Maggie Kang, director of the Netflix animated feature "KPop Demon Hunters", has shared the story behind “Golden,” the film’s breakout soundtrack that soared to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Speaking at a press conference at CGV Yongsan in Seoul on Aug. 22, Kang called “Golden” the hardest song to crack. “It was the most difficult track to make because it had to hit multiple goals to deliver real dramatic impact,” she said.
“‘Golden’ needed to be the signature anthem for our lead, Rumi―her wishes and her fire, all in one,” Kang continued. “Like the centerpiece number in a traditional musical, it had to land emotionally. To get there, we had to make sure the audience truly understood each character’s backstory in the film―from Rumi, the daughter of a singer, to Mira, who has a mischievous past, and more.”
Kang also broke down the musical brief. “Our movie is about the power of music. ‘Golden’ had to be vocally demanding. When singers soar into those high notes, our hearts race―we feel more. The song went through seven or eight versions. I heard the final cut in the car on the way to Vancouver Airport and thought, ‘This is it,’ and I cried.”
"KPop Demon Hunters" follows K-pop superstars Rumi, Mira, and Zoey―glamorous onstage, secret heroes off it―as they protect the world in a high-energy action-fantasy. Released in June on Netflix, the film has become the streamer’s most successful animated title and its No. 2 most-watched movie ever.
The soundtrack is a smash, too. “Golden,” performed in the film by idol group HUNTR/X, claimed the Billboard Hot 100’s top spot on Aug. 11.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)