What It Sounds Like

“What It Sounds Like” is a powerful anthem of self-acceptance, resilience, and the beauty found in imperfection. The song, featured as the climatic finale in the film K-Pop: Demon Hunters, represents a pivotal moment of catharsis and reconciliation for the fictional group HUNTR/X. Its central message is about embracing one's flaws, scars, and past mistakes—the 'broken pieces'—and recognizing them not as weaknesses but as essential components of one's identity that create a unique and beautiful whole. The lyric “now I'm seeing all the beauty in the broken glass” serves as the core metaphor, transforming a symbol of destruction into one of intricate beauty. The song is a declaration of authenticity, a commitment to shedding the pretense and 'lies' that one might use to hide their true self. It champions the idea of finding harmony not by erasing personal darkness, but by integrating it into one's being. Ultimately, it is a song about moving from shame and division to solidarity and empowerment, suggesting that true strength and connection are only possible when people are real and authentic with themselves and each other.

The narrative opens with a raw confession, a declaration of unvarnished truth. The speaker acknowledges the darkest parts of their origin, the shameful patterns and confusing aspects of their identity they have tried to suppress. There's a history of attempting to 'fix' or fight these inherent traits, leading to a state of internal conflict, described as a 'twisted head' and a 'divided heart.' This internal struggle resulted in a web of lies that ultimately collapsed, leaving the speaker questioning why they couldn't trust others to stand by them. The chorus erupts as a moment of cathartic realization. The feeling of being shattered into 'a million pieces' is not an end but a transformation. Instead of despair, there is a newfound appreciation for the 'beauty in the broken glass.' Scars are reframed not as blemishes but as integral parts of a complex identity, where 'darkness and harmony' coexist. This authentic self-expression, a 'voice without the lies,' is the central theme. The lyrics question the act of hiding one's true 'colors' and advocate for letting the 'jagged edges meet the light.' It's an invitation to others to show their true selves, with a promise of finding harmony in that vulnerability. This collective, unwritten song is what authenticity sounds like.

The second verse shifts from individual introspection to a collective call to action. It speaks of 'shattering the silence' and 'rising defiant,' a message of solidarity for those who feel alone. There's an admission of past mistakes, of listening to inner 'demons' that created division. However, the core message is one of unity and mutual support. The lyrics directly confront past failings, labeling themselves as 'cowards' and 'liars,' but immediately reclaim their narrative by stating they are 'still survivors.' They identify with the dreamers and the fighters, acknowledging their exhaustion but pledging unwavering loyalty to those who dare to 'dive in the fire.' This reinforces the theme of finding strength through shared experience and mutual support. The song culminates in a powerful, repeated affirmation. The act of breaking is no longer a personal failure but a collective experience. The 'we' now sees the beauty in the fragments. The final refrains emphasize that this unified, fearless, and undefined expression is the true sound of their identity, a powerful crescendo of voices that have found strength in their shared vulnerability and truth.

“What It Sounds Like” was created as the emotional centerpiece and finale track for the 2025 Netflix animated musical film, K-Pop: Demon Hunters. The song was credited to the fictional K-pop group HUNTR/X, with vocals performed by real-life artists EJAE (as Rumi), Audrey Nuna (as Mira), and Rei Ami (as Zoey). The development of the song was a notably intensive process, involving songwriters Stephen Kirk, Jenna Andrews, and Mark Sonnenblick, among others. Kirk mentioned that he counted approximately 147 different revisions of the track before arriving at the final version. Early drafts were heavily inspired by Lorde's 2017 song “Green Light,” aiming for a similar vulnerable-yet-anthemic feel, but the studio felt it was too derivative, prompting a change in direction. To find the right tone, the creative team used various existing K-pop hits as reference points to create a shared musical language across a global team. According to executive music producer Ian Eisendrath, the song was designed to be an “inspirational pop song” that captures the main character Rumi's awakening, as she realizes that her mission to eradicate demons is flawed and instead chooses to embrace unity and individuality.

“What It Sounds Like” utilizes a relatively straightforward rhyme scheme in its verses and chorus, often employing couplets (AABB) and near rhymes to maintain a cohesive and memorable structure. For example, in the chorus, 'back' is paired with 'glass,' and 'harmony' rhymes with the visual imagery of 'part of me.' This accessible structure makes the powerful message easy to follow and sing along to, befitting an anthem. The rhythm of the song is a key element in its emotional progression. The verses are delivered with a more deliberate, speech-like cadence that emphasizes their confessional nature. This contrasts sharply with the chorus, which adopts a driving, anthemic rhythm with a steady four-on-the-floor beat, encouraging a physical and emotional response. The tempo builds throughout the song, creating a sense of rising energy and triumphant release that climaxes in the final choruses. The interplay between the lyrical rhythm and the underlying electronic beat creates a powerful sense of urgency and empowerment, driving home the song's core message of defiant self-expression.

