This summer, one of the most powerful soundtracks emerged not from a chart-topping idol group, but from a K-pop-inspired animated feature. KPop Demon Hunters, produced by Sony Pictures with major contributions from star producers at THEBLACKLABEL, quickly captured global attention after its June 20 premiere on Netflix, debuting at No. 1 on the platform’s Global Film chart.
Centered around HUNTR/X, a fictional girl group battling evil spirits, and their rival boy band called Saja Boys, the film playfully blends the worlds of K-pop, animation and superhero action. Unlike traditional K-pop content built around real-life stars and fandoms, KPop Demon Hunters constructs a wholly original universe where music and narrative are developed hand-in-hand from the ground up.
The film’s lead track, “Golden” by HUNTR/X, made history by peaking at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reaching No. 1 on the Global 200 — a largely unprecedented feat for a fictional act. Other tracks from the soundtrack, including “Your Idol,” “How It’s Done” and “Soda Pop,” quickly dominated streaming platforms worldwide. According to Billboard, Netflix plans to submit “Golden” for best original song at the upcoming Academy Awards, positioning the film for a dual run at both the Billboard charts and the Oscars.
But the success of KPop Demon Hunters goes beyond cutting-edge animation. The music itself is the heartbeat of the story, infusing every scene with emotion and narrative weight. These aren’t just songs; they’re weapons in a world where idols literally fight demons through performance.
At the heart of this musical vision are THEBLACKLABEL’s powerhouse producers: IDO (YUHAN, ZHUN and NHD), Vince and Dominsuk. Known for crafting hits like BLACKPINK’s “Pink Venom,” BIGBANG’s “Still Life,” TAEYANG’s “VIBE,” SOMI’s “Fast Forward,” ALLDAY Project’s “FAMOUS” and MEOVV’s “MEOW” and “DROP TOP,” these producers took on an entirely new challenge: creating music not for real artists, but for animated characters with their own story arcs and emotional depth.
What began as an experiment in fictional world-building turned into a cultural phenomenon, sparking global chart success, viral challenges and even Oscar buzz. We sat down with IDO, Vince and Dominsuk to hear how they brought this ambitious project to life — translating visuals into sound, weaving narrative through rhythm, and proving just how far K-pop can stretch when imagination leads the way.
KPop Demon Hunters is quite a departure from the usual projects we see from THEBLACKLABEL. What inspired you to take on the challenge of creating music for fictional characters instead of real-life K-pop idols?
Vince: I was intrigued the moment I heard it was a Sony Pictures project. They’re the same studio behind Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, which I absolutely loved, so I’ve always had a strong affinity for their work. What really stood out was the way they blended a classic superhero narrative with K-pop storytelling — it was so fresh. I also found the visual elements really compelling — like the characters wearing traditional Korean traditional hats [gat], hanbok-inspired outfits, and the overall Korean-inspired aesthetic.
Which tracks and parts did each of you work on? And were there any moments during the process that particularly stood out?
IDO (ZHUN): I produced “Golden,” “How It’s Done” and “Your Idol.” I also worked on the track used during HUNTR/X’s intro scene at the start of the film. One moment that really sticks with me is from the storyboard for “How It’s Done.” There’s this intense action sequence, and suddenly it cuts to a character eating ramen — it was so random and hilarious. That lighthearted energy ended up bleeding into the music naturally.
Vince: I produced “Soda Pop” and also worked on “Your Idol.”
Dominsuk: I produced “Soda Pop.”
Did you have any idea this music would grow beyond just an animated soundtrack? All the tracks charted on Billboard, and “Golden” is even being discussed as a strong Oscar contender for best original song.
IDO (YUHAN): Honestly, I never imagined we’d be talking about the Oscars while working on K-pop. It’s opened up a whole new realm of possibilities for us, and it’s been a deeply meaningful experience.
Vince: To be honest, not at all. I was just focused on crafting music that would match the visuals. Of course, we poured our hearts into it — as if we were producing tracks for a real K-pop group — but I didn’t expect it to resonate this strongly. In the end, I think it’s the synergy between the music and visuals that struck a chord with people.
