"KPop Demon Hunters" has been making headlines and going viral online since its June 20 premiere on the global streaming platform Netflix. Produced by Sony Pictures Animation and directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, the animated film combines fantasy, action, comedy, and music to tell the story of HUNTR/X, an immensely popular K-pop girl group that fights demons behind the scenes. Its original English version features a star-studded voice cast, including actors Arden Cho, Hyo-seop Ahn, and Byung-hun Lee.

According to Netflix, "KPop Demon Hunters" earned 9.2 million views and entered the platform's Global Top 10 English movies in 80 countries within just two days of its release. As of June 29, the film already has 24.2 million views and is in Netflix's top 10 English films across 93 countries, claiming the number one spot in 33 of them, including Brazil, Denmark, New Zealand, Korea, and the Philippines. 

While scrolling on Facebook last week, I came across a post by a former colleague inviting everyone to watch the Filipino-dubbed version of "KPop Demon Hunters" and revealing that her brother, Marc Peter Baluyan, is one of its voice cast members. Baluyan—an independent singer-songwriter, event host, and voice-over talent—performed as the Filipino singing voice of the lead male character, Jinu, who is voiced by Hyo-seop Ahn in the film's English version. Jinu leads the Saja Boys, HUNTR/X's charismatic rival group, whose members are demons disguised as K-pop idols.

On his official website, Baluyan shares his well-rounded foundation as a performing artist, which dates back to his grade school days, when he first developed his singing, dancing, and acting skills, which were then complemented by his public speaking and hosting skills in high school. Over the years, he further honed his performing skills through theater acting and various voice-over engagements. He has also trained in renowned institutions in the Philippines, including the music school of acclaimed Filipino musician and composer Ryan Cayabyab, and attended artist training workshops by ABS-CBN, one of the Philippines' leading entertainment and news networks. In 2010, he received the Loyola Schools Award for the Arts (LSAA) from his college, Ateneo de Manila University, which is one of the Philippines' top educational institutions.

To learn more about Baluyan and his career as a performing artist, particularly his participation in the Filipino-dubbed "KPop Demon Hunters", as well as his thoughts on the film, I recently reached out to him for a written interview.

Below are excerpts from my interview with Baluyan via email from June 24-26, 2025.

Could you please tell us about yourself, including your background as a performing artist?

I release original songs on major streaming platforms under the artist name "Voscle". I host weddings, parties, corporate events, and volunteer events. Sometimes, I sing (or sing and dance) at these weddings and parties. I also do voice-overs for television ads, digital/social media ads, radio, film, and corporate videos. 

I was trained in both pop singing and musical theater, but I've always been a pop singer first. In college, I was a very active member of the student musical theater organization Ateneo Blue Repertory, where I've done both ensemble and lead roles. 

After college, I went on to carve my own path, performing on the side while keeping a day job, until eventually pivoting to full-time performing as an independent singer-songwriter, event host, and voice-over talent. 

How did the opportunity to work on "KPop Demon Hunters" come about?

Some voice-over talent casters for ads at Hit Productions, Inc., namely Joanne Lim-Reyes, Lea Lardizabal, and Japs Concepcion, recommended me to Jo Anne Chua, the project manager of the dedicated team at Hit that was handling the localization of the film for Netflix. 

I'm a regular voice-over talent at Hit Productions, but I've never really gotten singing projects like commercial jingles before. Jo Anne Chua invited me to audition, keeping a lot of information about the project confidential, of course. But it was a singing project with Hit (finally) for a Netflix film (which you definitely say yes to); I was just happy to get a shot at this unique opportunity, so I gladly took it without knowing or expecting much, and the rest is history. 

In one of your social media posts in September last year, you said, "Singing is at the core of my performer-being. I will continue to use my voice not only to further my craft but to make beautiful memories for others." Then in a post this week, you referred to being the singing voice of Jinu as a "new level unlocked. New career milestone achieved." How do you feel about being chosen as the singing voice of Jinu in the Filipino-dubbed version of "KPop Demon Hunters", and what does this role mean to you as a performer?

