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Forbes
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
17 Songs If You Love Saja Boys' 'Your Idol' From 'K-Pop Demon Hunters'
'Kpop Demon Hunters' and Saja Boys singer Kevin Woo attends the KPop Demon Hunters Special Screening ... More at Netflix Tudum Theater on June 16, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo byfor Netflix) Getty Images for Netflix KPop Demon Hunters has not only taken over Netflix as the Number One movie but has sent its soundtrack soaring up the charts as it reigns as the third-biggest album in America this week. On July 7, Billboard reported that the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack is the highest-charting soundtrack of 2025 so far and is the highest-charting soundtrack to an animated film since Encanto hit Number One in 2022. In the past week, the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack earned 77.42 million streams for its songs, marking the largest streaming week for a soundtrack since the Barbie soundtrack claimed just over 79 million in August 2023. Leading the initial charge among the Kpop Demon Hunters' songs is 'Your Idol,' performed by the demons-in-disguise boy band Saja Boys. The track was the soundtrack's breakout hit, entering the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart at Number 77 as the original highest-ranking hit from the OST and leading the way for more songs to break through in a big way like HUNTR/X's 'Golden.' The singing on 'Your Idol' was handled by Andrew Choi, Neckwav, Danny Chung, Kevin Woo and samUIL Lee. Notably, Kevin Woo is a former K-pop idol himself (as a member of the boy band U-KISS from 2008 until 2017), while Andrew Choi, Neckwav, Danny Chung, and samUIL Lee have all written songs for major K-pop acts, including SHINee, MIN, BLACKPINK, SEVENTEEN and many more. Performed during one of the movie's more harrowing moments, 'Your Idol' taps into the dark side of K-pop, a concept many artists use to showcase a new aspect of their artistry and creativity. As new fans dive deep into the twists and turns of the film's storyline and look into the different styles heard throughout the soundtrack, now is the perfect time to dive deeper into the world of K‑pop if you are still to make the leap. Maybe you'll love some dark K-pop concepts? So, if you love Saja Boys' here are 17 similar tracks from established K-pop legends BTS and Max Changmin of TVXQ! alongside newer and rising stars like ENHYPEN and KINGDOM to add to your playlists and expand your K-pop education. Forbes 10 Song Recommendations If You Love HUNTR/X's 'Golden' From 'KPop Demon Hunters' By Jeff Benjamin Since their debut, ENHYPEN has been developing a dark, vampire-inspired storyline to complement their music and visuals. The group's 2023 single 'Bite Me' takes the mysterious pop sound utilized by Saja Boys in 'Your Idol' with a modern twist, with production by Top 40 hitmakers Cirkut (whose credits include Number One hits by The Weeknd, Sam Smith and Katy Perry) and Jason Evigan (Demi Lovato, Maroon 5, Benson Boone). When EXO hit the K-pop scene in 2012, the boy band instantly drew curious listeners in with the ominous choir motif in their single 'MAMA' that many fans instantly drew parallels to 'Your Idol.' While 'MAMA' is certainly more experimental than the Saja Boys' single, you have to hand it to both groups; they know how to pull off the sinister sound. The knocking hip-hop-inspired single from 2021 features a modern sound with a subtle dose of dark mystery, incorporating eerie vocal samples, twisting drill beats, and intense vocal performance. One of K-pop's most ambitious uses of choirs, Jimin set the stage for his history-making solo album, Face , with its regal pre-release single, 'Set Me Free Pt. 2,' which showcased an entirely new side of the BTS superstar. Before he even turned 30, Taemin was considered a living K-pop legend with the SHINee singer able to match any musical concept, dance or style. Released a day before Halloween in 2023, 'Guilty' lets the superstar utilize his bone-chilling falsetto to deliver lines like, 'Poison apple…you wanna take a bite / Hands outstretched, in danger, sinking deeper.' An oft-overlooked BTS single, 'Black Swan' is one of their most raw performances where the international superstars share anxieties about burning out of their passions. Released ahead of the group's record-breaking Map of the Soul: 7 album, 'Black Swan' helped the world recognize BTS as the deep, introspective artists their fans had known them to be from the beginning. Another K-pop legend with more than two decades in the industry, Max Changmin reinvented himself once again with the