Inside the ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Soundtrack: Turning Huntr/x Into a Real-World Phenomenon and Why EJAE Cried Recording ‘Golden’

Amid a year crowded with recycled intellectual property and formulaic music releases, Netflix's animated film "KPop Demon Hunters" carved out a unique space. It featured a completely original soundtrack that masterfully fused the catchy, distinctive elements of K-pop with the storytelling demands of a musical. The reaction was both immediate and extraordinary. The film quickly ascended to the top of Netflix's viewing charts, while its music achieved parallel success on streaming platforms. The standout track, "Golden," soared to number one and recently secured three Grammy nominations, including the prestigious Song of the Year award. The full soundtrack also generated three additional Top 10 hits, a rare feat for a film score.

The creative process began early, with singer-songwriter EJAE—who voices the character Rumi—joining the project before a script was finalized. Her mission was to ensure the music authentically represented K-pop on screen. "Attempting to write lyrics based on a narrative arc was challenging, as it was my first film," EJAE admits. She found a crucial collaborator in Mark Sonnenblick, a veteran of musical theater. Brought together by the film's executive music producer, Ian Eisendrath, the pair developed a potent synergy. Sonnenblick's role focused on translating character development into lyrical and melodic progressions. "My job was to help bring the director's evolving vision to life through music," he explains.

This collaboration is epitomized by "Golden," the film's emotional and commercial centerpiece. EJAE initially freestyled the song's infectious hook after hearing the instrumental track, famously composing it en route to a dentist appointment. She and Sonnenblick then meticulously shaped the lyrics to mirror the protagonist's journey. A key lyrical shift—changing "Endless shine / undying light" to "I'm done hidin' / Now I'm shinin'" in the pre-chorus—perfectly captured the character's pivotal moment of self-assertion. As one entertainment analyst noted, "This attention to narrative detail is what elevates the soundtrack from a collection of pop songs to a genuine story-driving force."

Orchestrating the broader sonic landscape was Ian Eisendrath, who was personally selected for the role by Spring Aspers, President of Music for Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group. Eisendrath's approach was to remain meticulously true to K-pop conventions while judiciously incorporating cinematic elements, such as recording a full string orchestra. "We aimed to deliver everything expected of a top-tier K-pop album, plus all the emotional depth required for a major motion picture," Eisendrath states. A critical partnership was formed with The Black Label, a renowned South Korean hit-making production company founded by producer TEDDY (Park Hong Jun), a key architect of YG Entertainment's signature sound. Producer Danny Chung of The Black Label notes the team was sought to "legitimize the music and cement its authenticity."

This collaboration, however, presented a learning curve. "We initially approached it like a standard pop session," Chung recalls with a laugh. "Integrating a storytelling element was new, but we eventually got the hang of it." Chung contributed tracks like "Soda Pop," a sweet yet sinister anthem, and the vital opening number "How It's Done," which introduces the fictional group Huntr/x. For Chung, the project's core themes resonated deeply. "It explores duality—being human and demon, or navigating Korean and American identities—which many people connect with," he says. EJAE shared this personal connection, revealing she cried while recording the "Golden" demo, channeling her own past experiences from her time in K-pop training into the song's bridge.

Once the music was created, songwriter-producer Savan Kotecha guided its commercial release through his label, Visva Records, in partnership with Republic Records. "I founded Visva out of a pure passion for soundtracks," Kotecha says. Nevertheless, he was stunned by the project's record-breaking success. "I believed in the songs, but predicting this level of chart dominance? No one could have foreseen it." The soundtrack's triumph demonstrates how authentic musical craftsmanship, when seamlessly woven into a narrative, can transcend its medium and achieve widespread cultural impact.