Since there’s a lot of talk about cat ladies in mainstream media these days (whatup JD Vance! You mad, bro?), we thought we’d get in on the action too, but in a less political, more binge-watch-y way.
This summer, we have been obsessed with the Netflix animated series ‘Exploding Kittens‘, which was released on the streaming platform July 12. ‘Exploding Kittens’ was inspired by the beloved card game from Matthew Inman of The Oatmeal webcomic, Elan Lee, and Shane Small, and the series is a wild and comical adventure. The show features an epic battle between God and the Devil, both reincarnated as chunky house cats.
What makes the show so engaging is the soundtrack that keeps you locked into the kittens’ wild ride! And we know for sure that the composers who brought this show to life had a tonne of fun putting it all together. The people behind the music for this show? Composer duo Jina An and Shirley Song.
Jina and Shirley have composed a soundtrack that captures the show’s explosive energy. They’ve mixed genres like 8-bit nostalgia, energetic Cajun flair, heavy metal rock, and both choral and orchestral scores to bring the madcap adventures and quirky characters to life.
Jina and Shirley are also known for working on the beloved Netflix series ‘XO, Kitty’ (we’re sensing a running theme here!). The series, based on the books by author Jenny Han, who became a household name from her book and subsequent Netflix cult-hit movie ‘To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before’, is a huge leap forward for Asian representation on screen, without having to draw on stereotypes or tropes.
We wanted to get to know the duo a little better, learn about their composition work, talk about the importance of representation on screen and behind, and also ask some super serious questions about what kind of cats they would be if they were reincarnated as one. Scroll on below for some fun!
Before we dive into the super cool work you both do, can you tell us how you met, and what you love most about working together?
Shirley Song: Jina and I met during our last year at the Berklee College of Music when we were both studying film scoring. I was drawn to her immediately because she was absolutely hilarious. Then, when I heard her music, I was blown away and thought, ‘Oh shoot, she’s REALLY good!’ I instantly fell in love with her music and her personality and just wanted to hang out and learn from her.
What I love most about working together is how our collaboration feels like an extension of our friendship. Jina has an incredible talent for creating emotional depth in her compositions. We challenge and inspire each other, pushing our creative boundaries while having a lot of fun along the way—there’s always SO MUCH laughter! No matter how stressful the situation, just knowing I have her by my side makes everything manageable and so enjoyable!
Jina An: Ditto to Shirley! I don’t think there is ever a day that passes by without laughing my butt off from our interaction. Shirley has an incredible sense of storytelling that’s evident in the approach she takes on any given scene. I’m always blown away by her ideas and the concepts she develops for the overall arc of the story. Such unique and tasteful thinking that I feel is a very special trait to have as a composer. It’s also really amazing to have someone help you come out of a rabbit hole while interpreting notes. Every project, I feel like I come out of it thanking Shirley for everything she brings to the table, that I hadn’t thought of in previous projects. I’m just so grateful we found each other!
Is it common for composers to work as a team? And how do you divide up the workflow and creative process for a job?
Shirley and Jina: There are many incredible composer duos we look up to, such as Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, Danny Bensi and Saunder Jurriaans, and Jeff and Mychael Danna, just to name a few. Working as a team allows us to combine our strengths and create a richer, more nuanced score.
In terms of dividing up the workflow, Jina and I start by discussing the overall vision and themes for the project. Once that’s established, we go into our respective studios and divide the music evenly. We’re constantly sharing our files back and forth, exchanging ideas and inspirations.
Our constant communication and feedback help us maintain a cohesive sound. This collaborative approach not only enhances the quality of the work but also makes the creative process more enjoyable and less stressful, as we can rely on each other’s support and expertise.
Ok let’s talk about…KITTENS! You both recently worked on Netflix’s ‘Exploding Kittens’. How did you first get attached to the project and what made you say “Yes!”?
Shirley and Jina: HOW CAN ONE SAY NO TO EXPLODING KITTENS?!?! We were both huge fans of the tabletop game, and I (Shirley) was a big fan of The Oatmeal and his comics. When we saw the logline [a one or two sentence synopsis of a film or series] for the show, we knew right away it was going to be absolutely hilarious!
We pitched and demoed our ideas for the show, and we were over the moon when showrunners Matthew Inman (The Oatmeal) and Shane Kosakowski enjoyed what we wrote.
We were particularly drawn to the challenge of creating a score that captured the show’s epic, fun, and unpredictable Godly/Devilish nature. The chance to work on a project that combined comedy, action, and whimsy was incredibly appealing, as it allowed us to experiment and push our creative boundaries.