Musically, “What It Sounds Like” is crafted as a dynamic pop anthem that builds progressively to create a cathartic release. The arrangement starts with a more subdued, confessional tone in the verses, allowing the vulnerability of the lyrics to take center stage. It then escalates dramatically into a powerful, stadium-scale chorus with a full, choral sound, mirroring the lyrical journey from shame to collective empowerment. This widening of the musical arrangement directly reflects the shift from an individual's struggle ('I') to a message of solidarity ('we'). The vocal production plays a key role; the delivery is described as authentic and rich, avoiding a 'squeaky-clean K-pop sound' to emphasize the song's message of raw honesty. The track blends elements of modern K-pop, such as a “girl crush” concept, with the empowering narrative structure of a classic Disney “I want” song, creating a sound that is both contemporary and emotionally resonant. Lyrically, the song employs direct address and rhetorical questions (“Why did I cover up the colors?”) to engage the listener and encourage introspection.

“What It Sounds Like” gained significant cultural traction as a key song from the soundtrack of the highly successful 2025 Netflix animated film, K-Pop: Demon Hunters. While other songs from the soundtrack like “Golden” achieved massive chart success, including topping the Hot 100, “What It Sounds Like” is often cited as the film's emotional and narrative climax. Its role in the movie—as the powerful reunion anthem where the group HUNTR/X embraces their true selves—has made it a fan favorite and a crucial piece of the film's legacy. The song and the film's soundtrack have been praised for successfully translating K-pop's musical and aesthetic energy for a global audience, blending it with empowering lyrical themes. The song has also been the subject of numerous remixes and covers by fans, indicating its strong resonance. Within the context of the film's fictional universe, the song is portrayed as a powerful force capable of uniting people and drawing 'lost souls back from the demonic realm,' cementing the movie's theme that music and authentic connection are forces of salvation.

The lyrics of “What It Sounds Like” are rich with symbolism and metaphors that reinforce its themes of acceptance and authenticity.

• The Broken Glass: The central metaphor of the song is “seeing all the beauty in the broken glass.” This powerful image transforms the idea of being shattered and broken from a negative state into one of positive revelation. It symbolizes the discovery of beauty, strength, and complexity within one's own flaws, scars, and past traumas.
• Voice Without the Lies: This recurring phrase represents the act of speaking and living authentically. The 'voice' is a symbol for one's true self, and shedding the 'lies' signifies dropping the masks and pretenses worn for societal acceptance. It is a declaration of raw, unfiltered identity.
• Covering Up the Colors: The question “Why did I cover up the colors stuck inside my head?” uses 'colors' to symbolize one's inner vibrancy, uniqueness, and true feelings. Hiding them suggests conformity and the suppression of individuality, while letting them show is an act of liberation.
• Jagged Edges: The line “let the jagged edges meet the light” is a metaphor for exposing one's imperfections and rougher parts to the world without shame. Instead of smoothing them down, the song advocates for celebrating them as part of one's authentic self.

The song is built around several key recurring phrases and motifs that anchor its meaning and structure.

• “This is what it sounds like”: This is the central hook and the song's title phrase. It acts as a powerful declaration of authenticity. Each time it's repeated, it reinforces the idea that the music itself is the sound of truth, vulnerability, and genuine identity, a 'voice without the lies.'
• “I/We broke into a million pieces”: This phrase is a recurring lyrical motif that encapsulates the song's core theme. It appears first in the singular ('I') and later in the plural ('We'), signifying a journey from personal brokenness to a shared experience of finding strength in vulnerability. Its repetition emphasizes that this shattering is not an end but a transformative beginning.
• “Seeing all the beauty in the broken glass”: Directly following the 'million pieces' line, this motif provides the song's central message of hope and reframing. It is repeated consistently to underscore the theme of finding value and beauty in imperfection.
• “My voice without the lies”: This lyrical hook is tied directly to the title phrase and serves as its explicit meaning. It functions as a personal and collective mantra for the characters in the story and for the listener.