The fictional boy group Saja Boys from Netflix’s hit animation K-Pop Demon Hunters is becoming even more real. All five vocalists behind the group have officially joined the Korea Performers’ Association (KMPA / 한국음악실연자연합회), marking a new milestone for an animated K-pop act crossing into the real music industry.
On November 13, the association announced that Danny Chung (대니 정) and samUIL Lee (사무일 리) — along with existing members Andrew Choi, Neckwav, and Kevin Woo — are now registered performers’ rights holders under KMPA.
These five artists collectively make up the singing voices of Saja Boys in K-Pop Demon Hunters, which has gained global attention since its release.
A Vocal Line Filled With Real K-pop Talent
The lineup includes some major names:
- Andrew Choi — 3rd place on K-Pop Star Season 2, and a hit songwriter behind tracks for SHINee, EXO, NCT, and more.
- Kevin Woo — Former U-KISS member, now an active soloist and musical actor.
- Neckwav, Danny Chung, and samUIL Lee — active producers, composers, and vocalists in global music circuits.
A Meaningful Move for Global Artists Working in K-Content
KMPA noted that this is a significant example of international artists voluntarily joining Korea’s neighboring rights system, emphasizing the trust K-content creators place in Korean copyright protections as K-pop continues to expand worldwide.
KMPA’s Overseas DB Team leader, Jo Hyun, stated:
“As K-pop–based content spreads globally, it’s meaningful that overseas artists are choosing to join our system. We’ll continue strengthening the foundation so all performers — domestic and abroad — can receive the rights they deserve.”
About Korea Performers’ Association (KMPA)
Founded in 1988, KMPA is Korea’s only official organization managing neighboring rights for performers. It is recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and handles royalty collection, distribution, and welfare programs.
Recent high-profile joiners include Wendy of Red Velvet, who became the association’s 50,000th member.
The organization allows any performer who participated in recordings to join without an admission fee and has expanded online registration systems to be more accessible — a change that has increased membership significantly.
As K-Pop Demon Hunters continues to grow a passionate global fandom, the Saja Boys’ expansion into real-world music rights is another step in blurring the line between animation and K-pop reality — and fans are loving it.
Editor’s Insight
What’s truly groundbreaking here is how K-Pop Demon Hunters is shifting the “Virtual Idol” narrative. Usually, animated groups feel like temporary promotional tools, but by having the vocalists—including heavyweights like Kevin Woo and Andrew Choi officially register with the Korea Music Performers’ Association (KMPA), the Saja Boys are achieving a level of “industry legitimacy” that few fictional acts ever reach. It’s a brilliant crossover: these aren’t just actors playing a role; they are established K-pop veterans like Kevin (U-KISS) and elite songwriters like Andrew Choi (EXO, SHINee) reclaiming their identity through digital avatars.
From a global perspective, this is also a huge win for Intellectual Property (IP) rights. In 2026, as K-content dominates platforms like Netflix, the fact that international artists are voluntarily joining the Korean copyright system shows just how much trust there is in the KMPA’s infrastructure. It’s a signal to the world that whether you are a solo artist like Red Velvet’s Wendy (the 50,000th member) or a “Demon Hunter” in an animated hit, the Korean system is the gold standard for protecting your work. It makes the Saja Boys feel less like a “Netflix project” and more like a real, functioning part of the K-pop ecosystem we all know and love.