Sorry, But Golden Isn’t Even the Most Important Song in KPop Demon Hunters

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Becoming Netflix’s most popular original movie ever – racking up over 500 million views – propelled it to major success during the 2025-2026 awards season. The film’s accolades included a Grammy, two Golden Globes, and two Academy Awards – Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song for its hit song, “Golden.”

Although the popular K-pop song “Golden” has rightfully earned praise, it’s not the most important one in the movie. That title actually belongs to “What It Sounds Like,” which plays during the final battle where Huntrix defeats the Saja Boys and the demon king Gwi-Ma. This song truly sets the stage for the film’s climax.

KPop Demon Hunters’ “Golden” Made History as First Ever Oscar-Winning K-pop Song

“Golden,” performed by EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami, achieved international success, reaching over 30 countries and making history as the first K-pop song to win both a Grammy and an Oscar. Music critics have praised the song’s incredible vocal range – spanning three octaves – and its use of a particularly challenging high A5 note, usually only sung by opera singers. EJAE, a celebrated songwriter and vocalist for Rumi, intentionally included this difficult note to showcase Rumi’s powerful voice and strong spirit.

Think of “Golden” as the song where Huntrix shares their hopes and dreams. While it’s about who they are and where they see themselves heading, it also expresses their feelings of being misunderstood and the need to keep parts of themselves hidden.

The song serves a dual purpose: it’s intended to protect humans from demons through a ritual called a “Golden Moon,” but also unintentionally reveals Rumi’s secret – that she’s part demon. “Golden” refers to a mentor who taught Rumi to hide her flaws and heritage from her friends, Mira and Zoey. The song starts with an energetic K-pop vibe, but shifts to a darker, more subdued tone in the bridge, mirroring Rumi’s internal struggle and loneliness. Desperate to move past her troubled past, Rumi rushes to release the song, ultimately pushing herself too hard and finding she can no longer sing it without her voice cracking.

As a huge fan of KPop Demon Hunter, I was so excited to hear “Golden” in the movie – it’s basically the official anthem! It showed up twice, first in the music video and then during Huntrix’s amazing performance at the Idol Awards. That second performance was wild though! Demons messed with Rumi and made her start performing their song, “Takedown.” She couldn’t even finish it, and it really hit home that Rumi needs to embrace her true self and not try to hide who she is. It was a powerful moment!

KPop Demon Hunters’ Most Oscar-Worthy Tracks Aren’t Even K-pop Songs

With the film’s focus on K-pop Idol culture, the majority of the songs are heavily choreographed and performed in front of hordes of screaming fans. “What It Sounds Like” is one of only two songs in the film that are impromptu musical numbers where the characters spontaneously break into song to express their feelings. The other exception to the film’s more K-pop-inspired musical numbers is the emotional ballad, “Free.”

This song is a musical portrayal of a deeply personal connection, where the two singers reveal their most vulnerable feelings and find freedom in each other’s company. Through “What It Sounds Like,” director Maggie Kang and the team behind KPop Demon Hunters tackle complex issues like mixed heritage, queer identity, and addiction to show Rumi’s internal struggles and the parts of herself she keeps hidden.

The songs “Free” and “What It Sounds Like” stand out on the soundtrack as the only tracks performed entirely in English, and they have a different feel than most K-pop music, which often blends different cultural sounds. According to Ian Eisdendrath, the music producer for KPop Demon Hunters, “What It Sounds Like” captures Rumi’s true voice, free from the polished image often found in K-pop. The final song showcases Rumi’s powerful and genuine vocals. These songs are meant to be a raw expression of the characters’ fears and hopes, reflecting their journey towards self-acceptance.

KPop Demon Hunters'”What It Sounds Like” Is About Honesty, Healing and Self-Acceptance

During a chilling performance of her hit song “Your Idol” at Namsan Tower, Rumi, appearing defeated but still powerful, captivates and frightens the audience with a haunting version of the Hunter’s Mantra. As she embraces both her light and dark sides, symbolized by vibrant rainbows illuminating her past insecurities, Rumi finds peace. The upbeat song “What It Sounds Like” represents the end of her internal struggle. After confronting Celine about her struggle with self-acceptance, Rumi understands she can’t achieve perfection or fix the world, but she can learn to love and accept herself completely.

When Rumi openly admits her struggles with shame and self-doubt, it breaks the spell Gwi-Ma had over Mira and Zoey, demonstrating the strength of their friendship and the importance of forgiveness. Still dressed in her stage outfits from the Idol Awards, Rumi now displays her unique patterns with pride instead of concealing them. As Mira and Zoey accept Rumi for who she is, the magical energy of Honmoon transforms their outfits. The dark colors fade away, leaving pure white clothes with glowing patterns, representing their journey to overcome their fears and embrace acceptance.

The final song, “What It Sounds Like,” builds anticipation for the climactic showdown between Huntrix and Saja Boys. Rumi, Mira, and Zoey share their journey of overcoming challenges and accepting their flaws. Their heartfelt reflections resonate with the audience, inspiring a sense of awakening and healing.

This scene is the climax of the story, leading directly to Jinu’s tragic sacrifice. Motivated by her desire for a better world, Jinu saves Rumi and heals his damaged spirit. Empowered by her strengthened sword, Jinu’s selfless act, combined with the support of his fans, gives Rumi the power he needs to finally defeat Gwi-Ma.

While “Golden” is the most prominent K-pop song in the film, it truly highlights Rumi’s deep need to prove her worth to herself and to Celine. The song preceding it reveals what the demon hunters desire, and “What It Sounds Like” shows those desires coming true, ultimately uniting fans in a way “Golden” initially promised. This fan engagement leads to tangible change, empowering Huntrix to defeat Gwi-Ma and rebuild Honmoon. As the song concludes, so does their battle, and the final moments of KPop Demon Hunters serve as an epilogue, depicting Rumi, Mira, and Zoey connecting with young fans and demonstrating the strength of self-acceptance and the transformative power of healing.

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2026-03-29 21:43