"Free" is a hit from the animated Netflix film KPOP DEMON HUNTERS, streamed millions of times and covered by both fans and popular K-pop idols alike.
[Rumi]
I tried to hide but something brokeI tried to hide but something broke
I tried to sing, couldn't hit the notesI tried to sing, couldn't hit the notes
The words kept catching in my throatThe words kept catching in my throat
I tried to smile, I was suffocating thoughI tried to smile, I was suffocating though
But here with you, I can finally breatheBut here with you, I can finally breathe
You say, you're no good but you're good for meYou say, you're no good but you're good for me
I've been hoping to change, now I know we can changeI've been hoping to change, now I know we can change
But I won't if you're not by my sideBut I won't if you're not by my side
[Rumi]
Why does it feel right every time I let you in?Why does it feel right every time I let you in?
Why does it feel like I can tell you anything?Why does it feel like I can tell you anything?
All the secrets that keep me in chains andAll the secrets that keep me in chains and
All the damage that might make me dangerousAll the damage that might make me dangerous
You got a dark side, guess you're not the only oneYou got a dark side, guess you're not the only one
What if we both tried fighting what we're running from?What if we both tried fighting what we're running from?
We can't fix it if we never face itWe can't fix it if we never face it
What if we find a way to escape it?What if we find a way to escape it?
We could be free, freeWe could be free, free
We can't fix it if we never face itWe can't fix it if we never face it
Let the past be the past till it's weightlessLet the past be the past till it's weightless
[Jinu]
Ooh, time goes by and I lose perspectiveOoh, time goes by and I lose perspective
Yeah, hope only hurts so I just forget itYeah, hope only hurts so I just forget it
But you're breaking through all the dark in me when I thought that nobody couldBut you're breaking through all the dark in me when I thought that nobody could
And you're waking up all these parts of me that I thought were buried for goodAnd you're waking up all these parts of me that I thought were buried for good
Between imposter and this monster, I've been lost inside my headBetween imposter and this monster, I've been lost inside my head
Ain't no choice when all these voices keep me pointing towards no endAin't no choice when all these voices keep me pointing towards no end
It's just easy when I'm with you, no one sees me the way you doIt's just easy when I'm with you, no one sees me the way you do
I don't trust it, but I want to, I keep coming back toI don't trust it, but I want to, I keep coming back to
[Rumi & Jinu]
Why does it feel right every time I let you in?Why does it feel right every time I let you in?
Why does it feel like I can tell you anything?Why does it feel like I can tell you anything?
We can't fix it if we never face itWe can't fix it if we never face it
What if we find a way to escape it?What if we find a way to escape it?
We could be free, freeWe could be free, free
We can't fix it if we never face itWe can't fix it if we never face it
Let the past be the past till it's weightlessLet the past be the past till it's weightless
[Rumi & Jinu]
Oh, so take my hand, it's open (Free, free)Oh, so take my hand, it's open (Free, free)
What if we heal what's broken? (Free, free)What if we heal what's broken? (Free, free)
I tried to hide but something brokeI tried to hide but something broke
I couldn't sing, but you give me hopeI couldn't sing, but you give me hope
We can't fix it if we never face itWe can't fix it if we never face it
Let the past be the past till it's weightlessLet the past be the past till it's weightless
About Free
The song marks an emotional turning point in the film. Singer and demon hunter Rumi struggles with her demonic side, which she hides even from her two bandmates. It's none other than Jinu, a demon and member of the rival boy group Saja Boys, who helps her accept this side of herself.
"Free" is about the two characters' wish to leave their dark past behind and be free. They reach out to each other and give each other hope. Together, Rumi and Jinu want to face their problems and fight for their freedom. Rumi is sung by singer-songwriter Ejae, and Jinu by solo artist Andrew Choi.
With this song, the two lead characters show their vulnerable side and draw viewers in. Naturally, it wasn't long before the first covers appeared online, and even our favorite stars couldn't resist the hype. A special highlight was the cover by popular singer and actor Cha Eunwoo together with Arden Cho, Rumi's own voice actress. Jinu's voice actor, actor Ahn Hyo Seop, also released a short cover. One of our favorites is the video by Alexa and Junhee (A.C.E), which almost looks like a live-action version of KPOP DEMON HUNTERS.
All these reactions show just how deeply the song has touched fans' hearts. It shows that true strength lies in accepting yourself – flaws, scars, contradictions and all.
