Kelly Clarkson stunned viewers with a soaring rendition of “What It Sounds Like” from the Netflix phenomenon KPop Demon Hunters during her January 13 show.
At a Glance
- Clarkson delivered a rock-tinged cover of the animated film’s signature ballad
- The movie has topped 236 million views since its June 2025 debut
- Guest Arden Cho shared how voicing Rumi helped her embrace her Korean identity
- Why it matters: The crossover moment spotlights Asian-led storytelling breaking mainstream records
The Kellyoke segment opened with Clarkson, 43, in a taupe vest-jumper over black layers, softly starting the power ballad. By the chorus her band swelled into a rock arrangement while she belted:
> “Why did I cover up the colors stuck inside my head? / I should’ve let the jagged edges meet the light instead.”
She held the final note as the studio lights flared, earning a roaring audience ovation.
Inside the Global Sensation
KPop Demon Hunters centers on girl-group HUNTR/X-members Rumi, Mira and Zoey-who balance stadium tours with secret demon-hunting missions. After ticket sales slip, the trio leans into their supernatural skills to protect fans from paranormal threats.
Netflix launched the animated feature on June 4, 2025. Within eight weeks it became the platform’s most-watched film ever, overtaking previous record-holder Red Notice.
| Milestone | Date | Views |
|---|---|---|
| Premiere | June 4, 2025 | – |
| 100 M mark | June 25, 2025 | 100 million |
| All-time #1 | August 2, 2025 | 236 million |
Arden Cho on Finding Herself Through Rumi
Following the performance, Clarkson welcomed Arden Cho, the Korean-American actress who voices Rumi. Cho, 40, told News Of Losangeles the role mirrored her own identity journey.
> “Growing up with this confusion of identity, feeling like there’s not a place for me, I’m Korean, Korean-American, I’m Asian. I think I’m American, I’m born in Texas, I thought I was Texan,” Cho said.
She recalled casting rooms where she was “sometimes not Asian enough, sometimes too Asian.” In her twenties and thirties she tried to appear “perfect,” hiding her love of K-fashion and Korean food after classmates mocked the smells and textures.
“[I] was like, ‘You know what, I am Korean, and I love K-pop… I love Korean food,'” Cho said, adding that embracing those passions helped her rebuild confidence after “losing it all, breaking down and being exposed.”
Clarkson nodded, calling Cho’s vulnerability “powerful,” and thanked her for “showing kids they can own every part of who they are.”
Why Kellyoke Keeps Trending
The Kellyoke segment has become a daily viral engine for The Kelly Clarkson Show, regularly placing songs back on iTunes and Spotify charts. Tuesday’s cover shot “What It Sounds Like” from KPop Demon Hunters to #3 on U.S. iTunes within hours.
Olivia M. Hartwell reported that Clarkson chooses tracks spanning decades and genres, often spotlighting stories from under-represented creators. Previous covers include Olivia Rodrigo’s “vampire,” Tina Turner’s “What’s Love Got to Do with It,” and BTS’s “Fake Love,” each gaining millions of YouTube views.
Key Takeaways
- Kelly Clarkson’s January 13 cover gave fresh rock energy to the animated film’s ballad
- KPop Demon Hunters continues to break records with 236 million views and counting
- Arden Cho says voicing Rumi helped her proudly claim her Korean heritage
- The crossover performance underlines mainstream appetite for Asian-led pop culture
The episode is streaming now on Peacock and clips are live on The Kelly Clarkson Show YouTube channel.
