Soda Pop Composer Credits Music's Synergy with K-Pop Demon Hunters for Success

The Success of “K-pop Demon Hunters” and the Role of Vince’s Music

The success of the Netflix animated film “K-pop Demon Hunters” can be attributed to a unique blend of storytelling and music. According to Vince, a singer-songwriter and producer known for his work on hits like BigBang’s “Still Life,” Taeyang’s “In My Heart,” Blackpink’s “Shut Down,” and Lisa’s “Money,” the film’s soundtrack played a significant role in its popularity. His compositions, “Soda Pop” and “Your Idol,” not only topped domestic charts but also reached high positions on the Billboard Hot 100.

Vince shared that the unexpected success of the soundtrack has been surprising. He mentioned that while he was happy with being number one on Melon, reaching the Billboard chart felt surreal. “I keep wondering, ‘Is this really happening?’” he said during an interview at a Seoul café.

Creating the Soundtrack for “Lion Boys”

The songs “Soda Pop” and “Your Idol” were written for the fictional boy group “Lion Boys” featured in the film. The production team provided Vince with a brief and some 2D sketches of the characters wearing traditional Korean hats. Initially, the tracks were composed with a bright tone, but the team requested something even more vibrant, leading to a revision of both the melody and lyrics.

“Soda Pop” is described as a bubbly and addictive track, while “Your Idol” has a darker and grander mood. Vince explained that for “Your Idol,” he aimed for a more serious and heavy atmosphere, incorporating a large orchestral session. He worked on it as if he were writing for a real-life artist, emphasizing the importance of the song’s grandeur.

A Gift-Like Work

Vince completed the songs one to two years before the film’s release and had mostly forgotten about them. However, when “K-pop Demon Hunters” dropped on Netflix, he was amazed by the overwhelming response. He described the project as “a gift-like work” in his music career.

One of the key areas he focused on was the lyrics. He aimed to make the songs singable for global fans while preserving the identity of K-pop. He included Korean lyrics and paid attention to pronunciation, ensuring that the sounds resembled English as much as possible. For example, the line “wonhae, wonhae, wonhae” in “Soda Pop” can easily be sung by foreigners as “want it, want it, want it.”

Performance and Choreography

Performance was another crucial aspect of the songs. Vince made sure the flow of the songs changed dramatically within a single track. He kept the hook easy to sing along to and added sections that would highlight choreography.

Vince majored in economics at New York University before switching to music business. While preparing for law school, he was recruited by The Black Label head Teddy in 2016 after Teddy noticed the music he was making as a hobby. Though primarily active as a composer, Vince has occasionally released songs as a singer, such as “Everyday” and “Emergency.”

New Single and Collaboration with G-Dragon

On August 18, Vince is dropping his new single “Cha Cha Cha,” featuring G-Dragon. The hip-hop R&B track combines a smooth melody with an upbeat Latin cha-cha rhythm. The release date coincides with G-Dragon’s birthday.

Vince’s collaboration with G-Dragon dates back to the production of BigBang’s “Still Life.” When he proposed featuring on “Cha Cha Cha,” G-Dragon asked, “Do you want to be a star?” and readily accepted. Vince praised G-Dragon’s talent, noting that he can create melodies, write lyrics, and even direct recording sessions himself.

The Black Label's Success

The Black Label, Vince’s agency, has recently dominated the Melon charts with “Golden” from the “K-pop Demon Hunters” soundtrack at No. 1, “Soda Pop” at No. 2, Blackpink’s “Run” at No. 3, and the agency’s co-ed group All Day Project’s “Famous” at No. 4. Vince credited The Black Label’s strength to its pursuit of perfection, emphasizing the attention to detail that sets the agency apart.

All Day Project and Mixed Group Dynamics

Regarding All Day Project, which has been making waves as a co-ed group, Vince highlighted the thrill of alternating male and female vocals. He noted that the members are so cool that it was obvious people would love them. He never once worried about them being a co-ed group.