What It Sounds Like

"What It Sounds Like"
Promotional single by Huntrix
from the album KPop Demon Hunters
ReleasedAugust 28, 2025 (2025-08-28)
GenrePop
Length4:10
Label
Songwriters
Producers
  • Stephen Kirk
  • Jenna Andrews
  • Ian Eisendrath

"What It Sounds Like" is a song performed by Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami as the fictional K-pop girl group Huntrix in the 2025 animated musical urban fantasy film KPop Demon Hunters. It was released on June 20, 2025, alongside the rest of the soundtrack album, and was released as a promotional single on August 28, 2025.

Composition and release

The animated musical fantasy film KPop Demon Hunters was released on Netflix on June 20, 2025. The film follows the fictional K-pop girl group Huntrix, consisting of members Rumi, Mira, and Zoey, whose singing voices are performed by Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami, respectively.[1] The film's accompanying soundtrack album was released on the same day, with "What It Sounds Like" as the ninth track.

It is the final song of the film that serves to introduce the conclusion to the final battle against Gwi-Ma and the Saja Boys; while being an "inspirational pop song", it also dwells on Rumi's journey on battling her inner demons.[2] The team of composers was inspired by "Green Light" from Lorde, as both songs are about accepting hurt and learning to move on.[3] "Hide and Seek" from Imogen Heap was also an influence on the song due to its vocoder vocals and similar theme of finding true identity.[4] A previous iteration of the song, titled "Kaleidoscope", focused on "taking all the pieces of yourself and making it beautiful".[3] However, they felt "earlier versions of the song didn't ring true because the narrative was wrapped up too neatly" and what remains of "Kaleidoscope" are the lyrics on "broken pieces and finding yourself within those broken pieces" in "What It Sounds Like".[3]

Critical reception

What It Sounds Like received positive reviews from critics, with Billboard placing the song fifth in their rankings of the soundtrack and comparing to "Let It Go" and "How Far I'll Go".[5] Likewise, Rolling Stone described the song as "dreamy yet powerful one that heals and inspires you to accept and embrace who you are."[6]

Commercial performance

"What It Sounds Like" debuted at #55 on the Billboard Hot 100[7], spending 13 consecutive weeks on the chart, peaking at #15 on its 12th.[8]

"What It Sounds Like" debuted at #70 on the United Kingdom's Official Singles Chart.[9] It spent six consecutive weeks on the chart, peaking at #13 thrice.[10]

On October 8, the Recording Industry Association of America awarded "What It Sounds Like" a platinum certification.[11]

Cover versions

Various artists have covered "What It Sounds Like", including Kelly Clarkson.[12]

