"Andrew Choi was Jinu himself." (Production Team of K-Pop Demon Hunters)

At the heart of Netflix's K-Pop Demon Hunters lies Andrew Choi. He brought to life the voice of Jinu, the leader and main vocalist of Saja Boys.

Andrew is a veteran producer behind hit songs for SHINee, EXO, Red Velvet, NCT, and many other K-pop artists. He has also worked as a vocal trainer under SM Entertainment.

He first gained recognition as a singer on SBS-TV's K-Pop Star Season 2 (2012), where he finished in the Top 3 alongside Akdong Musician and Bang Yedam. Now, he has stepped beyond his familiar role in music production to take on a new challenge.

As the producers noted, he infused Jinu with a voice befitting a grim reaper. More than simply singing, he performed—completing the character through his voice. The experience marked a pivotal moment in his musical journey.

Dispatch recently conducted a written interview with Andrew Choi, where he opened up about how he joined K-Pop Demon Hunters and the passion he poured into the project.

◆ "Me, Jinu?"

Andrew's participation began with a recommendation from vocal director Lee Jae (voice of Lumi in Huntrix). Sony asked him to record a demo of "Soda Pop," and Andrew quickly sent over his version.

Some time later, Sony reached out again. This time, they offered him the role of one of the characters in Saja Boys. Without hesitation, Andrew exclaimed, "Okay!"

However, on the day of recording, he discovered that his role was none other than the main character, Jinu. That same day, he also encountered "Your Idol" and "Free" for the first time.

"The songs were incredibly difficult, and for a moment I was intimidated," Andrew admitted. "But in the K-pop industry, unexpected things always happen. You just adapt to the situation—it's part of the job."

The recording took place in Korea, directed by Ian Eisendrath, the project's music supervisor. "Ian explained in detail how to express the emotions woven into the songs," Andrew recalled. "By trusting his direction, everything started to flow naturally."

"To convey the right intent, I sometimes sang a single word dozens of times. It wasn't just about hitting the right note—it was about capturing the hidden emotions within it. That was an eye-opening experience."

He also shared a memorable moment from the sessions. "When Lee Jae sang just a few lines of 'Free,' the song instantly felt elevated," he said. "That also made me feel a greater pressure to rise to the occasion."

◆ A Line of Song, A Step of Growth

In 2012, Andrew appeared on K-pop Star Season 2, where he reached the Top 3. Afterwards, he chose the path of a songwriter, realizing that creating music behind the stage suited his personality better than standing in the spotlight.

His representative works include SHINee's Beautiful, EXO's Baby Don't Cry, and NCT DREAM's Chewing Gum. He also composed Red Velvet's Stupid Cupid and NCT WISH's Melt Inside My Pocket, among others.

K-pop Demon Hunters marked a new challenge for him. "The biggest difference between producing and dubbing was 'acting.' Singing also requires emotion, but in a film, the performance demands much deeper and more detailed expressions," he said.

Every line, every word had to be infused with feeling. It wasn't just about singing—it was about embodying the character itself. Andrew says he grew through this process.

"It was connected to my main profession (producing), yet at the same time, it was an entirely new realm. I enjoyed being able to contribute to a different field. It was a valuable experience that allowed me to build new relationships and open doors to new opportunities."

◆ "There's Still So Much More to Show"

After the release of K-Pop Demon Hunters, curiosity about Andrew soared. Fans flocked to his Instagram, leaving comments like "Please give us Saja Boys' second album" and "Make a comeback." His past K-Pop Star stage clips resurfaced online.

"I'm not usually active on social media, but I received an overwhelming amount of supportive messages," he said. "At first, it was international viewers reaching out, and within a few days, I could also feel the response from Korea."

"What touched me most was hearing stories about parents and children watching the film together and connecting through it. I'm just deeply grateful for all the warm messages."

He also reflected on why the film resonated with audiences. "The hope of salvation, sacrifice for love, and even superheroes who fight evil through song — it captured all the elements that move people's hearts," Andrew explained.

Recently, he released his own single, Under Your Skin, and contributed to the theme song Beyond the Blue for the simulation game inZOI.

Amidst his busy musical schedule, Andrew continues to dream of new possibilities. "If I'm given the chance to dub again in the future, I'd be grateful to take it on," he said with resolve.

[Photo Credit: Netflix, SBS, SNS]