The nominations for the 2026 Grammy Awards were announced last Friday, and the hottest animated film of the year, KPop Demon Hunters, is a five-time contender. Netflix’s most-watched original animated film of all time is in the running for Song of the Year, Best Song Written for Visual Media, Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, Best Remixed Recording, and Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media. With the exception of the last category, all the others are in recognition for only one particular song from the film: “Golden.”
Warning: The following contains spoilers for KPop Demon Hunters.
“Golden” from KPop Demon Hunters is what “Let It Go” is to Frozen: an earworm-worthy track composed to be so memorable, so catchy, that to have heard the song before seeing the actual film is all too easy. Trust me, I speak from experience. I saw KPop Demon Hunters for the first time just last month, yet I was already familiar with some of the songs. Even before getting context for how each of the songs appears in the film, I already believed one thing about the soundtrack that the Grammy nominations have only reinforced by primarily recognizing “Golden” — “What It Sounds Like” is the underrated banger and true heart of KPop Demon Hunters.
Already, just look at when these two songs appear in the film. In the case of “Golden,” it’s more than once. Introduced in the first act as the hottest new song from KPop group Huntr/x, it paints a picture of the group’s members overcoming great strides before finally arriving in a better place. Or so it seems at first, until it’s just as quickly revealed that Rumi is of demon heritage on her father’s side, and is working hard — too hard — to seal the Honmoon and supposedly erase all evidence of her being part demon. Every time the song appears after that, it’s as Rumi struggles so much that she can’t hit the high note. Yet later in the film, when she finally does, she’s all alone, with Mira and Zoey having been lured away by impostor demons.
It’s a song about being in a better place, yet every time it’s featured, it’s so obvious that Rumi and the rest of Huntr/x are far from it, making the song feel very disingenuous as a result. And look, I can see how that could be the point of its placements, but going back to the Frozen comparison, at least Elsa performed “Let It Go” from a genuine headspace.
In the case of “What It Sounds Like,” that song arrives in the climax of the film. Rumi arrives before a demon-possessed crowd, her markings and other demon features fully exposed, with nothing left to lose. Much like how she was the last time we saw her perform “Golden,” she’s alone. Unlike when she last performed “Golden,” she’s not alone for long, as Mira and Zoey are soon by her side, as they face the demons together one more time.
It’s a song not about bravery, but about vulnerability. I can easily see how the struggle that Rumi goes through in owning up to and embracing her demon identity when she’s hidden it for so long can just as well be an allegory for people who are mixed-race, LGBTQ, neurodivergent, etc. The emotional resonance of this moment, when “What It Sounds Like” appears in the film, makes it a much more genuine song to embrace for those who’ve hidden — for whatever reason — for so long, compared to “Golden.”
Now, some may argue that being in favor of “Golden” over “What It Sounds Like” is based on details like how the former is lyrically less wordy and that it features high notes for one to strive to hit. Those are common markers for an earworm. But I think it’s because “What It Sounds Like” literally and lyrically has more to express (and beautifully so), and that it’s all done in a lower vocal range, that’s what makes it so emotionally resonating. So, while “Golden” may hype one up, “What It Sounds Like” will build one up.
As KPop Demon Hunters continues to make waves nearly five months following its release, I hope that more attention will be given to recognizing “What It Sounds Like” as the heart of the film. While the Grammys might not see it, perhaps time will.
