The Sam Sanders Show Can KPop Heal Us All? w/ Songwriter Mark Sonnenblick
Oct 10, 2025
Mark Sonnenblick, a talented songwriter with a background in musical theater, shares his insights on crafting the hit soundtrack for 'K-pop Demon Hunters.' He discusses the explosive global success of its anthem 'Golden,' highlighting the technical vocal challenges tied to storytelling. Mark delves into the process of blending Broadway influences with K-pop sounds and the emotional core of Rumi's character. He even peppers in his hot take on the brilliance of 'Cats.' It's a fascinating journey through the art of song and narrative!
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Unexpected Global Breakout
- The K-pop Demon Hunters soundtrack unexpectedly became a global phenomenon despite creators not predicting chart dominance.
- Mark Sonnenblick credits storytelling, fan word-of-mouth, and the songs' emotional resonance for the breakout success.
The Impossible Note In Golden
- Mark explains the bridge in "Golden" contains an A that stretches across more than two octaves and a fifth, making it extremely difficult to sing.
- EJ records the phrase an octave below then soars up again to sell the superhuman vocal moment in the film.
Song Built Around Story Stakes
- The song's extreme high note is integral to the film's narrative: Rumi's superpower must hit that note to seal the world from demons.
- The music's difficulty is story-driven, so the song exists to serve plot stakes as much as musical payoff.