‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Singer Audrey Nuna on Golden, Oscars Buzz
Audrey Nuna is currently battling jet lag after a whirlwind international tour that took her from Korea to Japan to Australia. The 26-year-old singer-rapper is still adjusting to different time zones, with a memorable 3 a.m. gym session leaving her wide awake until 8:00 in the morning. However, the exhaustion is worth it as Nuna is currently riding the wave of success with her breakout contribution to the “KPop Demon Hunters” soundtrack, the viral hit song “Golden.”
Nuna provides the singing voice for Mira, one of the members of the fictional K-pop group Huntr/X, alongside vocalists Ejae and Rei Ami. Together, they performed “Golden,” which skyrocketed to No. 1 on Spotify’s Daily Top Songs Global chart and propelled the soundtrack album to the top spot on the Billboard 200. This achievement marked the biggest streaming week for a soundtrack in over three years.
Reflecting on the success of the project, Nuna recalls telling her mother in Korean that she had a feeling the movie and the songs would do well. Little did she know that the project would receive such global recognition. The song is even being submitted for Academy Award consideration by Netflix, a prospect that has left Nuna both amazed and philosophical.
The potential Oscar nomination feels surreal for Nuna, especially considering she was named after the legendary Audrey Hepburn, known for her multifaceted talents. Nuna believes in pushing artistic boundaries and blurring the lines between genres. She draws inspiration from a diverse range of influences, from Britney Spears to Childish Gambino, shaping her refusal to be categorized into a single genre.
Nuna’s recent album “Trench” is divided into two halves, “Soft Skin” and “Hard Feelings,” reflecting the polarities she is drawn to in her music. This concept showcases the coexistence of contrasting elements in her music, both sonically and thematically.
Having recently embarked on her first international tour outside the U.S., Nuna discovered the transcendent power of music that connects people across different cultures. She believes in the transformative ability of music to change the way people think and carry themselves in their daily lives.
As Nuna navigates the newfound global recognition and success of “Golden” and “KPop Demon Hunters,” she emphasizes the importance of vulnerability as strength, citing Brené Brown’s teachings on self-acceptance. With accolades pouring in and Oscar season approaching, it is evident that this genre-defying artist is just at the beginning of her journey.
Feeling overwhelmed with gratitude and humility, Nuna is honored to be part of a project that elevates Korean culture to a new level of platform. As she continues to make waves in the music industry, one thing is certain – Audrey Nuna is a force to be reckoned with.
