On Friday night, during iHeartRadio 102.7 KIIS FM’s Jingle Ball 2025 at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, fans waved lightsticks as music from the global phenomenon animated film KPop Demon Hunters played on the screen. The crowd began singing and screaming in unison as the lyrics to “Take Down” played as a warm-up to the eventual “big event.”
People were on their feet, with several kids performing dance routines from their seats, as the next song from the film was introduced. K-pop artist Kevin Woo, who provided the voice for Mystery Saja, appeared, performing “Soda Pop” and “Your Idol” to the adoring crowd. Each time the chorus came along, many cheered, “You’re my Soda Pop! My little Soda Pop!”
Woo, who is part of UX1, a subunit of his former group U-KISS, says it was a surreal moment to be there performing at Jingle Ball, his first time attending and performing. He performed both on the pre-show and main stage.
“It feels like a dream come true, another core memory unlocked,” he says on the red carpet after his performance. “This will last for a lifetime, and to sing ‘Soda Pop’ and ‘Your Idol’ on the main stage was just so surreal as everyone was singing and dancing along. It was such a moment.”
EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami, who are the singing voices of HUNTR/X, appeared onstage for their performance of the Grammy-nominated song, “Golden.” The audience went wild as the lights dimmed, with pyrotechnics displayed as the trio sang the chorus.
This proved once again the global and cultural impact of KPop Demon Hunters in the mainstream media, reaching the masses. The film franchise is the first ever to be part of the yearly music festival, which has since expanded into a tour. The KPop Demon Hunters Sing-Along will be at nearly every stop, with Woo joining on a few stops.
For the girls – EJAE, Nuna, and Ami, this was their only performance planned for the concert. Audiences who attended this event were the first to witness this performance on the West Coast. The trio first performed the song on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and then at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. iHeartRadio’s Jingle Ball Los Angeles was the third time the girls had ever performed their set.
“I was personally very nervous, but this is by far the coolest thing I, personally, have ever done,” says Ami on the red carpet.
Nuna, who was rocking a stunning red gown that required her to shuffle to move, found it cool to be around adults and kids who jammed along as she performed. Many were wearing costumes and HUNTR/X and Saja Boys t-shirts.
“It was so cool to see people jumping around at the same time from the angle [we were in],” says Nuna. “It was crazy. We feel blessed to be here.”
As this was her third public performance, EJAE felt great. She smiles, “It feels more comfortable every time.”
The chemistry between the three can be felt on stage and on the carpet as they greet the photographers and the press. Their outfits were gorgeous, all in red, each reflecting their personality. It’s as if they were always a girl group, despite all meeting together nearly six months ago. Even as far as helping Nuna move around carefully on the carpet, the trio genuinely cares for each other.
“We have different venues and setups every time,” Ami says about each performance. “Every movement and direction is slightly different. These are such talented individuals, and they work so hard. It’s just been a breeze.”
iHeartRadio continues its Jingle Ball tour in Chicago, Detroit, New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, and Miami. The KPop Demon Hunters Sing-along Presentation will be present in Chicago, Detroit, New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and Miami.
