Fans of the runaway animated hit KPop Demon Hunters got the surprise of a lifetime during the Saturday Night Live Season 51 premiere, hosted by Bad Bunny. The real-life vocalists behind the fictional K-pop group, HUNTR/X, dropped by the iconic Studio 8H stage for an unexpected appearance that brought the smash-hit movie’s music to the live-action world.
The surprise came in a sketch where host Bad Bunny plays Thomas, a character completely obsessed with the Netflix film and its “true story” premise—much to the annoyance of his friends. As Thomas tries to convince his pals about the reality of demon-hunting K-pop idols, things take a very weird turn when the demon Jinu, leader of the Saja Boys, bursts onto the scene, played hilariously by SNL’s Bowen Yang.
Naturally, the friends panic and beg Thomas for help. The host’s character is quick to respond, shouting, “I cannot help you idiots! But they can!” And just like that, the vocal powerhouses of HUNTR/X—EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami—appeared on stage in full pop-star mode.
The audience absolutely erupted as the trio launched into a short but spectacular live rendition of their chart-topping single, “Golden.” It was an electric moment, complete with backup dancers, effectively fighting off the musical demon with the power of their pop anthem. The singers, who provide the voices for the animated characters Rumi, Mira, and Zoey, had previously only been heard, making this their very first live, televised performance.
The cameo not only poked fun at the animated film’s massive summer success, but it also ramped up the excitement for the group’s next big TV appearance. Following their successful demon-vanquishing on SNL, EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami are scheduled for an official full-length debut on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon next week, where they are expected to perform the full version of “Golden.”
The fact that Saturday Night Live managed to pull off such an unannounced moment is a testament to the cultural phenomenon the film has become. In a world full of movie adaptations, the KPop Demon Hunters sketch proved that the boundary between animated film and live-action television is increasingly blurred—especially when an on-stage rescue is needed.
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