that anyone who opts for the cute lil' foldable might also get elite performance. A Samsung might also be better for those interested in T-Mobile's new cellular Starlink service, where dozens of Androids are supported a bit easier than the iPhone.

In the meantime, if you're also curious about the Samsung Z Flip 7, then I recommend tuning into the Samsung Unpacked event on July 9.

Meta just won a major ruling in a landmark case about how copyright law and fair use applies to AI model training, the second such loss for authors this week. Just days ago, Anthropic won a fair use case as well.

Late Wednesday afternoon, U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of California Vince Chhabria denied the plaintiffs' motion for partial summary judgment. At issue in the case: whether Meta's use of pirated books to train its Llama AI models violated copyright law. In the case, Richard Kadrey, et al. v. Meta Platforms Inc., authors including Richard Kadrey, Sarah Silverman, Ta-Nehisi Coates, and Junot Diaz accused Meta of copyright infringement.

In the discovery phase of the case, internal Meta messages revealed that the company used pirated datasets with copies of 7.5 million pirated books and 81 million research papers, according to The Atlantic's LibGen investigation.

What may seem like a blatant theft for profit in the eyes of the authors is actually a much more complex deliberation in copyright law. It's undisputed that Meta torrented terabytes of pirated books, but its lawyers successfully defended this act under the fair use doctrine, which allows the use of copyrighted works in certain contexts. Kadrey v. Meta is one of dozens of copyright lawsuits against AI companies making their way through the U.S. court system. At the heart of these fights is a battle of values: the rights and livelihoods of artists versus technological innovation at all costs.

How the authors lost their fair use argument

Of the four fair use factors, the case mostly hinged on factor one, whether the use is transformative, and factor four, whether the use harms the existing or future market for the copyrighted work. Meta clinched factor one. "There is no serious question that Meta’s use of the plaintiffs’ books had a 'further purpose' and 'different character' than the books—that it was highly transformative," said Chhabria in his ruling. Relatedly, Anthropic won a fair use case on Tuesday, with U.S. District Judge William Alsup deeming its Claude models transformative.

So the bulk of the deliberation came down to the fourth factor, or market harms. Chhabria said the plaintiffs failed to successfully argue that Meta caused market harm, for example, by regurgitating verbatim excerpts of books, robbing authors of AI licensing deals, or diluting the market with AI-generated copycats.

"Meta has defeated the plaintiffs’ half-hearted argument that its copying causes or threatens significant market harm," said Chhabria. "That conclusion may be in significant tension with reality, but it’s dictated by the choice the plaintiffs made... while failing to present meaningful evidence on the effect of training LLMs like Llama with their books on the market for [AI-generated] books."

Chhabria's decision was forecasted during the oral arguments held on May 1. The judge grilled lead plaintiff counsel David Boies about his team's shortcomings in presenting the market harm argument. "Whether it's in the summary judgment record or not, it seems like you're asking me to speculate that the market for Sarah Silverman's memoir will be affected by the billions of things that Llama will ultimately be capable of producing," said Chhabria "and it's just not obvious to me that that's the case."

Chhabria even pushed Boies to argue more strongly for market harms, saying, "you lose if you can't show that the market for the copyrighted works that are being used to train the models are dramatically impacted."

Almost two months later, Chhabria made this decision final.

"We appreciate today’s decision from the Court," said a Meta spokesperson about the ruling. "Open-source AI models are powering transformative innovations, productivity and creativity for individuals and companies, and fair use of copyright material is a vital legal framework for building this transformative technology."

The copyright battle against AI companies will continue

The ruling does contain some good news for authors and artists, just not for the 13 authors involved in this case. Judge Chhabria emphasized that his decision isn't a precedent that applies to all such cases.

