The animated musical film is now streaming on Netflix. Since its release on June 20, 2025, the urban fantasy movie has become the most-watched original title in the streamer’s history. Danya Jimenez, Hannah McMechan, Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans wrote, and Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans directed, the drama. The ensemble project features the voices of Arden Cho, Ahn Hyo-seop, May Hong, Ji-young Yoo, Yunjin Kim, Daniel Dae Kim, Ken Jeong and Lee Byung-hun.

In KPop Demon Hunters, when they aren’t selling out stadiums as girl group Huntrix, Kpop superstars Rumi, Mira and Zoey (Cho, Hong and Yoo) use their secret identities as demon hunters to protect their fans from an ever-present supernatural threat. Together, they must face their biggest enemy yet – Saja Boys, an irresistible rival boy band of demons in disguise.

Neckwav discussed KPop Demon Hunters during a roundtable at this year’s New York Comic Con. During the interview, he spoke about his unexpected journey as the singing voice of Abby in the film, from initially not knowing which character he was voicing to seeing the project‘s success transform his career and open new opportunities as a songwriter and solo artist.

Director : Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans

Producer : Michelle Wong

Screenwriter : Danya Jimenez, Hannah McMechan, Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans

Distributor : Netflix

Production Co : Sony Pictures Animation

Genre : Animated, Musical and Urban Fantasy

Original Language : English

Release Date (Netflix) : June 20, 2025

Runtime : 1h 33m

Interview with Singer Neckwav

Q: You reportedly didn’t know which character you were voicing until you saw the final version of the movie. Can you elaborate on that experience?

Neckwav: That’s right, I did not know who I was voicing during the production. When I was recording Soda Pop and Your Idol, the musical director for the movie was kind enough to explain the plot. He said, “You’re the guy with the pink hair.”

But there are two pink-haired Saja Boys, Romance and Abby. So or the longest time, when I was recording the song, I thought I was Romance. I was wondering, “Why am I not synching with audio and visuals? Oh, nevermind, I’m the guy with the abs.”

When the movie first came out I was trying to see who I was. I then realized, oh, I’m the dude with the abs, making people’s eyes turn into popcorn. It was amazing.

Q: How has the movie changed your singing career?

Neckwav: I started off as a singer, trying to make my way into becoming an artist. But that didn’t work out when I first started off. So I switched my career into being a songwriter for KPop. All of these boy bands and girl groups were selling out stadiums and selling records. That helps songwriters survive. The movie opened up so many doors as a songwriter.

People often as me, “You’re the voice of Abby?” They recognize the voice. Maybe another songwriter was writing a song and thought that my voice might be a good fit. That opened up a lot of doors, especially for my own music. Fans are digging through the music I released years ago. Now, I am releasing more of my music. They want to hear more of Abby, so I am trying to get them into my music as well. I plan to release more singles in the future.

Q: Has the success of KPop Demon Hunters changed you as an artist or influenced the music you are making now?

Neckwav: Absolutely! As a songwriter, you can’t complain about the genre you are making. You get leads from companies. The genres we make have to be tailored to their tastes. What we make is what they want.

I realized that, since I’ve been both singing and rapping, the fans loved the deeper voice of Abby, so maybe that appeals more than my singing voice of Abby. I’ve been trying to aim for the Your Idol moment from the beginning of the song, as well as my verse in Soda Pop. So I’m trying to see what they like, not necessarily what I like.

Q: What is the difference between doing voice over work versus singing work? Did you have to adjust anything versus your regular procedure?

Neckwav: Absolutely. Normally, I would not be in a room with many people when recording. Usually, a producer who wrote the beat, and a couple of songwriters. There’s usually a maximum of four or five people in the room. I don’t feel pressure that way.

But when I recorded for KPop Demon Hunters, (producer and recording engineer) Ian (Eisendrath) and the team were all in New York. There were maybe ten to 15 people listening to me sing. That was nerve-wracking in the moment. At the same time, I usually sing songs I wrote, so I know where to go. I can just take the key and drive.

Singing, rapping and recording under Ian’s direction was amazing. I could see his vision, including where he wanted us to go. Getting direction from someone who has been in the industry and does amazing work for movies, was amazing. This was my first movie ever. It was my first voice-acting and singing role. It was a whole new experience that changed everything that I am doing right now. It’s been really fun.

Q: Do you think the success of the Saja Boys says something about where pop culture is heading next?

Neckwav: Absolutely. I’ve been receiving leads from different big companies, like SM Entertainment, JYP Entertainment and HYBE. They’rre sending out leads where the reference songs, the guidance, includes our songs. People want more of Your Idol and Soda Pop. That’s been a change.

People are trying to imitate the sounds and the looks of the Saja Boys. It’s been amazing to see.

Q: What is your origin story? How did you get from there to being a Saja Boy?

Neckwav: I started to take my musical career seriously in 2017 and 2018. I went back to Korea, after I had been there for college. After colI went back to Korea around that time, right before COVID. I was working very closely with a Korean singer named Johan Kim, shout out to him. He was very good friends with one of the producers for KPop Demon Hunters. She urgently called him and asked, “Do you know anyone who sings and raps in Korean and English? I need him now.”

I heard that there were so many last minute changes. However, I didn’t hear the details. I was just told to record Soda Pop and Your Idol to audition for this. They wanted to hear my voice, as Ian really liked my voice. He had me come in and record. I recorded for six or seven hours. Then I forgot about it, because it was a year before the movie came out. I was singing to stick figures. This was before the animation.

When the movie came out, my Instagram started blowing up. Next thing you know, I’m here at New York Comic Con. I was approved to San Diego Comic-Con. It’s been incredible.

Q: Has this experience with voice acting changed you? Do you want to pursue more of it?

Neckwav: Absolutely. I think the reason that KPop Demon Hunters was such a huge success was the songs. They were that good, starting with Golden and Soda Pop. I think the movie and the songs worked together. I would love to be part of a movie with musical elements involved.

To be completely honest, I’m a terrible actor. I’ve never tried voice acting, but in my opinion I don’t think I would be good at it. But, I would love to give it a try.

Andrew (Choi) and I were talking about it, and we said, “Maybe we should audition for movies with more musical elements.” We could sing and voice act at the same time. I believe Baby Saja (Danny Chung) has the same singing and acting voice. He had “googoo” and “gaga” lines. If it is that easy, maybe I can give it a try for a role in the future.

Q: Did you know Andrew before the movie?

Neckwav: Yes. I’ve been a fan of Andrew’s since I was in college. He was in a show called KPop Star, which is like an American Idol for Korea. He was top three. I’ve practiced my singing listening to him. He’ been my top go to singer that I’ve ever listened to. He’s had so many great KPop cuts before the movie, and I think he’ll continue to do well.

Q: If you had to explain the Saja Boys phenomenon, what would you say?

Neckwav: I would have to say it is an interesting KPop boy band that tries to take your soul by looking and sounding so good. They finally reveal their identities as demons with a darker song. They just have two songs. One bubbly, bright song that makes you think of them as a regular boy band. Then later, they reveal themselves as demons trying to take your soul. I would say they are a boy band with two faces.

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