KPop Demon Hunters sequel 'in process', reveals Golden songwriter

Mark Sonnenblick has won a Golden Globe and a Grammy this year, having co-written Golden with vocalist Ejae

KPop Demon Hunters songwriter Mark Sonnenblick says a sequel to Netflix's most-watched film is "in process".

In 2026 alone, he's won a Golden Globe, a Grammy and been nominated for an Academy Award for co-writing Golden, the animation's biggest hit.

Conversations about a follow-up add to a whirlwind year for Sonnenblick, who says the film has taken everyone involved from "zero to a million".

Also keeping him busy is his new musical, Midnight at the Never Get, as it's announced it will open in London this summer.

When BBC Newsbeat meets Sonnenblick, it's less than an hour after he hears Golden has been shortlisted for an Oscar.

"You're catching me at a very vulnerable time," he says, holding his phone after an emotional call with his parents in the US.

"This song could have disappeared.

"The only reason this nomination happened is fans responded and told other people to watch the film."

But Golden, the first K-Pop song to win a Grammy, is a long way from disappearing.

Golden became one of 2025's biggest hits and could win an Oscar at the Academy Awards on 15 March

While Sonnenblick predicts he'll "never have an experience like this", Netflix wasn't likely to let the KPop Demon Hunters story end there.

And its creator Maggie Kang had already said there's "definitely more" to be done with its characters.

"There's going to be a whole development process before we get deep into writing the songs," says Mark.

"The music will follow from the story and that's if it makes sense for us all to be doing it again."

Musical theatre star Ben Platt will play Midnight at the Never Get's lead when it opens in July

For now, Sonnenblick hopes to follow KPop Demon Hunters' success with a different kind of hit.

His musical Midnight at the Never Get, with US actor and theatre star Ben Platt playing its lead, will open at London's Menier Chocolate Factory in July.

It tells the story of a singer's relationship with a songwriter, set in an illegal gay bar in 1960s New York.

"I went in to listening to Mark's songs thinking 'oh, these are by my lovely friend'," Platt tells Newsbeat.

"But I was really bowled over by the character and the score."

Platt is the latest in a flurry of established stars set for London stages, with Wicked duo Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey confirmed for a theatre reunion in 2027.

Sonnenblick already has a hit musical on his CV, having worked with Sir Elton John on The Devil Wears Prada.

"London feels like a really exciting and safe space to create something new," says Platt, who won a Tony Award for Dear Evan Hansen in 2017.

"Audiences here have such intelligence and respect for this particular craft and it felt like the perfect place to do it."

And he says he's ready to take on similar soaring high notes to those in Sonnenblick's hit, Golden.

"I have attempted that song in the shower," he admits.

"But there's a karaoke version on YouTube with a male key that I sing it to."

Midnight at the Never Get is at London's Menier Chocolate Factory from July-September 2026.

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