If you haven’t seen the hit Netflix film KPop Demon Hunters yet, go watch it and then come back! The soundtrack is making huge waves, landing at No. 8 on the Billboard 200. It’s the highest-charting soundtrack since Wicked. It’s also the top-performing animated film soundtrack since Metro Boomin’s Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, which reached No. 7 in July 2023.
On top of that, K-Pop Demon Hunters is the first Netflix show soundtrack in over two years to hit No. 1 on the Top Soundtracks chart, a milestone last reached by Stranger Things: Season 4 in November 2022. Here are some of its recent highlights:
- No. 1 album on the Worldwide iTunes Album Chart
- No. 1 most-streamed album on Spotify as of June 25
- A staggering 1,143.75% increase in streams since June 20
- Eight songs charting globally on Spotify as of June 25
- The Saja Boys breaking into the U.S. Spotify Top 10, making a serious case for Rookie of the Year
So, it’s easy to say that this soundtrack is about to completely dominate my Spotify Wrapped this year. Now, after listening on repeat, I knew I had to rank my favorite tracks for all of you. This isn’t a ranking from least favorite to favorite. It’s a list of the songs I love to listen to on repeat, the ones that tell the best stories, and the absolute bangers that get me hyped every time.
At #7 “Your Idol” – Saja Boys
This track delivers a slick and polished villainous vibe that perfectly captures the swagger and charisma of the Saja Boys. Musically, it’s catchy and well-produced, with a dark, seductive energy that fits the antagonists’ persona like a glove. However, despite its strong surface appeal, it falls short when it comes to lyrical complexity and emotional resonance. It serves its narrative purpose effectively, but ultimately doesn’t have the staying power or impact to climb higher in the ranking.
6. “Soda Pop” – Saja Boys
Catchy, cheeky, and dripping with irony, this track is pure sugar-coated evil. Its upbeat, bubblegum-pop vibe cleverly contrasts with the darker, more sinister hints woven into the lyrics and delivery. It perfectly amplifies the Saja Boys’ flashy image while teasing the shadowy side lurking beneath. The song is definitely an earworm. I find myself humming it often, but it still hasn’t quite surpassed any of the HUNTR/X songs… yet. I’m also obsessed with the TikTok trend of learning the dance! We need more!
5. “Takedown” – HUNTR/X & TWICE
Whether you prefer the aggressive HUNTR/X version or the polished TWICE rendition (with Jeongyeon, Jihyo, and Chaeyoung), Takedown is pure adrenaline. It’s more than just a battle anthem; the song channels the group’s rage toward the demons they’re fighting, while also reflecting Rumi’s inner conflict about her own half-demon identity. The song proves that you can craft a high-energy hit and deliver real emotional weight. Beneath the beat drops and power vocals, the message hits just as hard.
4. “How It’s Done” – HUNTR/X
As the film’s first major musical moment, it serves as the perfect introduction to the world of K-pop Demon Hunters. It’s loud, unapologetic, and dripping with the duality that defines the story. They’re glamorous pop idols on stage, ruthless demon slayers in the shadows. It’s rare for an opening number to work this well on every level: sonically thrilling, visually synchronized, and thematically rich. With the song’s swagger, hard-hitting trap beats, razor-sharp rap verses, and slick, confident vocals, it immediately grabs your attention and doesn’t let go. Seriously, the moment I heard “Fit check for my napalm era,” I was all in.
3. “What It Sounds Like” – HUNTR/X
This finale track doesn’t just close the film; it completes it. Lyrically, the song is soaring with power and heart. The verses explore vulnerability and fear, while the chorus rises like a battle cry of liberation. The song delivers a deeply empowering message about self-acceptance, identity, and the strength that comes from embracing your whole self, flaws, scars, and all. Every member of HUNTR/X gets a chance to shine, both vocally and emotionally, making it a true ensemble moment that feels earned through their shared growth. What It Sounds Like is truly the emotional exhale needed after a journey filled with chaos, conflict, and transformation.
2. “Free” – HUNTR/X & Jinu (EJAE, Andrew Choi)
I’ve genuinely gone back and forth on my top two picks, and honestly, it all depends on the mood. But for today, the breathtaking duet “Free” takes the No. 2 spot.
This song is a masterclass in emotional storytelling. A delicately arranged ballad, it creates space for Rumi and Jinu to confront the parts of themselves they’ve tried to bury. Through lyrical choices and contrasting vocal styles, the track gives us a clear view into where each character is emotionally. The simplicity of the piano, the sincerity of the lyrics, and the intimacy of the duet structure combine to make this one of the most moving moments in the entire film. It’s gentle, vulnerable, and heartbreakingly honest. Rumi and Jinu aren’t just singing to each other; they’re confessing, grieving, and slowly releasing the weight they’ve both carried. This is the kind of song that doesn’t just hit, it lingers.
1. “Golden” – HUNTR/X (EJAE, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami)
Universally praised and undeniably powerful, Golden is more than just a fan-favorite; it’s the emotional heartbeat of the soundtrack and the film itself. The song is a soaring, high-impact anthem that captures everything the film is about: identity, power, and transformation. From the first note, it blends emotional vulnerability with fierce pop production, creating a track that feels just as at home on a stadium stage as it does in a moment of cinematic self-discovery. The verses are stripped back and introspective, letting raw emotion rise to the surface, while the chorus explodes into a full-throttle declaration of growth and strength.
For me, it’s the track you belt out in your room or driving in your car. It’s the one you play when you need to remind yourself who you are. For all those reasons and more, Golden rightfully takes the top spot.
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