How Audrey Nuna Became a Global Kpop Star
Audrey Nuna is living through a whirlwind year. The 26-year-old Korean-American singer and rapper has finished a tour that took him to Korea, Japan, and Australia. Between the jet lag and 3 a.m. gym sessions, she’s adjusting to life on the move. But the hectic schedule feels worth it, as Nuna rides the massive success of “Golden”, her breakout track from Netflix’s “KPop Demon Hunters.”
The track didn’t just land her on the charts—it launched her into international fame. What started as a movie soundtrack cut has grown into a cultural touchpoint, racking up millions of streams and even stirring Oscar chatter that Nuna herself says feels almost unreal.
The Voice Behind Mira
In KPop Demon Hunters, Nuna lends her vocals to Mira, one of three fictional idols in the animated group Huntr/X. She performs alongside vocalists Ejae (as Rumi) and Rei Ami (as Zoey). Their anthem “Golden” didn’t just top Spotify’s Daily Global chart — it also helped the soundtrack reach No. 1 on the Billboard 200, marking the biggest streaming week for a soundtrack in years.
Looking back on recording sessions, Nuna remembered telling her mom, in Korean, that the project felt destined for success. What she didn’t expect was just how far the song would travel. “I sensed it would do well, but I couldn’t have predicted how completely it would cross beyond its niche and resonate around the world,” she explained.
Instagram | @starlifestylemy | Nuna gives life to Mira’s voice in ‘KPop Demon Hunters,’ and the song Golden quickly crossed borders, reaching global fans everywhere.
From Grammy Dreams to Oscar Buzz
Netflix has submitted “Golden” for Academy Award consideration, making Nuna reflect on the possibility of an Oscar nomination. She admitted that the thought feels both humbling and astonishing.
“It’s wild to think this project might get an Oscar nod before I’ve ever even been in Grammy talks,” Nuna said. With a laugh, she added that maybe it’s time to chase the full EGOT dream.
Her personal story adds another layer of meaning. Named after Audrey Hepburn, Nuna sees a connection with her namesake’s multifaceted artistry. Hepburn thrived in acting, theater, and music, and Nuna believes her own journey reflects that same versatility.
Breaking Genre Walls
Nuna’s solo catalog has always slipped between pop, R&B, and alternative without settling into any single lane. The runaway success of Golden has only reinforced her view that labels matter less than the music itself. “I’ve always felt genre doesn’t matter anymore. Music is about freedom, not fitting into one box,” she said.
That philosophy shows up clearly in her influences.Growing up in a New Jersey suburb with few Asian Americans, she found inspiration in everyone from Britney Spears and Wonder Girls to Radiohead, Childish Gambino, and Björk. Those eclectic sounds still shape her creativity today.
Why “KPop Demon Hunters” Felt Personal
When the film role came her way, Nuna said the concept immediately clicked. The story focuses on embracing every part of who you are — a theme she’s always lived by. “It was about not cutting off pieces of yourself. That’s why I joined this project right away,” she noted.
That same mindset shaped her latest album, Trench. The project is split into two parts—Soft Skin and Hard Feelings—where gentle melodies meet pounding percussion, and lighthearted lines brush against heavier themes. For Nuna, those contrasts aren’t clashes but a reminder that duality belongs in music.
Touring Across Cultures
This year brought her first international tour, an experience she says will stay with her. She found enormous intensity at Korea’s Pentaport Festival, whereas Tokyo audiences were quieter but equally engaged.
“What stood out was the consistency of connection. No matter how fans expressed it, the bond with the music was the same,” she reflected. The realization reinforced her faith in music as a universal bridge.
Music That Transforms
Instagram | @audreynuna | Nuna’s story underscores how music can shift lives, and her willingness to be vulnerable shows the strength in true self-acceptance.
For her, the recent tour drove the point home—music really can change people. She saw it in the way audiences across continents reacted, proving to her that songs can shape outlooks and even daily habits. Nuna credits that journey with renewing her faith in the transformative force of music.
Part of that growth has been learning to embrace vulnerability. Citing Brené Brown’s Atlas of the Heart, she noted that real belonging only comes through radical self-acceptance.
Now, as Golden and KPop Demon Hunters continue to fuel charts and conversations, Nuna admits she’s still catching up with it all. The Oscar buzz, the sold-out shows, the global attention—it’s overwhelming, but gratitude keeps her grounded.
“I feel incredibly humbled to be part of something that highlights Korean culture on a global stage,” she said.
With her fearless blend of sounds and boundary-breaking approach, Audrey Nuna is carving her place in music history. And with the momentum of “Golden” still climbing, this is only the beginning of her story.