KPop Demon Hunters may be the most-streamed Netflix film of all time, but for Korean American singer-rapper Audrey Nuna, its impact runs far deeper than chart milestones. As the singing voice of Mira—one-third of the in-universe girl group HUNTR/X—Nuna has unexpectedly found herself becoming two of the most-streamed artists on Earth: Audrey Nuna, the musician, and Mira, the fictional pop star who helped catapult the soundtrack to platinum success.
But as Nuna shared in her recent interview with Dazed, none of this came out of nowhere. Her artistic journey began long before Netflix domination—starting with a missed Broadway audition that changed everything.
A Turning Point in a Police Car
Growing up in New Jersey, Nuna auditioned constantly, hoping to break into theater. But one disastrous trip—a police-escorted return home after boarding a bus with an age-ineligible ticket—became the moment she reevaluated everything.
“I thought, ‘F*** this shit, I don’t want to bow to the approval of these casting directors. I want to make my own music,’” she told Dazed. From that day forward, Nuna threw herself into songwriting and Instagram covers, eventually catching the attention of producer Anwar—now her longtime collaborator.
Their early work, including her breakout 2021 single “Comic Sans” featuring Jack Harlow, laid the foundation for Nuna’s fearless pop-rap style. Even then, the bold personality of Mira was already taking shape.
Representation That Hits Home
Nuna admits that, growing up, she never imagined a Korean American girl like herself would be considered for Broadway roles. Which is why the success of KPop Demon Hunters feels especially meaningful.
“Crazy Rich Asians was a big turning point,” Nuna says. “I’d never seen so many Asian people on screen at a movie theater. Now, with this filming that I’m part of, it feels even more surreal to not just be charting, but also take number one slots.”
For Nuna, Mira’s story aligns perfectly with her own mission as an artist—to uplift outsiders and help build a more empathetic, open-minded world. “As someone who was a fellow outsider, I would love to empower others who feel that way,” she says.
Mira and Nuna: More Similar Than You Think
Beyond the matching love of pink hair, Nuna sees a deeper connection to Mira’s character.
“Mira has a really tough exterior, and I can relate to that,” she explains. “It’s a defense mechanism to a world that doesn’t accept you. I also really relate with the deep sense of empathy that she has, which I honestly think is her truest superpower.”
And would she ever pull a Mira and show up to the Met Gala in a sleeping bag? Well… she did wear one to the VMAs. So anything’s possible.
What’s Next for Audrey Nuna?
Calling in from Brazil, Nuna shared that she’s hard at work on her next album—so fans can expect the momentum to continue. Between the runaway success of KPop Demon Hunters, her evolving artistry, and her commitment to representation, Nuna’s rising star shows no signs of slowing.
Source: Dazed