During the audition phase, I felt really good about the whole thing. Deep down, somehow, I knew this was the role for me, that I was the right person for the job. Now, after watching the film and seeing everyone's appreciation for it on social media, especially for the Filipino-dubbed version, I feel very proud, honored, and grateful. 

Here's a guy who's never been cast as a jingle singer, now singing in a Netflix–Sony Pictures Animation film. I'd like to believe I unlocked something here. I'd like to think this is a career milestone, something that will open more doors and windows, an important step toward more opportunities. 

And this whole thing is indeed an example of what I said in that old post of mine—using my voice or sharing my voice in things that people can experience, enjoy, and love. 

You are a singer-songwriter, event host, voice-over talent, dancer, and actor. In what way(s) has working in different creative disciplines influenced your performance as Jinu's Filipino singing voice?

In any kind of performance, I always draw from my various creative skills. It's like an internal organic network I can tap into anytime. For Jinu, it wasn't just about singing well or hitting the notes as a singer. It was about understanding the lyrics, which I'm primed to do because I write and release my own songs. It was about feeling, flowing with, and grooving to the music, which is part of being a dancer. It was about internalizing Jinu's struggle, which is something an actor does. It was about communicating a message clearly, which is a key principle of event hosting. 

What steps did you take to prepare for your role? Also, did you draw inspiration from any K-pop idols?

Way before I got the part, I think the accumulation of every performance I've done as a singer, host, voice talent, etc., thus far has contributed to my readiness for the role. Behind these performances were little habits and routines that reinforced and continue to reinforce my identity as a performer—vocalizing at home, practicing or rehearsing something repeatedly, watching videos, listening to new music, and doing all sorts of stuff that a performer does to stay sharp. 

So when I was asked to audition, I was ready. When I got the role, I was raring to go. When I received the lyrics and vocal guides for Jinu, I felt like I was halfway done already.

Interestingly, for Jinu and for this film as a whole, I had to filter out any kind of musical influences. I had to immerse myself fully into the material as if it were its own thing, which it is.

But I'm also a pop singer through and through, despite my experience in musical theater. I've always been a pop singer first. So all of the pop-ness I could muster in me, I poured into the role and into the recording.

What was the recording process like, and how was it working with the other cast members and the team behind the Filipino-dubbed version of "KPop Demon Hunters"?

The recording process was pretty straightforward, efficient, and fun. After settling and finalizing our schedules, recording was a breeze. Everyone was so supportive of each other, and I think that really ensured we got the best quality from everyone involved, regardless of role. Also, we all had tremendous respect and love for the material, and I think that showed in the finished product. 

Which was your favorite song to perform in the movie, and why?

This is a tough one. Each one holds a special place in my heart, and I genuinely enjoyed singing each one. They're my kind of songs to sing, really!

Jinu's very first song, his lament—as short as it was—had layers of poignancy and determination typical of ballads that resonate with me. The second song, "Soda Pop", was such a bop, the kind that you just naturally groove to while singing it, and one that you knew was going to be everyone's LSS (last song syndrome). The third song, "Free" or "Lumaya" in Filipino—Jinu's duet with Rumi—was a sweet mix of melodic R&B and lyrical rap, the kind that best displayed my vocal fluidity. And the fourth song, "Your Idol" or "D'yos-D'yosan" in Filipino, was such a powerful, climactic piece. It was also the most difficult one to record for me because of its complex layers and challenging notes.  

If I really had to choose a favorite, I'd have to say "Your Idol" or "D'yos-D'yosan". I'll be a little self-centered here. It's a song that best showcases my vocal range, texture, and acting. It has everything the other songs have in terms of musicality, and it's the Saja Boys' coup de grace in their evil mission. There's just so much "oomph" to this song's composition and story. I love it. My wife loves it. 

"Soda Pop" is one of the songs performed by Marc Baluyan as the singing voice of Jinu in the Filipino dub of "KPop Demon Hunters". (Netflix Philippines)

Before "KPop Demon Hunters", you already had professional experience in Korea back in 2017, when you performed in the "Real-life Fairytales" musical at the Daegu International Musical Festival. Could you please tell us a bit about that experience and your role?