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Chhabria explained in his ruling that his decision was less about the fair use defense of using pirated books to train AI models and more about the shortcomings of the plaintiffs' argument. "The Court had no choice but to grant summary judgment to Meta," said the judge, before adding:

"This is not a class action, so the ruling only affects the rights of these thirteen authors—not the countless others whose works Meta used to train its models. And, as should now be clear, this ruling does not stand for the proposition that Meta’s use of copyrighted materials to train its language models is lawful. It stands only for the proposition that these plaintiffs made the wrong arguments and failed to develop a record in support of the right one."

Chhabria also said he believed "it will be illegal to copy copyright-protected works to train generative AI models without permission." On a possibly related note, this May, the U.S. Copyright Office released a pre-publication version of a highly anticipated report on copyright law and AI. The report concluded that training AI models on copyrighted works without permission is likely not fair use. However, the report came out days before President Donald Trump fired the head of the Copyright Office, so it’s unclear what impact this preliminary report could have on future cases.

Meta's fair use ruling is certainly a setback for authors and other creatives. But as Chhabria signaled, the fight is far from over.

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

NASA’s Curiosity rover has started drilling into a bizarre landscape on Mars that could upend assumptions about when the Red Planet truly dried out. 

After a long drive, the Mini Cooper-sized robot reached a so-called boxwork region, where a gridlike pattern of ridges splays over six to 12 miles. For years, orbiters had observed this area from space but never up close. 

Scientists had hypothesized before the rover arrived that the peculiar ridges formed with the last trickles of water in the region before it dried out for good. But mineral veins discovered in the boxwork suggest groundwater stuck around longer than anyone expected. 

The bedrock between the ridges contains tiny white veins of calcium sulfate, a salty mineral left behind as groundwater seeps into rock cracks. Deposits of the material were plentiful in lower rock layers from an earlier Martian period. But no one thought they'd appear in the layer Curiosity is exploring now, which formed much later. 

"That’s really surprising," said Curiosity’s deputy project scientist, Abigail Fraeman, in a statement. "These calcium sulfate veins used to be everywhere, but they more or less disappeared as we climbed higher up Mount Sharp. The team is excited to figure out why they’ve returned now."

SEE ALSO: Rubin Observatory's first images flaunt millions of galaxies. Take a look.

Ancient Mars used to be wetter — flush with rivers, lakes, and maybe even oceans — but over billions of years, it turned into a dusty, cold desert. What’s unclear is when that shift happened and how long conditions suitable for life might have lingered. Curiosity’s new findings complicate what scientists thought they knew about the timeline.

The rover has spent more than a decade in Gale Crater climbing Mount Sharp, reading the rock layers like pages in a planetary chronicle. The layer it’s on now is chock-full of magnesium sulfates, salty minerals that typically form as water evaporates. That fits the narrative researchers had expected: This was supposed to be a chapter when Mars was well on its way to arid.

That's why a new sample Curiosity drilled this month, dubbed Altadena, could be enlightening. As the rover analyzes the boxwork's composition, scientists may gain a better understanding of how it formed, what minerals are present, and whether any clues about ancient single-celled microorganisms might be hidden there. The rover will drill more ridges in the coming months to compare them and evaluate how groundwater may have changed over time.

Bedrock between the boxwork ridges contains tiny white veins of calcium sulfate. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / MSSS

The mission’s next targets lie farther into the boxwork region, where the patterns grow larger and more distinct. Curiosity will keep looking for organic molecules and other potential evidence of a habitable environment in Mars' ancient past.

The rover team has begun nicknaming features after places near Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni, one of the driest, saltiest places on Earth. It's reminiscent of the Martian landscape Curiosity is sightseeing today. 

"Early Earth microbes could have survived in a similar environment," said Kirsten Siebach, a rover scientist based in Houston, in an earlier statement. "That makes this an exciting place to explore."

In the world of K-pop Demon Hunters, saving the world is just another item in an idol’s busy schedule. But for the young women of Huntrix, a K-pop trio who double as supernatural warriors, the real battle isn’t with monsters. It’s with the pressures of perfection, the weight of expectation, and the question that haunts every performer: Who are you when the spotlight turns off?

Directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, Netflix’s latest animated feature is vibrant, action-packed, and surprisingly heartfelt. Beneath its sparkly surface lies a story that understands the soul of K-pop, a genre built on duality — glamour and grit, fantasy and discipline, spectacle and sincerity. More than that, K-pop Demon Hunters is a smart, emotionally grounded celebration of Korean culture, idol group dynamics, and the power of finding your voice, even if you have to scream it through a demon portal.

SEE ALSO: The best Netflix movies of 2025 now streaming A supernatural storyline grounded in K-pop reality. They’re hot, they sing, they’re demons. The Saja Boys are literally draining us. Credit: Netflix

Netflix’s K-pop Demon Hunters could’ve easily gone the way of camp parody or industry critique, but instead, the animated action-comedy threads the needle, embracing the spectacle of K-pop while digging deeper into the emotional and cultural core that makes it so powerful. The film follows Huntrix, a wildly popular K-pop girl group that also moonlights as demon slayers tasked with protecting the Honmoon, a golden-hued barrier that keeps demons from the human world.

Of course, Rumi, Mira, and Zoey also have to protect their idol image. Like many real-life groups, Huntrix functions as a carefully calibrated constellation of personalities. Rumi (voiced by Arden Cho) is the group’s powerhouse leader, driven and disciplined, with a voice that could level buildings (think TWICE’s Jihyo); Mira (voiced by May Hong) is the icy main dancer, cool and composed but hiding deeper vulnerabilities; and Zoey (voiced by Ji-young Yoo), the maknae and resident rapper from America, brings chaotic good energy and comic relief in equal measure. Together, they embody the familiar archetypes of K-pop stardom — but the film gives each one interiority, pushing past the image to reveal the person underneath.

SEE ALSO: Le Sserafim on tech, style, and staying connected in a digital world

The soundtrack mirrors this layered approach. It blends original songs written for both Huntrix and their rival demon boy band, the Saja Boys, with real-world K-pop hits from EXO, TWICE, and even first-gen icons Seo Taiji and Boys. The result is a musical landscape that feels as expansive as K-pop's rich history.

At first glance, K-pop Demon Hunters is a fun, flashy premise built for a TikTok generation. But what makes K-pop Demon Hunters truly compelling is how it engages with the duality at the heart of idol-dom: the tension between public persona and private self, the intense pressure to be "perfect," and the strength it takes to keep showing up for your fans, your group, and yourself.

K-pop commentary with heart, not cynicism. And a whole lot of style. Mira and Zoey said: Heart eyes only. Credit: Netflix

Unlike some recent Western takes on the music industry, K-pop Demon Hunters doesn’t reduce K-pop to a punchline. Instead, it treats the genre with sincerity and admiration, capturing both the magic and the machinery behind it. The film nods to the punishing schedules and image management that idols endure, but it never frames these as soul-sucking. (Well, until the Saja Boys show up... more on that later.) Rather, they’re part of a complex system that produces global stars and also lifelong bonds.

This is clearest in the way the story centers the group dynamics of Huntrix. Rumi, Mira, and Zoey aren’t just colleagues or stage partners — they're more like sisters. They fight demons and train together, but they also share ramen, tease each other backstage, and show up for one another when things get tough. Their friendship is the emotional backbone of the film, grounding even its most outrageous action sequences with warmth and authenticity.

Visually, K-pop Demon Hunters is a feast. The animation is dynamic and electric, bursting with bold textures and expressive flair. Characters emote big: Eyes turn into literal hearts, pupils pop like kernels of corn, and meme-like visual gags heighten the humor and emotional stakes in equal measure. It’s a style that feels delightfully unrestrained, drawing inspiration from anime, internet culture, and the kinetic energy of Spider-Verse-era pop art (K-pop Demon Hunters was also produced by Sony Pictures Animation). Whether it’s a high-octane demon battle or a backstage heart-to-heart, the animation enhances the emotional beats without ever feeling cluttered. Like K-pop itself, it’s meticulously crafted, slightly chaotic, and impossibly fun to watch.

