Why 'What It Sounds Like' Outshines 'Golden' in KPop Demon Hunters

Anyone who’s been out and about since June has probably caught the infectious tune 'Golden' by Huntr/x, the fictional girl group at the centre of Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters. The track’s been sitting pretty at the top of the charts, and its big moment in the film is one of the most replayed scenes going. On the surface, it’s a rousing number about backing yourself and embracing who you are. But for Rumi, the main character, things aren’t quite that simple.

For Rumi, 'Golden' is almost the opposite of what it claims to be. There’s another track in the film that really nails her journey and the struggle she faces. That song is 'What It Sounds Like', which ends up being the real anthem about owning your story, scars and all.

The Double-Edged Sword of 'Golden'

That’s not to say 'Golden' doesn’t hit the mark. Outside the film, it’s become a symbol of KPop Demon Hunters’ massive cultural reach (and it’s been on repeat for plenty of locals). But its real strength is in the way it’s written and the tricky spot it holds in the story. It’s a pop banger, sure, but it’s also loaded with meaning. For Huntr/x, the stakes are sky-high. The group needs to perform 'Golden' to seal the Honmoon, a magical barrier that keeps demons at bay. But Rumi pushes herself too hard and strains her voice, showing just how much pressure she’s under to save the day.

Here’s where the clever bit comes in. The lyrics talk up empowerment, but Rumi’s still hiding who she really is. She’s part-demon, something she’s desperate to keep under wraps—even from her mates. Lines like “I’m done hiding” take on a whole new meaning when you know what she’s going through.

Rumi’s Struggle and the Turning Point

Even Rumi seems to know she’s not being honest, especially in the bridge:

“Waited so long to break these walls down / To wake up and feel like me / Put these patterns all in the past now / And finally live like the girl they all see.”

She can’t picture real freedom, only what others expect from her. This tension is no accident—it’s baked into her story. The conflict comes through not just in the words, but in the powerhouse vocals from EJAE, who voices Rumi and wrote a bunch of the film’s songs.

“It had to strain her voice to metaphorically show she is singing in a voice that's not who she is,”

EJAE said on the Zach Sang Show.

“That was the point. That's why it was this non-human voice, a non-human note to reach. And that was all on purpose.”

At this stage, Rumi’s not being real with herself, her friends, or her fans—at least, not yet.

'What It Sounds Like': The Real Anthem

As the film rolls on, Rumi wrestles with her identity and the weight she’s put on her own shoulders. Her relationships with Mira, Zoey, and the Saja Boys’ leader Jinu all play a part. Everything comes to a head when the demons attack, exposing Rumi’s secrets to everyone. With the Honmoon shattered and Huntr/x split up, things look grim. Rumi runs off to confront her mentor Celine, asking why she could never love “all of” Rumi. That’s the moment she finally gets it.

Once she accepts herself, Rumi storms back to crash the Saja Boys’ gig with a new song—one that’s honest and forgiving. It kicks off with:

“Nothing but the truth now.”

'What It Sounds Like' takes the ideas from 'Golden' and makes them real. This time, Rumi means every word. The song fits her voice, and lines like “The scars are part of me, darkness and harmony / My voice without the lies, this is what it sounds like” finally feel genuine.

Celebration and Catharsis Onstage

Rumi’s done hiding, just like she promised in 'Golden', but now it’s for real. The song becomes a proper celebration—joyful, honest, and cathartic. Huntr/x reunite onstage, no secrets left between them. When the crowd joins in for “truth after all this time, our voices all combined / When darkness meets the light, this is what it sounds like”, it’s hard not to get goosebumps. The whole scene is a massive, feel-good moment, with the group finally taking on the Saja Boys and Gwi-ma, and creating a new Honmoon.

All up, 'What It Sounds Like' is the most stirring and uplifting track on the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack. While 'Golden' has made a splash in pop culture, it’s 'What It Sounds Like' that delivers on the story’s promise—and that’s why it stands out as the year’s best.

KPop Demon Hunters is streaming now, with a sequel on the way.