IDO (ZHUN): Now that we’re here, I’m daring to dream of topping the Billboard Hot 100 — or even winning a Grammy. Dreams are free, right? I just hope this leads to even more great outcomes in the future.
Many fans have described the soundtrack as quintessentially “K-pop.” Did you deliberately aim for that, or were there conscious efforts to differentiate it from traditional K-pop? How did you incorporate THEBLACKLABEL’s signature sound?
Vince: We didn’t set out to make it sound “K-pop.” Our only goal was to make good music that fit great visuals. I think what people call “K-pop” today goes beyond just genre — it’s a blend of visuals, performance, storytelling and music. We simply aimed to create catchy pop tracks that people would enjoy. Since the music was made by Korean creators, it naturally ended up being labeled as K-pop — but that label was never the starting point.
IDO (ZHUN): Same here. Rather than trying to make it sound like K-pop, we focused on how to bring emotional depth to the characters and their narrative. We wove in THEBLACKLABEL’s signature elements — like catchy drops and unique grooves — very organically. We also mixed Korean and English lyrics to give it a more global feel. I think all of that came together pretty naturally in the final tracks.
The tempo and structure of “Soda Pop,” performed by the fictional boy band Saja Boys, seems perfectly tailored for a viral dance challenge. Was that intentional?
Dominsuk: We didn’t set out to create a challenge track. But while making it, the idea that “this could be fun as a challenge” did cross my mind. I just didn’t expect the reaction to blow up the way it did. Music has a way of taking on a life of its own — often in ways even the creators didn’t anticipate.
The casting of vocalists with strong synergy to each character was also a hot topic. How were the vocalists selected, and what influenced those choices?
Vince: The final vocalist decisions were made by the production team, but we were involved early on, especially in discussing what kind of tone would best suit each character and scene. It’s not just about the vocal style fitting the music; it also has to match the voice acting and emotional rhythm of the animation. We went through a few different vocalists before landing on the perfect fits, and I think the end result was really well balanced.
If you had to compare the soundtrack’s sound to a real-life K-pop group, who would it be?
Vince: We didn’t model the songs after any particular artist — we just immersed ourselves in the characters and their emotions. But if I had to name a few, BLACKPINK or BTS come to mind. They both have strong global branding and powerful music and performances.
Vince, you’re not only a producer but also an artist yourself, with a new single dropping in August. From your perspective at the frontlines of K-pop, how do you think KPop Demon Hunters has influenced the current K-pop landscape?
Vince: I think the biggest achievement is that it introduces K-pop to a wider range of audiences — especially younger generations — in a really natural way. Globally, I hope it helps shape a more positive and expansive perception of what K-pop can be.
There’s already buzz about a sequel. If you were to return for a second film, what kind of music would you want to create?
IDO (YUHAN): If HUNTR/X gets a new rival group [in a sequel], I’d love to produce for them. I’d want to explore a darker, more electronic sound than we used this time.
Working outside your usual environment can often be the biggest creative trigger. Was this project that kind of moment for you? And if so, are there any global artists you dream of collaborating with in the future? It’s a Billboard interview, after all — so maybe it could happen!
IDO (ZHUN): I’ve always loved electronic music — Skrillex was a big influence growing up — and lately I’ve been really into Fred again.. He’s definitely on my collaboration wish list.
IDO (YUHAN): I’m also a fan of electronic music like ZHUN, but the first artist that comes to mind for a dream collab is The Weeknd.
IDO (NHD): I’d love to work with 2hollis. His bass-heavy, hyperpop-inspired sound is so fresh — it’d be an exciting creative challenge.
Dominsuk: I’ve been listening to a lot of Fred again.. lately. I’d also love to collaborate with Justin Bieber someday — it’s been one of my biggest goals as a producer.
Vince: I’m lucky enough to be collaborating with one of my dream artists right now. I can’t reveal who just yet, but we’ve got a single coming out in August. It’s a summer-ready track that I think a lot of people will enjoy, so stay tuned.
