If you’ve spent any time on TikTok or Netflix lately, you’ve probably had a specific, sugary melody stuck in your head for three days straight. You know the one. It’s got that "Butter"-esque sheen, a bassline that feels like a neon sugar rush, and a chorus that demands you sing along. I'm talking about the Saja Boys. Specifically, I'm talking about Kevin Woo Soda Pop lyrics and why they are way darker than your average summer anthem.
Honestly, it’s kinda brilliant. On the surface, it’s just another high-energy K-pop track about a crush. But if you actually look at what Kevin Woo and the rest of the crew are singing, the "sweetness" starts to feel a little more like a trap.
The Dark Truth Behind the Bubbles
The song comes from the 2025 Netflix hit KPop Demon Hunters. In the movie, the Saja Boys aren't just a rival group; they’re literal demons. Like, actual soul-consuming monsters from the underworld. When Kevin Woo (voicing the character Mystery Saja) sings about needing you to "fill him up," he’s not being romantic.
He’s hungry.
Basically, the lyrics are a metaphor for luring in fans to steal their souls. Producer Ian Eisendrath has been pretty open about this. He wanted a song that sounded like a "super bubblegum-y" boy band track but hid a "nefarious subtext."
A Breakdown of the Deceptive Lyrics
Let's look at the actual Kevin Woo Soda Pop lyrics to see where the mask slips. The song opens with a classic K-pop "Hey hey" hook, but then Jinu (Andrew Choi) drops this line:
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"I drink and drink but I don't feel satisfied."
It sounds like typical pop-song longing. But then Mystery (Kevin) joins in, singing about holding you so tight he can't let go "not tonight." In the context of the movie, these demons are "drinking every drop" of their fans' energy. They feed on souls. That "refreshing" feeling they keep mentioning? That's the literal life force of the audience.
Why Kevin Woo Was the Perfect Choice
Kevin Woo is a legend in the K-pop world. If you were a "KissMe" back in the day, you know him from U-KISS. He's got that polished, 2nd-gen idol vibe that makes him incredibly believable as a superstar. Danny Chung, who voiced Baby Saja and co-wrote the lyrics, actually recommended Kevin for the role because he knew Kevin could bridge that gap between English and Korean flawlessly.
Plus, Kevin’s voice has this specific "sweet but sharp" tone. It’s exactly what the music team needed for a character named Mystery. He can deliver lines like "You’re my soda pop" with enough charm to make you forget he's playing a villain who wants to eat you.
Fact vs. Fiction: The AI Controversy
There was a weird rumor going around social media claiming the lyrics for "Soda Pop" were written by AI. People were pointing to a tweet from Sherwin Wu and some articles suggesting producer Vince used ChatGPT.
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Here’s the reality: It’s a misunderstanding.
Vince did mention in an interview that he sometimes uses AI for general inspiration in his production process, but Republic Records confirmed no AI was used to write the lyrics or compose "Soda Pop." It was a human-led effort by Vince, Kush, and Danny Chung. The "soulless" vibe people picked up on? That was a deliberate creative choice to make the Saja Boys feel eerie and manufactured.
Charts and the "Soda Pop" Craze
The song didn't just stay in the movie. It exploded. By July 2025, it was peaking at #6 on the Billboard Global 200. It even hit #3 on the Hot 100 in October.
Why? Because it’s an earworm.
You’ve got:
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- The "Can Tab" Sound: The literal sound of a soda opening at the start of the bridge.
- The Key Change: A late-song shift that feels like a massive sugar high (even if some critics called it "too sparkly").
- The Choreography: Viral TikTok challenges that saw everyone from J-Hope to Stray Kids doing the "Soda Pop" dance.
Kevin Woo even performed it live atop a tour bus in LA and at the "A Year in TIME" event in New York. Seeing a 2nd-gen idol dominate the charts in 2025 with a "fictional" band was a huge full-circle moment for long-time fans.
What Most People Get Wrong
A lot of casual listeners think "Soda Pop" is just a copy of BTS or SEVENTEEN. While the producers did use "Butter" as a stylistic North Star, the song is actually a parody. It’s a critique of how "addictive" and "consuming" idol culture can be.
When the Saja Boys sing "Look at me right now, there's no time / You're mine, you already know," they are leaning into the possessive nature of the fan-idol relationship. It’s meant to be "cheesy by design," as Danny Chung put it. It lures you in with familiarity so the twist in the movie hits harder.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're obsessed with the track and want more than just the 2-minute-30-second Netflix version, here is what you should do next:
- Check out the Deluxe Soundtrack: It includes a "Sing-Along" version of "Soda Pop" that lets you hear the instrumental layers—like those weirdly dark synth pads—more clearly.
- Watch Kevin’s Solo Cover: Kevin Woo released a solo "Mystery Saja" version on his YouTube channel. It’s a bit more vocal-focused and shows off his range without the group harmonies.
- Look for the "Soda Pop" Lyric Video: The official Netflix Family channel has a lyric video that highlights the English and Korean translations, which helps in catching the double meanings you might miss while just vibing to the beat.
The song is a masterclass in "dark pop" disguised as sunshine. Next time you hear Kevin Woo belt out that chorus, just remember: he's not looking for a girlfriend. He's looking for lunch.
To get the most out of the Kevin Woo Soda Pop lyrics, try listening to the track immediately after watching the Saja Boys' introduction scene in the film; the transition from "cute idols" to "soul-stealing demons" makes every line about "sipping and dripping" feel much more sinister.