Few artists can look back on a year and honestly say every moment felt unreal — but for the voices behind KPop Demon Hunters, that description fits perfectly. As 2025 comes to a close, the vocalists of the fictional girl group HUNTR/X are still processing a whirlwind of milestones that turned their lives upside down in the best possible way.
In a recent conversation with Billboard ahead of their appearance on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest, REI AMI, EJAE, and Audrey Nuna reflected on the moments that made the past year feel almost too good to be true.
A Year That Felt Like One Long “Pinch Me” Moment
Asked to name a single standout highlight from 2025, the trio laughed at how impossible that task felt. According to EJAE, there was no single peak — the entire year felt surreal from start to finish.
“This whole year was a ‘pinch me’ year,” she shared, summing up the collective feeling among the group.
REI AMI pointed to a particularly iconic American tradition as her personal favorite: performing at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. What once felt like something she watched on TV had suddenly become part of her own reality.
From Studio Dreams to Legendary Stages
As the conversation continued, even more jaw-dropping memories came flooding back. EJAE reminded the group of their October performance on Saturday Night Live, a career milestone many artists only dream of achieving.
That realization only made the decision harder. “That too,” REI AMI admitted. “But it just keeps topping itself.”
For Audrey Nuna, one of the most unexpected highlights had nothing to do with charts or stages — and everything to do with family. Watching her mother casually chat about kimchi with Jimmy Fallon became a memory she’ll never forget.
How KPop Demon Hunters Became a Cultural Phenomenon
The difficulty in choosing a single highlight makes sense when you consider how massive KPop Demon Hunters became after its release. The animated musical series debuted on Netflix in June and quickly exploded into a global sensation, becoming the most-watched project in the platform’s history.
Its breakout single, “Golden,” dominated the charts with an eight-week run at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and went on to top Billboard’s year-end editorial ranking of 2025 songs. For a fictional girl group, HUNTR/X achieved very real, record-breaking success.
Sharing the Spotlight on New Year’s Eve
HUNTR/X is just one of many major acts set to perform on this year’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve. The star-packed lineup includes Mariah Carey, Chappell Roan, Post Malone, BigXthaPlug, Leon Thomas, Rick Springfield, Madison Beer, and more — all helping welcome viewers into 2026 from Times Square.
Other performers also shared their own unforgettable moments from 2025. Charlie Puth revealed that being asked to sing the national anthem at the upcoming Super Bowl felt like a once-in-a-lifetime honor. Demi Lovato, meanwhile, described marrying her longtime partner Jutes as the moment that made her dreams feel complete.
A Dream Year, with More Still to Come
As the countdown to midnight approaches, it’s clear that 2025 will forever be a defining chapter for the KPop Demon Hunters vocalists. From viral chart dominance to legendary live performances and deeply personal memories, the year delivered more than they ever imagined.
And if this past year proved anything, it’s that for REI AMI, EJAE, and Audrey Nuna, the dream is only just getting started.
