The Sam Sanders Show Can KPop Heal Us All? w/ Songwriter Mark Sonnenblick
Oct 10, 2025
Mark Sonnenblick, a talented songwriter with a background in musical theater, shares his insights on crafting the hit soundtrack for 'K-pop Demon Hunters.' He discusses the explosive global success of its anthem 'Golden,' highlighting the technical vocal challenges tied to storytelling. Mark delves into the process of blending Broadway influences with K-pop sounds and the emotional core of Rumi's character. He even peppers in his hot take on the brilliance of 'Cats.' It's a fascinating journey through the art of song and narrative!
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Meet The Genre Where It Lives
- When writing for an unfamiliar genre, collaborate with native creators and adapt to the project's sonic identity.
- Mark joined Black Label producers and EJ to merge musical-theater storytelling with authentic K-pop production.
How Mark Joined The Project
- Ian Eisendrath recruited Mark after prior collaborations and pitched a K-pop animated demon-hunting musical to him.
- Mark accepted because the team intended the project to be a true musical with narrative songs, not just a pop soundtrack.
Literal Details, Universal Hooks
- The songwriting often uses literal character imagery (e.g., Rumi's skin patterns) while keeping lyrics universally resonant as pop songs.
- Mark aims to put character-authentic lines in characters' mouths while crafting broadly relatable hooks.