Track listing

  1. "What It Sounds Like" - 4:10
  2. "What It Sounds Like (Inst.)" - 4:10

Charts

Certifications

Certifications
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[50] 2× Platinum 140,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[51] 2× Platinum 160,000‡
France (SNEP)[52] Gold 100,000‡
Mexico (AMPROFON)[53] Gold 70,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[54] Platinum 30,000‡
Poland (ZPAV)[55] Gold 62,500‡
Portugal (AFP)[56] Gold 12,000‡
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[57] Gold 15,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[58] Platinum 600,000‡
United States (RIAA)[59] Platinum 1,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ Milligan, Mercedes (April 24, 2025). "Sony's 'KPop Demon Hunters' Cast, Music Roster & Netflix Premiere Date Revealed". Animation Magazine. Retrieved February 16, 2026.
  2. ^ Hatchett, Keisha (June 20, 2025). "KPop Demon Hunters: Inside the Animated Film's Electrifying Original Songs". Tudum (Press release). Netflix. Archived from the original on June 25, 2025. Retrieved June 20, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c Nguyen, Hanh (June 29, 2025). ""Keeping you obsessed": Netflix's demons vs. hunters movie captures the mystical allure of K-pop". Salon.com. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  4. ^ "'KPop Demon Hunters': Creators Share Secrets in Reddit AMA". Resonate. July 12, 2025. Retrieved July 13, 2025.
  5. ^ Unterberger, Lyndsey Havens,Jason Lipshutz,Andrew (July 11, 2025). "'KPop Demon Hunters' Soundtrack: All 12 Tracks Ranked". Billboard. Retrieved February 15, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. ^ Dutta, Debashree (July 9, 2025). "Hit Songs From 'KPop Demon Hunters' Soundtrack Ranked". Rolling Stone Australia. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
  7. ^ Cha, E. (July 8, 2025). ""KPop Demon Hunters" Debuts 5 New Songs On Billboard Hot 100 As "Golden" And "Your Idol" Rise". Soompi. Retrieved February 16, 2026.
  8. ^ Cha, E. (September 30, 2025). "HUNTR/X's "Golden" Tops Billboard Hot 100 For 7th Week As Saja Boys' "Soda Pop" Bubbles To New Peak Of No. 3". Soompi. Retrieved February 16, 2026.
  9. ^ "WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE". Official Charts. October 30, 2025. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
  10. ^ "WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE". Official Charts. October 30, 2025. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
  11. ^ Cha, E. (October 8, 2025). ""KPop Demon Hunters" Soundtrack + 5 Of Its Songs Certified RIAA Platinum In U.S." Soompi. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
  12. ^ Paul, Larisha (January 14, 2026). "Kelly Clarkson Finds Her Voice Performing 'What It Sounds Like' From 'KPop Demon Hunters'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 16, 2026.
  13. ^ "Huntr/X, Ejae, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami & KPop Demon Hunters Cast – What It Sounds Like". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  14. ^ "Huntr/X, Ejae, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami & KPop Demon Hunters Cast – What It Sounds Like" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  15. ^ "Huntr X Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  16. ^ "ČNS IFPI – CZ Singles Digital – Top 100 – 36. týden 2025" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  17. ^ "Huntr/X, Ejae, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami & KPop Demon Hunters Cast – What It Sounds Like". Tracklisten. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  18. ^ "Huntr/X, Ejae, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami & KPop Demon Hunters Cast – What It Sounds Like" (in French). Le classement de singles. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  19. ^ "Offizielle Deutsche Charts" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. To see the peak chart position, click 'TITEL VON', followed by the artist's name. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  20. ^ "Huntr X Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  21. ^ "Official IFPI Charts − Digital Singles Chart (International) − Εβδομάδα: 32−35/2025" (in Greek). IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on September 3, 2025. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  22. ^ "Huntr x Chart History (Hong Kong Songs)". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 3, 2025. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  23. ^ "Streymi, spilun og sala viku 37. Birt 13. september 2025 – Næst uppfært 20. september 2025" (in Icelandic). Félag hljómplötuframleiðenda. September 13, 2025. Archived from the original on September 13, 2025. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  24. ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart on 31/10/2025 – Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  25. ^ "The Official Southeast Asia Charts – This Week's Official Malaysia Chart Top 20 from 07/04/2025 to 07/10/2025". Official Southeast Asia Charts. International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved March 21, 2026. [Select 2025 Week 28]
  26. ^ "Huntr/X, Ejae, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami & KPop Demon Hunters Cast – What It Sounds Like" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  27. ^ "Huntr/X, Ejae, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami & KPop Demon Hunters Cast – What It Sounds Like". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  28. ^ "Singel 2025 uke 33". IFPI Norge. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  29. ^ "The Official Southeast Asia Charts – This Week's Official Philippines Chart Top 20 from 08/01/2025 to 08/07/2025". Official Southeast Asia Charts. International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved March 21, 2026. [Select 2025 Week 32]
  30. ^ "Philippines Hot 100 – Week of August 16, 2025". Billboard Philippines. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  31. ^ "OLiS – oficjalna lista sprzedaży – single w streamie" (Select week 01.08.2025–07.08.2025.) (in Polish). OLiS. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  32. ^ "Top 200 Singles Semana 38 de 2025" (PDF) (in European Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. p. 8. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  33. ^ "The Official Singapore Charts Week 38 (12 – 18 Sep 2025)". Recording Industry Association Singapore. Archived from the original on September 23, 2025. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  34. ^ "ČNS IFPI – SK Singles Digital – Top 100 – 35. týden 2025" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  35. ^ "Digital Chart: 2025 Weeks 31". Circle Chart. Archived from the original on August 8, 2025. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  36. ^ "Huntr/X, Ejae, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami & KPop Demon Hunters Cast – What It Sounds Like". Singles Top 100. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  37. ^ "Huntr/X, Ejae, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami & KPop Demon Hunters Cast – What It Sounds Like". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  38. ^ "Huntr x Chart History (Taiwan Songs)". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 26, 2025. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  39. ^ "Official Singles Chart on 24/10/2025 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  40. ^ "Huntr x Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  41. ^ "Digital Chart – August 2025". Circle Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 21, 2026. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  42. ^ "ARIA Top 100 Singles Chart for 2025". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on January 16, 2026. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  43. ^ "Canadian Hot 100 – Year-End 2025". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 28, 2025. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  44. ^ "Offizielle Deutsche Charts – Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts – 2025" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Archived from the original on January 2, 2026. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  45. ^ "Billboard Global 200 – Year-End 2025". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 10, 2025. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  46. ^ "End of Year Top 50 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. Archived from the original on March 21, 2026. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  47. ^ "Philippines Hot 100 — Year End 2025". Billboard Philippines. Archived from the original on December 19, 2025. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  48. ^ "Digital Chart – 2025". Circle Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 13, 2026. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  49. ^ "Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2025". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 10, 2025. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  50. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2026 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  51. ^ "Canadian single certifications – KPop Demon Hunters – What It Sounds Like". Music Canada. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  52. ^ "French single certifications – KPop Demon Hunters Cast – What It Sounds Like" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  53. ^ "Certificaciones" (in Spanish). Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Retrieved March 21, 2026. Type Huntr/x, Ejae, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami, KPop Demon Hunters Cast in the box under the ARTISTA column heading and What It Sounds Like in the box under the TÍTULO column heading.
  54. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – KPop Demon Hunters Cast – What It Sounds Like". Radioscope. Retrieved March 21, 2026. Type What It Sounds Like in the "Search:" field and press Enter.
  55. ^ "OLiS - oficjalna lista wyróżnień" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved March 21, 2026. Click "TYTUŁ" and enter What It Sounds Like in the search box.
  56. ^ "Portuguese single certifications – Huntr/x, Ejae, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami & KPop Demon Hunters Cast – What It Sounds Like" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  57. ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('What It Sounds Like')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  58. ^ "British single certifications – Huntr/x/Ejae/Audrey Nuna/Rei – What It Sounds Like". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved March 21, 2026. Select singles in the Formats field. Type What It Sounds Like Huntr/x/Ejae/Audrey Nuna/Rei in the "Search:" field.
  59. ^ "American single certifications – Huntr/x – What It Sounds Like". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.