"Real-life Fairytales" is an original musical by Ateneo Blue Repertory written and composed by multi-awarded musical director, Ejay Yatco, based on a book by Missy Maramara, Gabbi Campomanes, Helene Enriquez-Arnaiz, and Robyn Jereza. Ejay is also a good friend of mine. He invited me and other Ateneo alumni—including Maronne Cruz, the singing voice of Zoey in the Filipino-dubbed version of "KPop Demon Hunters"—to represent our alma mater at the 11th Daegu International Musical Festival in Korea. We were the only Philippine delegation there! "Real-life Fairytales" features an ensemble cast in a series of vignettes about mental health, body image, abuse, and self-worth. I played three different characters across these vignettes.

It was an amazing experience traveling to Daegu and performing live on an international stage. We did it in such a world-class facility, equipped with cutting-edge features that none of us in the team had ever used or experienced in the Philippines. Even our lighting designer, Miyo Sta. Maria, was so amazed at how advanced the console that he worked on was compared to what he was used to back home. Some young Korean university students were also present as volunteers to help us out backstage and sort out any other things we needed. 

Since the musical was a mixture of English and Filipino, there were Korean translations projected onto screens on either side of the stage. We had such a gracious Korean audience and some standing ovations to boot! We felt the warmth and hospitality of our Korean hosts—we had such superstar treatment. 

More than that, however, we really witnessed Korea's culture of excellence, creativity, and precision. It was on full display in the way they mount events, produce original material, and curate experiences for art, leisure, or entertainment.

Who are your favorite K-pop groups or idols, if any, and why?

In my personal streaming playlists, I have songs from BTS, Stray Kids, NCT Dream, TOMORROW X TOGETHER, BLACKPINK, and TWICE. Now, I can't say I know all of their songs and follow all of their journeys, but they have hits that I simply vibe with so easily. I have a penchant for song-and-dance productions and upbeat tracks, which they have a lot of. And I love watching electrifying performances, which they always deliver.

What are your personal thoughts about "KPop Demon Hunters", and why do you recommend that people watch it?

K-pop meets demon hunting—I mean—what a concept! It's a spectacular film—the fantasy world it built, the stunning visuals, the way the characters were written, the story's trajectory, and the lessons we can learn about friendship and self-worth. This animated musical film is perfect for all ages. It hits hard regardless of who you are or where you are in life. 

The music is so powerful, too. It draws you in and keeps you wanting more long after watching the film.

And of course, the translation of the script and the songs into Filipino is just superb. The themes, emotions, and nuances of the film are unfiltered, genuine experiences that can resonate with any Filipino viewer. Everything just translates so well into our language, culture, and way of life.

What message would you like to share with the viewers of "KPop Demon Hunters", especially the Filipino audience who have watched or are planning to watch the Filipino-dubbed version?

You don't have to be a K-pop fan, an animated film buff, or a musical lover to appreciate this film. If you love a good, action-packed story, then "KPop Demon Hunters" is going to be a big treat.

And for Filipino audiences out there, I assure you, you'll be so proud of the Filipino-dubbed version. We don't just sound good. We sound right for this film.

What other forms or genres of Korean entertainment would you like to explore in the future?

I welcome any kind of collaboration with Korean entertainment entities out there. Marc Baluyan, or Voscle, is ready to sing, dance, produce hits, mount shows, and create experiences with them for the world to love.

​H​aving enjoyed both the original English version and the Filipino dub of "KPop Demon Hunters", I agree with Baluyan. ​​Like many​ of my fellow Filipinos who have expressed their admiration and amazement online​, I felt so proud of the movie's Filipino-dubbed version​. Thanks to Baluyan and the rest of the Philippine team, ​"KPop Demon Hunters" has brought joy to even more audiences in the Philippines—and continues to do so. At the same time, more Filipinos are gaining an even deeper appreciation of their fellowmen's talents and skills in dubbing and voice acting. ​With the overwhelming success of "KPop Demon Hunters"​, including its Filipino-dubbed version, I look forward to more high-quality productions like this from the​ film's creators and our very own Filipino artists.​​