Three Voice Actors from KPop Demon Hunters Make Stage Debut with Surprise Performance on SNL

The three voice actors behind Netflix and Sony Pictures Animation’s hit film “KPop Demon Hunters” surprised fans with a surprise performance at the premiere of Season 51 of “Saturday Night Live” (SNL). Ejae, Rei Ami, and Audrey Nuna, who provided voices for the film’s main group, the Huntrix, performed the film’s hit song “Golden” for the first time during a brunch-themed sketch at SNL’s Season 51 premiere. This performance marked the trio’s first live stage debut. Ejae voiced the film’s protagonist Rumi, while Rei Ami voiced Joy and Audrey Nuna voiced Mira. “KPop Demon Hunters,” released on June 20, is an action film featuring K-pop girl group Huntrix as they carry out demon-fighting missions while showcasing K-pop music. The film became Netflix’s most popular English-language movie in history, and its soundtrack dominated charts last summer. “Golden” reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, and the soundtrack accumulated over 3 billion streams worldwide. A special edition of the film ranked first at the North American box office on August 23–24, marking the first time a Netflix original film in its history achieved the top spot in its opening weekend. According to Luminate data, as of the end of September, the film had been streamed 2.1 billion times via on-demand services in the United States and watched for 5.4 billion minutes on Netflix. The three voice actors shared with the media the musical inspirations they drew from black music stars. Rei Ami said, “I discovered West Coast rap in high school and learned a lot about storytelling, lyrics, and rhythm.” Ejae emphasized Kendrick Lamar’s influence, stating, “I learned a great deal from his flow and cadence, his approach to writing lyrics, and his vocal production.” The group is set to perform “Golden” on The Tonight Show on October 7, revealing that it will be their first full-scale live performance together. Rei Ami said, “It’s an honor to stand on stage with them. It’s a moment I’ve been waiting for a long time.” Ejae announced that he would release his solo single “In Another World” on October 24 following his SNL performance. On Instagram, he expressed gratitude for the love he received as Rumi from “KPop Demon Hunters,” adding that while he was amazed and excited by the rapid exposure, he was also nervous. He further said, “Many people call me an artist or a star, which was my dream at 11 years old, but I’ve felt comfortable behind the scenes over the years. I hope this song can help others just as it helped me.”