sondramedia Senior Editor Brandon Schreur spoke with KPop Demon Hunters stars EJAE, AUDREY NUNA, and REI AMI concerning the hit animated Netflix film. The trio mentioned “Golden” changing into an enormous hit, what drew them to their characters and the challenge, and extra.
“After they aren’t promoting out stadiums, Kpop superstars Rumi, Mira, and Zoey use their secret identities as badass demon hunters to guard their followers from an ever-present supernatural menace,” the official synopsis reads. “Collectively, they have to face their largest enemy but – an irresistible rival boy band of demons in disguise.”
KPop Demon Hunters is now streaming globally on Netflix.
Brandon Schreur: EJAE, I need to begin with you, as a result of “Golden” has grow to be such an enormous, enormous hit over the previous couple of months. And effectively deserved, it’s nice. I do know that you just most likely didn’t go into “Golden” pondering, ‘I need to make the largest track of 2025’ or something like that, however that’s actually what it type of has grow to be. Was there a sure level the place that clicked for you? Whether or not it was once you have been writing it, recording it, or seeing how individuals react to it, do you keep in mind once you realized “Golden” was going to be this enormous?
EJAE: Truthfully, when writing it — me and Mark, Mark Sonnenblick, my co-writer, once we have been completed with the highest line of the lyrics, we have been like, ‘Wait. That is type of a banger.’ Like, that is type of our favourite track within the movie, perhaps? We have been actually assured within the track, however to get to this degree, we didn’t anticipate in any respect.
Truthfully, simply seeing the track present itself, and the entire film simply breaking the fourth wall by really charting in the true charts was simply so loopy to see and serendipitous. So, yeah, I feel we didn’t anticipate it, however that’s once I felt it: When the billboard charts and simply seeing it go up and up and up. And the Spotify charts. That was insane.
Yeah, I’m certain that’s a loopy feeling. However, once more, effectively deserved.
Loopy expertise. It wasn’t even simply “Golden.” Like, all of the songs within the soundtrack have been charting.
Audrey, I need to ask slightly bit about the way you got here on board this challenge and what your first response was once you heard of KPop Demon Hunters. What was it that made you need to be a part of this world?
AUDREY NUNA: So, truthfully, there’s like some lore surrounding how I got here on board. From my understanding, my first supervisor’s pal’s brother used to sport with this man, Danny Chung, who’s a songwriter and A&R for The Black Label. He’s one of many many individuals, EJAE included, who put my identify in to recommend individuals for singing Mira. So, truthfully, it was, for me on the time, it appeared quite simple. I’ve heard the method of casting and every thing, there’s a lot extra to it than I find out about. For me, it was actually simply, ‘Hey, do you need to hop on a name with this man named Ian, who’s music directing this movie below Sony Footage and Netflix?’ I used to be like, ‘Yeah, certain.’
What actually acquired me is that Ian fantastically defined — from like 10 seconds or 30 seconds in to the decision — that this was a film about embracing your full self. And never pondering so binary about who you’re. I used to be like, ‘Alright, you’ve my consideration, what is that this?’ From there, he performed me the songs. I keep in mind, for “How It’s Completed,’ pondering that was the craziest bridge I’ve ever heard. I used to be like, convey again bridges, sure! Truthfully, all these components are what bought me to be a part of this very particular challenge.
Completely, I like that. Rei, I type of wished to ask you an identical factor. What was it that initially made you need to be a part of KPop Demon Hunters? And, because you’ve been a part of this challenge, what has the film come to imply to you these previous couple of months?
REI AMI: The onboarding course of was actually fast. Netflix had reached out, and so they have been like, ‘We want somebody who can sing and rap in Korean and English.’ That they had a few strains from the entire songs, Huntr/x’s songs, and I submitted my audition. The factor that acquired me is that it’s about Korean tradition, it’s a few badass group of women combating demons, and it’s an animated musical movie. I used to be an enormous theater nerd in highschool. Having all of my pursuits exterior of music conflict into one, I needed to soar on the alternative. I’d be a idiot to not.
I submitted my audition. Three days later, they got here again and have been like, ‘Do you need to be Zoey?’ I’m like, ‘After all!’ Ever since then — I feel, clearly, we did the recording course of, however I feel post-premiere, it’s simply been very heartwarming to see individuals resonate with every of the characters. However, additionally, I really feel so seen and heard, really, if I’m being trustworthy. Seeing the comparisons — not that Zoey is totally me, however there are such a lot of elements of me that I see in her. We’re fairly type of equivalent.
EJAE: I urged her, too. I’m additionally simply an enormous fan of each of those wonderful artists.
REI AMI: Yeah, I feel simply the followers attaching to the entire characters. Additionally, our counterparts: Yoo Ji-young, Arden Cho, and Might Hong killed it. A few of my favourite scenes, really, that actually get emotional are the talking scenes. The ladies completely did an outstanding job.
Due to EJAE, AUDREY NUNA, and REI AMI for taking the time to debate Kpop Demon Hunters.
