TWICE in K-Pop Demon Hunters: 'TAKEDOWN,' 'Strategy,' and Why ONCE Are Losing It
π· Photo: @JYPETWICE / JYP Entertainment · 2026
Okay, ONCE. Let's talk about what just happened. Netflix dropped K-Pop Demon Hunters and it became the most-watched film in Netflix history — yes, more than Squid Game, more than Red Notice, more than anything. And buried in all the Huntrix mania and Saja Boys discourse? TWICE. Three members. Two songs. A Billboard Hot 100 debut. No big deal. (It's a very big deal.)
Here's everything you need to know about TWICE's role in K-Pop Demon Hunters, why it matters, and what ONCE have been absolutely unhinged about since the credits rolled.
What Is K-Pop Demon Hunters, Actually?
K-Pop Demon Hunters is an animated Netflix film from Sony Pictures Animation — think K-pop meets supernatural action, with a fictional girl group called Huntrix (performing as HUNTR/X) who secretly battle evil spirits threatening the human world. Their rivals? The Saja Boys, a demon-born boy group with some very sinister ulterior motives.
The twist that made this film a global phenomenon: the soundtrack is actually good. Like, chart-topping, Grammy-winning good. The track "Golden" hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for three consecutive weeks. "Soda Pop" by the Saja Boys went viral on TikTok with hundreds of millions of views. The film has racked up over 500 million views on Netflix, making it the platform's most popular film ever.
And then there's the real-world K-pop integration. That's where TWICE comes in.
TWICE's Two Songs: 'TAKEDOWN' and 'Strategy'
JYP pulled off something genuinely clever here. TWICE didn't just appear in the film — they're woven into its universe in two completely different ways.
"TAKEDOWN" (TWICE Version) — This is the one that had ONCE absolutely screaming. The original "Takedown" is an aggressive anti-demon anthem performed by the fictional HUNTR/X group in the film. But the special TWICE version features three real members — Jeongyeon, Jihyo, and Chaeyoung — recording their own take on the track. It appears during the film's powerful end sequence, accompanied by exclusive behind-the-scenes footage from the recording studio. The song debuted at #86 on the Billboard Hot 100. For context: that's a real K-pop song, by real TWICE members, charting on Billboard, inside a fictional universe. Wild.
"Strategy" — TWICE's hit single was also included on the official K-Pop Demon Hunters soundtrack. And not just as filler — "Strategy" charted on the Billboard Hot 100 and has since crossed 300 million streams on Spotify. The song's inclusion in the film gave it a massive second wave of exposure to audiences who might not have been ONCE before watching the film.
π· Photo: @JYPETWICE / JYP Entertainment · 2026
Why Jeongyeon, Jihyo, and Chaeyoung?
The three members chosen for "TAKEDOWN" weren't random. Jihyo is TWICE's main vocalist and leader — having her anchor the track made sense. Jeongyeon has been on a tear this tour, with her solo stage becoming one of the most talked-about moments on the THIS IS FOR World Tour. And Chaeyoung, who was absent from multiple tour dates earlier this year due to a back injury, bringing her into this high-profile project felt like a statement: she's back, and she's here.
The combination of their voices gave "TAKEDOWN" something distinctly different from the animated version — grittier, more personal. Fans on Weverse have been saying Jihyo's delivery in the bridge is the best thing she's done since "ATM."
π°π· The Korean Side
Korean fans on Nate Pann and Weverse were thrilled — but also a little territorial. The dominant reaction wasn't "wow, TWICE made it into a Netflix film." It was more like: "finally, the world is seeing what we've always known." Several popular Pann posts celebrated the Billboard charting not as news, but as validation. One post with over 3,000 upvotes read something like: "The TWICE members who recorded 'TAKEDOWN' are three of the best vocalists in the fourth gen. Glad the world is catching up."
There was also significant discourse about whether Chaeyoung's contribution signalled she was fully recovered from her injury — Korean fans were watching for any clues about her health more than anything else.
π The Global Side
International fans had a completely different entry point. For a massive chunk of new viewers, K-Pop Demon Hunters was their introduction to TWICE. Reddit's r/kpop saw threads asking "who are these three real girls in the credits?" alongside longer posts from longtime ONCE explaining TWICE's entire decade-long career to newcomers. X was flooded with people discovering "Strategy" for the first time and looping it for hours. The phrase "I watched K-Pop Demon Hunters and now I'm a ONCE" became a recurring tweet format.
π The Gap
Here's what's interesting: Korean fans already knew TWICE was one of the biggest girl groups in the world. The Netflix moment wasn't a revelation for them — it was confirmation. But for global audiences, especially in markets where K-pop isn't as deeply embedded, this was genuinely a discovery moment. The gap isn't about love for TWICE. It's about how K-Pop Demon Hunters functioned differently depending on what you already knew. Korean fans watched it as fans. International fans watched it as a door.
Why This Moment Actually Matters
TWICE is about to hit their 10th anniversary in October 2026. And the timing of this film couldn't be better. Think about it: they're mid-way through the THIS IS FOR World Tour — which already made history with the Japan National Stadium runs — and now they have two songs from the most-watched Netflix film of all time. The new fan pipeline is real. "Strategy" streaming numbers have spiked since the film's release. Billboard is paying attention.
JYP clearly understood the assignment. Letting three members into this film's universe wasn't just a collab — it was brand building at a scale most K-pop agencies don't think about.
FAQ
Which TWICE members are in K-Pop Demon Hunters?
Jeongyeon, Jihyo, and Chaeyoung recorded a special version of "TAKEDOWN" that appears in the film's end sequence.
Did TWICE's songs chart on Billboard from the film?
"TAKEDOWN (TWICE Version)" debuted at #86 on the Billboard Hot 100. "Strategy" also charted separately on the Hot 100 and has crossed 300 million Spotify streams.
Is TWICE in the K-Pop Demon Hunters sequel?
Netflix has confirmed a sequel is in development targeting 2029. No casting has been announced yet.
π Key Details
π¬ Film: K-Pop Demon Hunters (Netflix / Sony Pictures Animation)
π΅ TWICE tracks: "TAKEDOWN (TWICE Version)" + "Strategy"
π₯ Members featured: Jeongyeon, Jihyo, Chaeyoung
π "TAKEDOWN" Billboard Hot 100 debut: #86
π "Strategy" Spotify: 300M+ streams
π₯ Film status: Netflix's most-watched film of all time (500M+ views)
π¬ Jamie's Take
Honestly, as someone who's followed TWICE since the CHEER UP era — this is the moment I've been waiting for. Not a new album, not another world tour record. This. TWICE getting woven into a cultural phenomenon that's introduced them to millions of people who had no idea who they were. "Strategy" trending on Spotify in countries that barely have K-pop fanbases. Newcomers on Reddit asking "wait, this is a real group?" And Jihyo just absolutely annihilating "TAKEDOWN" while three fanbases collectively forgot how to breathe. The 10th anniversary hasn't even happened yet. ONCE, I think we're going to be okay.
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