‘Golden’ songwriter isn’t sure he’ll return for ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ sequel

Huntr/x HUNTR/X K-POP GROUP HUNTR/X is a fictional K-pop girl group featured in Netflix’s animated film “KPop Demon Hunters”. in Netflix's 'KPop Demon Hunters' [https://www.nme.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/KPop-Demon-Hunters-Netflix.jpg]

One of the writers of ‘Golden’ from KPop Demon Hunters is not sure if he will be returning for the hit movie’s sequel.

The song was a runaway success last year, becoming the first K-pop song to top the UK Singles Chart since ‘Gangnam Style’ and reaching Number One in over 30 other countries. Last week, it won the Grammy for Best Song Written For Visual Media and it also picked up a Golden Globe last month.

Mark Sonnenblick was one of the writers of ‘Golden’, having previously worked on The Devil Wears Prada musical, as well as songs from Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile and Spirited. In a new interview, however, he has said he is not certain that he will be returning for the Demon Hunters sequel.

Speaking to the BBC, he spoke about the song’s recent nomination for an Oscar for Best Song, saying: ”The only reason this nomination happened is fans responded and told other people to watch the film.”

It is now officially the most watched film in Netflix history, and it has already been confirmed that a follow-up film is in the pre-production stage.

“There’s going to be a whole development process before we get deep into writing the songs,” Sonnenblick said. “The music will follow from the story and that’s if it makes sense for us all to be doing it again.”

The performers of ‘Golden’ – EJAE (singing the voice of Rumi), Audrey Nuna (Mira) and Rei Ami (Zoey) – will be singing the song at the BAFTA Awards on February 22, their first public performance outside of the US. The film, however, is not eligible for the awards due to regulations surrounding cinema releases.

The creative team behind ‘Golden’ have also revealed that they drew inspiration from Eminem, Drake and Lil Wayne when writing the song. Director Maggie Kang said: “This concept is so wackadoo, the songs had to be fantastic for it to be accepted. And it was important for us that the songs served the story but then, as stand-alone pop songs, could be on the Billboard charts.”

Her co-director, Chris Appelhans, said of the track: “’Golden,’ our references were a Biggie track called ‘Juicy.’ There was Drake, Eminem, Lil Wayne. Those were songs about starting as nobodies and finding yourself through music.”

‘Golden’ was named as the second best song of 2025 by NME, while KPop Demon Hunters was also included in the films of 2025 list.

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