title track from his 2022 EP. While Max had showcased smooth R&B and ballads in his previous solo work, 'Devil' delivered something quite sinister, with its minimal, hymn-like humming and a cinematically evil music video. If the song title wasn't obvious enough, KINGDOM used the 2021 single 'Black Crown' to share the latest chapter in their medieval-inspired concept, complete with ominous choirs and range-defying vocals. While Saja Boys evoke the image of a jeoseung saja (the Korean equivalent of the grim reaper) for 'Your Idol,' KINGDOM reference other villainous characters in the 'Black Crown' video like a ghastly king, warriors on horseback and a crow. As one of the biggest K-pop solo stars of his generation, Kang Daniel has never been afraid to embrace his dark side and let fans get to know him better through music. Not just in its sound, 'PARANOIA' lets Daniel directly address his tormentors as well as his inner demons. 'The theme in itself is heavy and distant, but since I'm resolving feelings I've personally felt, I wanted to express them honestly,' Kang said of the song. 'The reason I put focus on such a dark aspect is because the majority of people are reluctant to bring this up. I wanted to confess my inner concerns and communicate them.' Kim Woo Seok was first introduced to fans through the boy band UP10TION but quickly reached even greater heights with his solo career. Showing his versatility, Woo Seok's four solo albums released so far see him take on a range of concepts. 'Dawn,' off his 2023 Blank Page, delivers an alluring R&B sound that he perfectly matches with a vocal performance that ranges from spine-tingling falsetto belts to breathy purrs. Another truly versatile K-pop act, PENTAGON chose the intensely dark 'Dr. BeBe' as the lead single for their first full-length album, Universe: The Black Hall , which helped the group hit new heights in their career. While VICTON waited several years for their breakout success, the boy band brought out the slinky, sinister summer single 'Mayday' in 2020 to keep their upward trajectory. Just like 'Your Idol' did for Saja Boys, 'Mayday' allowed the group to share a new side of their artistry with fans. As further proof of how well VICTON performed when embracing darker concepts, eldest member Han Seung Woo released his debut solo single, 'Sacrifice,' featuring an otherworldly vocal performance that hit notes that sounded like he had made a deal with the devil to achieve them. During NU'EST's decade together, the group established itself as a true shape-shifter, able to do anything from bright pop gems to dark tracks like 'I'm in Trouble' in 2020. A dark bassline backs the guys' spine-tingling single styles to declare, ' Ooh! I'm in trouble.' The standout track from EXO's second full-length album EXODUS , the cinematic cut sounds like it could soundtrack a horror-action blockbuster film about a quest to find the mythical city of gold. Another example of Kim Woo Seok's versatility as a performer, 'Red Moon' allows him to showcase his ability to embrace another dark concept with a slinkier, lighter production, anchored around a slightly creepy sing-along hook. A signature song for ENHYPEN's ongoing vampire lore, 'Moonstruck' is the opening track for the group's mega-selling ROMANCE : UNTOLD album from 2024. The track's producer, Slow Rabbit, told Rolling Stone that he thinks 'Moonstruck' is particularly special for the group. 'The song highlights each member's voice, and the lyrics perfectly reflect the group's distinct storyline,' the hitmaker shared. 'I'm sure that [ENHYPEN's fan army] ENGENEs have probably heard this song at concerts or year-end stages, but I think it's a hidden gem.' Another example of Kim Woo Seok's versatility as a performer, 'Red Moon' lets him take on another dark concept but with a slinkier, lighter production centered around a sing-along While Demon Hunters proves the universal appeal of K-pop hallmarks, the dark boy band concept isn't limited to South Korea. Filipino boy band SB19 has achieved international success while increasingly embracing more mature music releases. While K-pop idols from top groups like Super Junior, 2NE1, ATEEZ, THE BOYZ, Kep1er, ZEROBASEONE and many more have recreated SB19 choreography through different viral challenges, the group's 2025 single 'DAM' feels like a perfect type of track to pair alongside Saja Boys' 'Your Idol.' Co-written and composed by member Pablo, 'DAM' is all the more impressive for coming straight from the group members themselves and having a global appeal. As Kpop Demon Hunters ' popularity looks to keep growing, the movie's influence could inspire even more dark-pop hits, so it's best to get listening now .
