‘KPop Demon Hunters’ | One Sentence Album Reviews
Written by Gwyneth Gravador | July 12, 2025
Netflix’s newest animated film, K-pop Demon Hunters, dropped on June 20th, 2025 alongside one of the most impressive soundtracks of the year. With its stunning visuals and compelling storyline, the film has already been a standout this summer, but its soundtrack is what truly takes it to the next level. Blending high-stakes fantasy with modern K-pop, the soundtrack showcases the genre’s signature production power and emotional depth. Even without seeing the movie, the music alone tells a powerful story, weaving together original vocal tracks with cinematic scoring. As a huge fan of both K-pop and animated films, I had pretty high expectations—and I’m happy to say this soundtrack blew me away.
The soundtrack opens strong with a killer rendition of “Takedown” by none other than TWICE—featuring Jeongyeon, Chaeyoung, and Jihyo. Their voices bring this powerful mix of strength and sweetness that gives the track a whole new flavor. Compared to the original version, this one offers a fresh perspective on the main characters, blending the girls’ signature girl-crush vibe with a gritty hip-hop edge. The choreography paired with the song’s energy is so on point—it feels like classic “TWICE”, but with a darker twist. The trio absolutely owns this performance, and I love how it captures both high energy and authentic K-pop attitude. And the fact that it was produced by iconic producer Lindgren? No wonder it hits so hard. This is definitely a standout moment on the soundtrack for me.
Standout Lyric: “Break you into pieces in a world of pain ‘cause you’re all the same”
One sentence review: K-pop stans will listen to this if they hear someone talk badly about their favs.
“How It’s Done” kicks off the soundtrack and the film with an absolute bang. It’s the first full track and sets the tone right away, with HUNTR/X battling demons mid-flight on their way to their concert. Honestly, that whole scene paired with this song gave me such a strong first impression of the movie. The beat is bold and relentless, perfectly matching the action and making it so fun to watch. It’s easily one of my favorites from the entire soundtrack. The energy reminded me of something Blackpink would drop—fierce, confident, and totally hype. When they hit the lines, “We hunt you down, down, down,” “We got you now, now, now,” and “We show you how”, I legit got goosebumps. With the crowd chants layered in, it felt like I was right there in the stadium, screaming along and ready to fight beside them.
Standout Lyric: “Knockin’ you out like a lullaby, Hear that sound ringin’ in your mind”
One sentence review: Meeting up with my girl crew to take down a bully type vibes.
“Soda Pop” is such a fun surprise. As the debut track for the film’s antagonist group, the Saja Boys, it’s got this bubbly, pop-inspired sound that totally masks their dark, demonic identities. I love how the song plays with that contrast—it’s upbeat, cute, and full of energy, but underneath, there’s this subtle menace that hints at who they really are. The film does such a great job using this sugary, boy-crush-style track to throw us off, while still planting the seeds of something more sinister. It adds a playful twist to the soundtrack, especially compared to the heavier moments. Huge props to Danny Jung and his co-writers for the catchy melodies and addictive rhythm! It’s the kind of song that makes me want to fangirl over the Saja Boys, even knowing they’re the villains.
Standout Lyric: “You’re my soda pop, my little soda pop”
One sentence review: Drinking a fresh fruity boba drink in years.
“Golden” really hit me as the emotional centerpiece of the album. It’s an emo-pop anthem that ties in so beautifully with the film’s most heartfelt moments, showing the girls embracing their true selves. I love how the warm harmonies between the members build into powerful, soaring choruses—it felt like the emotional high point of both the soundtrack and the story. It reminded me a bit of IVE’s “I AM,” especially in the rhythm and energy of the chorus. The song radiates strength, healing, and the unbreakable bond between the girls. It feels like a celebration of everything they’ve overcome together. The fact that it climbed to No. 23 on the Billboard Hot 100? So deserved. I’ll be playing this one on repeat.
Standout Lyric: “I’m done hidin’ now I’m shinin’”
One sentence review: Emotional upbringing during a sleepover with the homies.
“Your Idol,” the second track from the Saja Boys, completely pulled me in. It’s haunting, hypnotic, and really cements them as a villainous pop boy group in the film. As I listened, I couldn’t help but notice how the lyrics explore the darker side of fame, wrestling with identity and survival under the spotlight. There’s something eerie yet playful in the production, blending underground hip-hop with distorted K-pop vocals. The vibe reminded me a lot of EXO’s “Mama,” especially with that deep, anthemic opening. It’s the kind of track that feels theatrical but also real, like it's revealing the Saja Boys’ true selves. Honestly, it’s the perfect sound for a group of beautifully dangerous antagonists.
Standout Line: “You’re down on your knees, I’ma be your idol”
One sentence review: Sick and twisted trees are staring at me while singing a spooky song.
“Free” takes a slower turn with its soaring melody and emotional pull, especially in the duet between HUNTR/X’s Rumi and Saja Boy’s Jinu. It gave me major upbeat pop-meets-K-drama vibes—like one of those heartfelt scenes where two characters finally let it all out. After the chaos the characters go through in the film, this song feels like a breath of relief, a moment of clarity, and triumph. I love that it’s placed right in the middle of the album—it really feels like a turning point, capturing both strength and self-discovery. Rumi and Jinu’s chemistry is so mysterious and moving that it honestly brought me to tears. At the same time, I wanted to sing along with them like it was my own story. This is definitely going on my karaoke queue—it’s just that kind of song.
Standout lyric: “What if we both tried fighting what we’re running from”
One sentence review: Two long-lost friends reconciling and realizing a moment of self-discovery with each other.
“What it Sounds Like” hit me like an adrenaline rush—with its pounding percussion and fast-paced lyrics, I was hooked right away. I really loved how experimental it felt, especially with the powerful rallying cry from the girls. The lyrics struck an emotional chord with me; they felt personal, like I was hearing the characters speak straight from the heart. When I heard the line, “This is what it sounds like,” it gave me chills. It felt like someone finally breaking through the silence, resurfacing from darkness into the light. In a world where it’s hard to be heard, this song reminded me that our voices still matter. For me, it’s a breakthrough track—raw, powerful, and unforgettable.
Standout Lyric: “But now we’re seeing all the beauty in the broken glass”
One sentence review: A bunch of Valkyrie's getting ready for a heartfelt battle.
The soundtrack overall is ultimately more than your typical soundtrack, it’s literally a whole experience to listen to. Every track feels thoughtfully crafted with care and intention, perfectly tailored for its audience. With each listen, I could picture the scenes unfolding in my head, making it feel like I was right there with the characters. It’s a brilliant fusion of K-pop and cinematic storytelling that hits all the right notes. Final verdict? A solid 9.5 out of 10. Trust me… put it on repeat and let the drama play out in your ears!
