YG Entertainment Star’s “KPop Demon Hunters” “Golden” Cover Hit With Scathing Reactions
Ever since KPOP Demon Hunters’ mega-hit original soundtrack “GOLDEN” dropped earlier this year, it’s become something of a benchmark for K-Pop idol vocalists.
It’s not hard to see why. With its demanding high notes and intense belting sections, even experienced singers have called it a challenge — including Red Velvet’s Wendy, one of K-Pop’s most respected vocalists.
Why Red Velvet’s Wendy Refuses To Cover “KPop Demon Hunters” Hit Song “GOLDEN”
Recently, BABYMONSTER’s Ahyeon decided to take on the song… and the results have sparked heavy criticism from non-fans.
Already known for her distinct vocal tone, which has often been the focus of backlash from international netizens, everyone knew Ahyeon’s cover of the hit song would gain attention.
While her fans praised her confidence and vocal range, calling the impromptu performance bold and impressive, general reactions online were far less forgiving.
Many felt her tone didn’t suit the song’s key, describing her vocals as strained and overly loud. Others argued that her delivery lacked control and finesse, claiming that the performance was difficult to listen to at times.
She has a great vocal tone and range but she lacks the proper technique to execute it well, often singing out of tune.
Golden is not just about high notes btw— rio ⚡︎ (@satturonoi) October 13, 2025
I forgot to turn down the volume, my ears hurt 😭😭
— juunismy (@pyuufl) October 13, 2025
forgot to turn down the volume before hitting play… Atp I should just hit mute as soon as I see her face… I really don’t hate her but I can’t with her screaming
— Roman (@empirical_roman) October 13, 2025
Harsher criticism also extended to how the cover reflected on BABYMONSTER’s overall image, with some netizens suggesting that Ahyeon’s attempt could hurt the group’s reputation rather than showcase their talent.
she has one of the worst vocal tones in kpop https://t.co/1wBAlkBAak
— ' (@cvntville) October 13, 2025
aheyon is bad for babymonster's brand they need to put her on permanent hiatus https://t.co/n3XE0c0zu5
— ̤̮ (@garfickle) October 13, 2025
Despite this, her supporters insisted she handled one of K-Pop’s hardest songs admirably, especially given that even the original singer had trouble performing it live in the original key.
the original singer couldn’t even perform it herself in the original key. oh ahyeon don’t end them like that 🙂↕️ https://t.co/sqNNAqF4Ub
— zena (@zena_fangirl) October 13, 2025
The clip has since gone viral on X (formerly Twitter), sparking thousands of comments and reigniting debate about the group’s vocal strengths. Whether this moment helps Ahyeon prove her versatility or adds fuel to her critics’ fire, one thing is clear: “GOLDEN” remains one of the toughest songs in K-Pop.
