K‑Pop Demon Hunters (Soundtrack from the Netflix Film)

Background & Story

From director duo Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans and music backed by Universal’s Republic Records, K‑Pop Demon Hunters follows the girl group HUNTR/X—Rumi, Mira, and Zoey—who balance global pop stardom with secret demon‑hunting duties in a futuristic Seoul. The soundtrack doesn’t just accompany the film—it drives its narrative, capturing everything from battle scenes to emotional reckoning through genre‑blending K‑pop anthems by real artists like TWICE and Ejae Wikipedia+15EW.com+15Amazon+15.

Track-by-Track Review

1. How It’s Done (HUNTR/X) – ~3:30

Strengths: Explosive opener; merges fight scenes with performance energy.
Weakness: Very aggressive—might overwhelm casual listeners.
Comment: Establishes HUNTR/X’s power and mission instantly Netflix Wikipedia.

2. Golden (HUNTR/X) – 3:09

Strengths: Emotional depth, chart-topping melody.
Weakness: Less theatrical than opening.
Comment: A turning point song—both defiant and vulnerable. Matched #1 on Billboard Global 200 TheWrap+3Wikipedia+3Wikipedia+3.

3. Takedown (HUNTR/X / TWICE version) – ~3:50

Strengths: Feels like a diss track—raw and fierce.
Weakness: Twice’s version is polished but tamed.
Comment: Fuelled digital fandom; spawned viral TikTok dance challenge Wikipedia+2Wikipedia+2Reddit+2 Wikipedia Wikipedia+1Netflix+1.

4. Your Idol (Saja Boys) – ~3:40

Strengths: Deceptively bubblegum with sinister undertones.
Weakness: Hollow feeling—intentional but noticeable contrast.
Comment: Mirrors the demonic rival group’s surface charm Netflix.

5. Strategy (Twice feat. Megan Thee Stallion) – ~3:00

Strengths: Bold crossover track; international flair.
Weakness: Doesn’t integrate as deeply into film’s lore.
Comment: Repurposed from Twice’s EP; fits the soundtrack’s mood despite minor disjunction People.com+11Wikipedia+11Netflix+11 Netflix.

6. Love, Maybe (MeloMance) & Path (Jokers) — included as pre-existing songs.

Strengths: Emotional ballad depth, indie sensibility.
Weakness: Not original to the project.
Comment: Adds authenticity and tonal variety Netflix.

Recommended Tracks

How It’s Done — introduces everything
Golden — emotional centerpiece
Takedown (either HUNTR/X or TWICE) — crowd-fueled intensity
Your Idol — narrative foil
Strategy — pop crossover appeal

Trivia & Inside Notes

Seven soundtrack songs landed on Billboard Hot 100, highlighting its global impact Amazon+13Netflix+13Wikipedia+13 Wikipedia+2Wikipedia+2Wikipedia+2 Music Business Worldwide.
“Golden” hit #1 on Global 200 and charted across over 20 countries TheWrap+3Wikipedia+3Cinemablend+3.
“Takedown” by Twice became a TikTok craze, marking it as a viral moment for the soundtrack Wikipedia Netflix.
Producers include heavyweight names like Teddy Park, Lindgren, Jenna Andrews, and executive producer Ian Eisendrath, blending Broadway sensibility with K‑pop flair Aftonbladet+9Netflix+9Wikipedia+9.

Release & Reception

Release Date: June 20, 2025, via Republic Records / Netflix Music EW.com+5Wikipedia+5Wikipedia+5.
Billboard 200: Debuted at #8—highest-charting 2025 soundtrack; #1 on Soundtracks chart People.com+4Wikipedia+4Music Business Worldwide+4.
Film Views: Netflix’s most‑watched animated film ever—over 106 million streams by July 2025 People.com+3Music Business Worldwide+3The Guardian+3.
Critical Acclaim: Praised for merging musical storytelling and K‑pop production; seamlessly executed as a digital-era musical film Cinemablend ComicBook.com The Guardian.

Final Verdict

Rating: 7.0/10

This soundtrack is more than promotional—it’s a cultural phenomenon in musical form. With countless earworms, emotional highs, infectious hooks, and cinematic resonance, K‑Pop Demon Hunters stands as one of 2025’s most impactful soundtrack albums. It pushes boundaries, elevates animation, and proves K‑pop’s storytelling potential beyond the stage.

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