Spotify monthly listeners soared from 10,000 to 21 million. The track landed at No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached No. 26 on the UK Official Chart (as of July 26).

"At first, it felt like a dream. And now, that dream has come true."

Kevin Woo takes center stage in K-pop Demon Hunters (directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans), voicing "Mystery," the lead vocalist of the Saja Boys—and channeling his idol roots.

A former member of the K-pop group U-KISS, Kevin returned to the world of K-pop through KDH. Drawing on his past as an idol, he brought "Your Idol" to life with vivid authenticity.

Dispatch recently spoke with Kevin via written interview, discussing his passion for K-pop Demon Hunters and what lies ahead.

◆ "Mystery? That's Me."

K-pop Demon Hunters is an animated film that vividly captures the real-world dynamics of K-pop groups. "Watching Huntrix and the Saja Boys brought back so many memories," Kevin said.

He voices "Mystery," the lead vocalist of the Saja Boys—a quiet yet charismatic figure. With his gentle, melodic voice, Kevin brought depth and dimension to the character.

"I recorded while watching actual animation scenes. Breathing life into a character using just my voice was such a thrilling experience."

The sessions took place in both New York and Los Angeles, with vocal director EJAE (also the voice of Huntrix's "Lumi") and music producer Ian Eisendrath guiding the process.

"We tried out different tones and nuances to find the perfect sound for the character," Kevin recalled. "EJAE and Ian brought out the best in me while really listening to my input."

On stage, he could rely on facial expressions and movement to convey emotion—but voice acting was a different challenge. "I had to express everything through my voice," he said. "Every inflection, tone, and pace mattered."

"The audience can't see the character's real face. So I wanted my voice to leave a lasting impression. I focused on making Mystery's personality and emotions come through clearly and powerfully."

◆ "U-KISS Was My Foundation"

Hard work paid off. On July 5, the K-Pop Demon Hunters OST "Your Idol" topped the U.S. Spotify daily streaming chart. The Wall Street Journal noted, "It's a record even BTS and BLACKPINK have yet to achieve."

In fact, Kevin stood on the K-pop stage long before the genre became a global powerhouse. He debuted in 2008 as a member of U-KISS, delivering hits like "Man Man Ha Ni" (2009) and "Bingeul Bingeul" (2010).

So, songs like "Soda Pop" and "Your Idol" didn't feel foreign. "My time with U-KISS helped me portray the character," he said. "I naturally infused the songs with the unique style of K-pop."

"'Soda Pop' is bright and refreshing—like U-KISS's debut track 'Not Young.' I used a lighter, more playful tone. On the other hand, 'Your Idol' is darker and more intense, reminiscent of 'Man Man Ha Ni.' I emphasized strong vocals and a deeper tone to capture the emotional weight."

Although the group has disbanded, the bond with his members remains strong. "They told me, 'No one else could've played this role but you.' They were genuinely happy for me even before the release," he shared.

"U-KISS was one of the early groups to target overseas markets with multinational members. Back then, K-pop wasn't as influential as it is today. If we helped pave the way for the next generation, I'm proud of that."

He added, "K-pop is now dominating global charts, headlining festivals, and even taking over animation. I'm confident this wave will only grow stronger."

◆ Back on Stage Again

Even after parting ways with U-KISS, Kevin never left the stage. He continued his global career across music, film, musicals, and concerts.

In 2022, he starred in the Broadway musical KPOP, the first Broadway production to spotlight Korean pop culture. The show earned a Tony Award nomination, marking a milestone for Asian representation in theater.

Now, he's hitting another turning point. Riding the success of K-Pop Demon Hunters, Kevin is gearing up for more. "I'm about to release a new solo track," he shared. "I'm also working on a special unit project with my U-KISS members."

Acting is still part of his journey. He will appear in K-POPS!, a new project directed by American singer-songwriter Anderson .Paak. He's also starring in the upcoming horror film Death Name as the male lead.

"What kind of opportunities might come next? Whether it's voice acting, acting, or music—I want to keep performing, in whatever form that takes."

[Photo Credit: Dispatch DB, Kevin Woo SNS, Netflix]