“Golden” is a K-pop song by the fictional group Huntr/x, released in 2025 for the animated film KPop Demon Hunters. The song tells a story of self-discovery and finding strength as individuals and as a group. It’s mostly about Rumi, the lead singer of Huntr/x, and her struggle to hide her demon heritage and her desperate need to get rid of the part of herself she hates.
Below is a section-by-section interpretation of the lyrics in “Golden.”
- Song: Golden
- Artist: Huntr/x (Ejae, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami)
- Songwriters: Ejae, Mark Sonnenblick
- Released: 2025
- Album: KPop Demon Hunters
- Genre: K-pop
What is “Golden” About?
Note: Any lyrics in bold have been translated from Korean to English.
Verse 1: Struggling With Identity
I was a ghost, I was alone
It darkened, the road in front of me
Rumi describes her feelings of loneliness and isolation. She feels this way because only she and her caregiver know that she is half-demon.
The path ahead of her feels uncertain because of the secret she keeps.
Given the throne, I didn’t know how to believe
I was the queen that I’m meant to be
Here, she talks about her role as a demon hunter. She can’t fully embrace the title because she is half-demon herself.
This internal conflict makes it hard for her to believe she is worthy of the role she was born into.
I lived two lives, tried to play both sides
But I couldn’t find my own place
Zoey sings about her experience of being a person with mixed American and Korean heritage.
She tried to exist in both cultures but felt she never truly fit in, leading to a sense of not belonging anywhere.
Called a problem child, ’cause I got too wild
But now that’s how I’m getting paid, eternally on stage
Mira’s rebellious nature was once seen as a problem, but she has found a way to use that same daring spirit to become a successful and celebrated performer.
She now embraces the very qualities she was once criticized for.
Pre-Chorus 1: Choosing to Shine
I’m done hidin’, now I’m shinin’
Like I’m born to be
This is a moment of resolve where Rumi decides to embrace her power and shine, whether that means embracing all parts of herself or simply moving forward with confidence.
We dreamin’ hard, we came so far
Now I believe
All three of the Huntr/x members have worked hard and come a long way.
Their collective strength is what gives them the courage to face their internal and external battles.
Chorus: The Moment of Glory
We’re goin’ up, up, up
It’s our moment
The group is on the rise, and everything has led to this. They are moving up in their careers and in their mission.
You know together we’re glowing
Gonna be, gonna be golden
“Gonna be golden” refers to becoming the best versions of themselves and achieving their ultimate goal: creating a Golden Honmoon, a powerful barrier to permanently seal away the demons.
For Rumi, this also means the chance to erase her demonic marks.
Oh, up, up, up
With our voices
Their voices are the source of their power.
On another level, this is about how self-expression, especially through art, can be a form of survival.
Unbreakable forever
Gonna be, gonna be golden
They have a shared purpose.
The goal is to reach this “golden” state, which signifies not only their personal success but also their victory over the demons.
Post-Chorus: Embracing True Identity
Oh, I’m done hidin’ now I’m shinin’
Like I’m born to be
Rumi is shining on stage and in her personal life. She has fully accepted her purpose and feels that this is exactly who she was meant to become.
Oh, our time, no fears, no lies
That’s who we’re born to be
They are living without fear or lies, fully committed to their purpose.
They have all found their true calling.
Verse 2: Breaking the Old Patterns
Waited so long to break these walls down
To wake up and feel like me
Rumi has spent her life putting up walls to hide her secret.
She wants to break free from these barriers and finally feel like her true, whole self, without the weight of her secret.
Put these patterns all in the past now
And finally live like the girl they all see
The “patterns” refer to the demonic marks on her body.
She hopes that by helping to build the Golden Honmoon, she can erase the patterns and finally live as the normal human girl everyone thinks she is.
Pre-Chorus 2: United in Purpose
No more hiding, I’ll be shining
Like I’m born to be
She knows that once the demons are defeated, she can be her full self. She won’t have to feel any shame anymore.
‘Cause we are hunters, voices strong
And I know I believe
Their voices are not just for singing but are their weapons against the demons.
Rumi now believes in herself, but she also believes in her group and their combined power.
Outro: The Future is Bright
You know we’re gonna be, gonna be golden
We’re gonna be, gonna be
Born to be, born to be glowin’
This is all about accepting and embracing who she and they are.
They were born to stand out, a testament to their individual strength and their unity.
We shine brightly
You know that it’s our time, no fears, no lies
That’s who we’re born to be
The group has fully become the people they were always meant to be.
They’re no longer going to be ashamed of who they are, and they know they’re the ones who can take down the demons for good.
“Golden” Meaning: Self-Acceptance
“Golden” is a song about the transformative journey from self-hatred to self-acceptance. It’s about overcoming internal shame and fear by embracing your true identity.
Rumi’s personal struggle is at the heart of the song as she learns to accept her mixed heritage and see her unique qualities as a source of strength, not a weakness.
Songs Like “Golden”
Here are a few songs that share a similar theme of self-acceptance and empowerment:
1. “Brave” by Sara Bareilles
“Brave” is about finding the courage to speak your truth and show who you really are. Bareilles encourages people to stand up for themselves and not hide how they feel.
2. “Who You Are” by Jessie J
“Who You Are” is about the pressures to be someone else and the importance of loving yourself just as you are. It’s another song about self-acceptance and finding strength in your true identity.
3. “Skyscraper” by Demi Lovato
“Skyscraper” ais bout resilience and overcoming difficult times. Lovato sings about rising above struggles and coming back stronger than before.
Related: Songs About Eating Disorders
4. “Firework” by Katy Perry
“Firework” is about realizing your inner worth, even after being overlooked or doubted. Like “Golden,” it’s about the power that comes from embracing your individuality.
Related: Best Songs with Similes
Conclusion: From Shame to Belonging
“Golden” is a song about self-acceptance and finding strength through community. It traces a path from loneliness and fear to confidence and open honesty.
“Golden” is very much tied to the story in KPop Demon Hunters, but it’s an inspirational song that just about everyone can relate to. It celebrates the idea that when you find your place and your people, you can live without fear or lies.
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