Saja Boys: The soul-sucking boy band you'll still stan. Don't be fooled by their good looks! They'll suck your soul. Credit: Netflix

Every great girl group needs a worthy foil, and K-pop Demon Hunters delivers with the Saja Boys, a fictional boy band who are as heartthrobby as they are villainous. Styled with the swagger of MONSTA X and the media polish of a third-gen powerhouse like BTS, they’re instantly memeable, especially when they make their slow-motion entrance to EXO’s “Love Me Right,” hair tousled, eyes smoldering, abs rippling, evil intentions barely concealed.

That’s because these boys aren’t just Huntrix's industry rivals, they’re demons. Literally. Sent to the human world to seduce fans and drain their souls, the Saja Boys weaponize their good looks, honey-dipped vocals, and perfectly synchronized choreography to suck the souls out of anyone who dares to stan. It’s a brilliantly pointed metaphor: boy bands that feed off obsession, idol worship that consumes. The commentary is sharp, but it never veers into scolding — just a winking acknowledgment of how powerful and parasocial pop fandom can be.

And yet, like any good boy group, they’re hard to resist. Jinu (voiced by Ahn Hyo-seop), the group’s devilishly handsome, conflicted leader, has an undeniable spark with Rumi that hints at a deeper emotional arc, and his softening adds just the right amount of romantic tension to the story. The film smartly positions him not just as a villain, but as someone wrestling with identity, loyalty, and maybe even love.

It’s also telling how quickly the internet has latched onto the Saja Boys. Within the film’s world (and in real life), their popularity eclipses Huntrix almost immediately, yet another sly nod to the way boy groups often dominate mainstream attention, no matter how hard girl groups work to earn their place. From viral fan edits to spicy fan art, they’re already the internet’s newest obsession.

Real K-pop hitmakers make the music soar.

Of course, no film about K-pop would work without killer music, and K-pop Demon Hunters understands the assignment. The original soundtrack, created in collaboration with producers from THEBLACKLABEL (home to Taeyang, Jeon Somi, and BLACKPINK), is genuinely impressive. Songs like "Golden" and "Takedown" wouldn’t feel out of place on a real idol group’s comeback album, with propulsive beats, dynamic hooks, and lyrics that tap into both the emotional highs and warrior-like tenacity of being an idol.

That’s thanks in part to K-pop singer-songwriter EJAE, who provides Rumi's singing voice and helped pen many of the film's original tracks. Her involvement brings a layer of authenticity to the film’s sound, blurring the line between fiction and reality. And looking at her IRL song credits ("Drama" by aespa, "O.O. by NMIXX, "Birthday" by Red Velvet), she knows a thing or two about writing a girl-group banger. It's no surprise that the songs on the soundtrack are already charting on Spotify.

She’s joined by Audrey Nuna (as Mira's singing voice) and Rei Ami (as Zoey's), both of whom bring their own vocal flair to the film's genre-hopping tracks.

K-pop Demon Hunters gets it right.

What makes K-pop Demon Hunters so effective isn’t just that it nails the aesthetic; it gets the emotions right. It understands why fans keep showing up: for the bonds between members, the resilience behind the glamour, and the shared dreams that power it all. It’s a film that celebrates girlhood, creativity, and Korean identity without glossing over the costs of fame. And it does so while being genuinely, delightfully fun to watch.

For K-pop fans, there’s plenty to love, from the pitch-perfect idol archetypes to a scene-stealing variety show face-off between Huntrix and the Saja Boys. But even for the uninitiated, K-pop Demon Hunters is an accessible, wildly entertaining entry point into a global phenomenon that refuses to be boxed in. And yes — the soundtrack absolutely slaps.

K-pop Demon Hunters is now streaming on Netflix.