‘KPop Demon Hunters’ sparks warning amid dangerous vocal challenges
"K-pop Demon Hunters" character Rumi struggles to hit an high note during a performance. Courtesy of Netflix
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Netflix’s animated film “KPop Demon Hunters” is dominating global charts, amassing 236 million cumulative views as of Aug. 27, according to the streaming platform. It now ranks No. 1 among Netflix films and No. 3 overall, sparking speculation that it could surpass the record held by “Squid Game” at 265.2 million views.
Alongside the film’s success, its theme song “Golden” has sparked a viral wave of covers from top K-pop vocalists, including IVE’s Ahn Yu-jin, Apink’s Jung Eun-ji, NMIXX’s Lily and MAMAMOO’s Solar, as well as renowned soloists like Kwon Jin-ah, Davichi’s Lee Hae-ri, Bada, Park Ki-young and Ailee.
The ‘Golden’ challenge and vocal strain risks
“Golden” is known for its high-pitched notes, peaking at an A5 in the third octave — a level considered challenging even for trained singers. In the movie, the protagonist Rumi struggles to reach the note during rehearsal but chooses to continue performing anyway, ultimately leading to a disastrous on-stage moment.
But would real-life idols take the same risk? According to Dr. Kim Young-ho, director of Beautiful Voice ENT Clinic, which treats top Korean vocalists including Lee Moon-se, IU, Park Hyo-shin and Ock Joo-hyun, the answer is no.
“If this were a real singer, they wouldn’t have forced their way through,” Kim said. “The best approach is to immediately visit a clinic for an accurate diagnosis and treatment if vocal fatigue or discomfort occurs before a performance.”
How K-pop idols protect their voices
When an urgent hospital visit isn’t possible, temporary measures such as using a humidifier or a nebulizer to moisten the vocal cords can help, but they’re no substitute for medical treatment. Anti-inflammatory painkillers like acetaminophen may be considered but aren’t guaranteed to be effective without proper evaluation.
Kim explained that vocal damage can progress to vocal nodules, which cause swelling, hoarseness and a sudden deterioration of vocal quality. Even after surgery, nodules often recur for singers and actors because complete vocal rest is nearly impossible in their profession.
“The key is prevention,” Kim said. “I always emphasize ‘moisture above all else.’ Proper hydration, a balanced diet and sufficient rest are the fundamentals of vocal care.”
What fans and aspiring singers should know
Even non-professional speakers can develop vocal strain from poor habits, Kim warned. “Speaking for too long, too loudly, too high or too low can all damage the vocal cords,” he said, adding that lifestyle adjustments are crucial for long-term vocal health.
With “KPop Demon Hunters” continuing its global rise and the viral “Golden” challenge pushing vocalists to their limits, experts advise both professionals and fans to prioritize vocal care over performance perfection.
This article from Kormedi.com, Korea’s top healthcare and medical portal, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.