Hype Malaysia
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hype Malaysia
Meet The Singing Voices Behind Saja Boys From Netflix's 'K-Pop Demon Hunters'
On 20th June (Friday), Netflix released 'K-pop Demon Hunters', an animated film that quickly grabbed the public's attention. The story combines heartfelt messages, hilarious scenes, and a romance that fans are falling for, making it easy to see why many expect it to win awards. It strikes a perfect balance between emotion and humour, keeping viewers fully engaged from start to finish. However, what really sets the film apart are the catchy musical numbers that stay with you long after watching. These songs bring energy and excitement to the story, perfectly capturing the vibrant spirit of K-pop. In this listicle, we're going to talk about the singing voices behind Saja Boys, the rival demon boy band in the film, and explore the talent that brings their music to life. Jinu – Andrew Choi (최승주) It's well known that Jinu's speaking voice is performed by Ahn Hyo-seop (안효섭), a popular actor admired for his expressive vocal delivery. However, the character's singing segments are performed by Andrew Choi (최승주), a skilled composer and vocalist signed to SM Entertainment, one of Korea's top K-pop agencies. Choi first gained recognition as the third-place finalist on 'K-Pop Star Season Two' and has since built a strong career writing and producing for major K-pop groups. His credits include songs for Monsta X (몬스타엑스), EXO‑K (엑소), TVXQ (동방신기) and SHINee's (샤이니) Taemin (태민), showcasing his ability to craft smooth, emotionally rich music that complements both vocal performance and storytelling. Abby – Neckwav Abby is widely recognised as Jinu's second-in-command, voiced by the talented Sungwon Cho (조성원), also known online as ProZD. Meanwhile, the singing voice of Abby is brought to life by the gifted artist known as Neckwav. Since 2019, Neckwav has frequently collaborated with the production duo Rarekook, crafting a distinctive blend of smooth hip‑hop and R&B. This stylish fusion perfectly reflects his stage name, which hints at the feeling his music evokes: a beat so groovy and immersive that it literally makes your neck wave. Mystery – Kevin Woo (우성현) Mystery is the only character whose singing voice is performed by a K-pop idol. While Alan Lee handles the speaking lines, Kevin Woo (우성현) of U-KISS (유키스) lends his voice for the character's songs. Known for his versatility, the artist is known to have successfully bridged Western and Korean media. He debuted with the Korean group U-KISS before moving on to pursue a solo career. Baby – Danny Chung Baby is the maknae (youngest) of the group. While he doesn't have a credited voice actor in the casting, his singing actor is Danny Chung, a well-known songwriter who has worked with THEBLACKLABEL and artists under YG Entertainment such as BLACKPINK (블랙핑크), Jay Park (박재범), SOMI (전소미), CL (이채린), Zion.T (자이언티), and Jessi (제시). Romance – SamUIL Lee And lastly, Romance, who is hinted to be Mira's other love interest in the film, is voiced by Joel Kim Booster (김준민). Meanwhile, his singing actor is SamUIL Lee, previously known as Taebot. The producer is known for his distinctive blend of R&B, pop, and electronic influences. However, further details about his previous works and contributions to the music industry are limited. Sources: Koreaboo, Poclanos, Instagram (1)(2)(3), Genius Zaima Humaria contributed to this article. What's your Reaction? +1 0 +1 0 +1 0 +1 0 +1 0 +1 0
Hype Malaysia
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hype Malaysia
Korean Actor Lee Junyoung To Hold Fanmeeting In KL This August
Great news for fans of South Korean actor Lee Junyoung (이준영)! The 'When Life Gives You Tangerines' star will make his way to Malaysia later this year for his first solo fan meeting in Kuala Lumpur! Recently, Lee Junyoung's agency, BILLIONS, unveiled dates and stops for his first fan meeting tour, 'Scene by JUNYOUNG'. Besides meeting fans in Seoul, the actor will also hold fan meetings in Taipei, Macau, Jakarta and KL. Lee Junyoung's fan meeting in KL takes place on 30th August 2025 (Saturday). More details about the event, including venue and ticket prices, will be announced soon. Lee Junyoung, who also goes by the stage name Jun, debuted as a member of the K-pop group U-KISS (유키스). After winning the survival program 'The Unit', he debuted in the project group UNB. However, the 28-year-old is most notable for his acting career and has starred in several hit series, including 'Melo Movie', 'When Life Gives You Tangerines' and 'Weak Class Hero 2'. This event will be Lee Junyoung's first appearance in KL since making his debut in the entertainment industry. According to reports, the fan meeting will feature fun activities and engaging segments with the star. The actor has already sold out his Seoul fan meeting, so fans definitely won't want to miss out on this opportunity to meet the actor in person. Here are the details of the event: Lee Junyoung 'Scene by JUNYOUNG' Fanmeeting In Kuala Lumpur Date: 30th August 2025 (Saturday) Time: TBA Venue: TBA More details on the event will be announced soon, so stay tuned to this space. Are you excited to meet Lee Junyoung in person in Malaysia? Source: Twitter What's your Reaction? +1 0 +1 0 +1 0 +1 0 +1 0 +1 0
