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It’s a big moment for the cast of KPop Demon Hunters. During the Season 51 premiere of Saturday Night Live, EJAE, Rei Ami, and Audrey Nuna surprised audiences with a live performance of “Golden,” the breakout hit from the film. This marked the first time the song was performed live, getting the film’s momentum rolling once again.
A surprise performance that hit the mark
The trio didn’t just perform—they made an entrance. As the singing voices of Rumi, Zoey, and Mira, the central members of the fictional K-pop group Huntrix, they stepped directly from the animated world into reality. Their appearance during a Saturday Night Live skit themed around the movie brought the energy of KPop Demon Hunters to a new stage. And there was no mistaking it: the crowd responded immediately, both in-studio and online.
For fans of the film, this was more than a fun moment. It was a sign that KPop Demon Hunters isn’t just another animated feature. It’s becoming a cross-media phenomenon—a film, a soundtrack, and now, a live performance by its stars.
Next stop: Jimmy Fallon
Building on that SNL performance, Huntrix is scheduled for their first full-length live appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. The trio will be both performing “Golden” in its entirety and sitting down for an interview. For any artist, that show is a major platform. For a fictional group brought to life by three real artists, it’s something even more unique. To read Charlize Theron and Taron Egerton face off in 2026’s Apex trailer
As a viewer who’s followed the blending lines between animation and music, it’s exciting—and genuinely a bit surreal—to see voice actors from an animated film getting this kind of spotlight. It’s clear these aren’t just characters anymore: they’re part of the real pop culture conversation.
A chart-dominating phenomenon
KPop Demon Hunters has become Netflix’s most-loved animated title to date, and the soundtrack is doing just as well, forging a place in music history thanks to its performance on the charts. “Golden,” the anthem of the fictional Huntrix group, toppled Alex Warren’s long-standing No. 1 hit from the Billboard Hot 100. After a brief slip, it reclaimed the top spot and is still holding strong.
And “Golden” isn’t the only chart climber. Two other songs from the film, “Your Idol” and “Soda Pop,” performed by the fictional band Saja Boys, are currently at No. 3 and No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100, showing just how wide the appeal of this soundtrack has become.
In fact, there are six more tracks from the film currently charting, including:
- “Strategy” by K-pop group Twice
- “Dreamcatcher” by Huntrix
- “Pulse” (duet version)
- “Lucky Side”
- “No Halo”
- “Dark Room Disco”
It’s rare to see a soundtrack take over the charts like this—not just one hit, but a full album that fans are living with, revisiting, and streaming on repeat. The last time I felt this kind of traction from a movie’s music might’ve been Frozen or Encanto. But this? This is doing it with a different style, audience, and edgy attitude. To read Ranking Shyamalan’s Hits: Which Film Defines His Legacy?
EJAE steps into the spotlight
EJAE, the voice of Rumi and one of the film’s key songwriters, is now preparing for a leap of her own. Her debut solo single, “In Another World,” is set to release on October 24. On Instagram, she shared a heartfelt message describing the moment as “strange, exciting, and truthfully a little scary.”
Having spent years in songwriting and behind-the-scenes work, her quiet but steady presence has shaped much of KPop Demon Hunters’ emotional depth. To hear her finally stepping into her own artist identity feels like a fitting next chapter. Her words about the track helping her through a “difficult time” added a layer of vulnerability to a project that, while vibrant and explosive on screen, has clearly come from real human experiences.
Success beyond the screen
What started as an animated experiment—merging K-pop flair with supernatural adventure—is now something bigger. KPop Demon Hunters is charming critics, conquering charts, and launching careers. Behind the stylized characters are real artists finding new audiences and creative momentum.
Netflix and Sony Animation are already deep in talks for a sequel, which seems all but inevitable now. The story of this fictional girl group turns out to be just the beginning. And from where I sit, watching this fusion of pop music and animation succeed, I can’t help but hope more studios take risks like this. Sometimes, the most surprising projects leave the deepest impact.