What was your creative process like, and how did you bring the show creator’s vision to life?
Shirley: First and foremost, we really zeroed in on the show’s sense of humor and all the comedic beats. We wanted to nail the timing—knowing exactly when the music should kick in and when it should take a step back. We found that using ‘serious’ music in key moments made the comedy even funnier, which was a fundamental part of our approach.
Jina: Our showrunners Matthew Inman, Shane Kosakowski and co-executive producer Brian Sheesley had great feedback every spotting/preview session. They’ve been working on the show for several years (much longer than us obviously) and had extremely helpful musical references and ridiculous, GENIUS ideas.
They were also very clear about what type of sound they loved and didn’t like, which was really helpful to speed up the process of crafting the sound palette for the whole Exploding Kittens universe.
Shirley and I are also extremely grateful that they trusted our instincts and created a space for us to really go all out on our approach. We definitely felt comfortable doing that and taking risks considering the nature of the show that is literally titled “Exploding”.
What kind of music inspiration did you look to to capture the essence of the series? And what were the most obscure elements of music you included?
Shirley and Jina: We drew inspiration from a wide range of musical genres—everything from epic orchestral pieces like Carl Orff’s ‘O Fortuna,’ to heavy metal, Bernard Herrmann’s dramatic scores, Enya’s ethereal vibes, and even Irish jigs, just to name a few!
We also had a blast recording some really unique sounds. We used upright bass and clarinet bends for the devil cat, added whistles for the North Canadian dictator scenes, and Jina played fiddle for the Cajun Flair scene with Shane and Chuggers. It was all about mixing it up and having fun with the music to capture the show’s hilariously unpredictable story lines!
You also worked on the show ‘XO Kitty’. Can you tell us more about this experience and what it means to be working on a major streaming platform series like this?
Shirley: ‘XO, Kitty’ is an incredibly fun show to write music for! With so many great K-Pop needle drops—shoutout to Lindsay Wolfington and Laura Webb, our awesome music supervisors—the score had to blend seamlessly with the pop elements. It’s definitely a different vibe from ‘Exploding Kittens’!
Our approach for ‘XO, Kitty’ focuses on crafting music that complements the vibrant, upbeat atmosphere of the series, making sure everything fits together sonically. It’s been an absolute blast to work on something so fresh and energetic!
Jina: It’s amazing to see people all around the world watch ‘Exploding Kittens’ and ‘XO, Kitty’ and reach out to us. My family are in Busan, South Korea, Shirley’s family are in Sydney, Australia. Because of the time differences, they would start watching the series before it releases in the US and it’s so amazing to see them get excited and talk about the shows with us from an audience perspective. We had fans from Korea reach out about a song we wrote in ‘XO, Kitty’, and random fans from all around the world. It’s all very exciting and I’m grateful that these shows have reached the global audience.
Jenny Han has created pretty much her own sub-genre with her uber popular books, movies and series. Can you talk about the power of seeing Asian-American representation behind the scenes, in an executive or creator role?
Shirley: Jenny Han is a huge inspiration! I really wish there had been movies, books, and shows with Asian-American leads like ‘XO, Kitty’ when I was growing up. Seeing a Korean-American like Jenny Han making such an impact is just so boss! It’s incredibly empowering to see someone from the Asian community achieving such success and bringing authentic representation to the forefront—it makes us feel seen, valued, and like we truly belong.
Jina: I’ve been a huge fan of the ‘To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before’ film series. It was one of those films I would watch over and over again and not get bored of. And that wasn’t just for me as a Korean but was a popular topic amongst almost everyone I had talked to. It’s extremely inspiring to see Jenny shine and become a role model to many creatives. Personally I look up to her a lot and still pinch myself that I got to work with her on ‘XO, Kitty’
There’s something quietly revolutionary about seeing more Asian creators on screen and behind the camera, being able to work on their creativity in a way that doesn’t have to always involve some sort of social justice narrative or action (although that’s not a bad thing!). Can you speak to this in relation to your own work?
Shirley: This broader representation lets us get creative without always sticking to a specific narrative or expectation. It’s awesome to bring our unique perspectives to projects like ‘Exploding Kittens’ and ‘XO, Kitty,’ and focus on the fun and inventive side of things. It just shows that our voices and experiences can shine in all sorts of storytelling.
Jina: More and more projects become incredibly personal and relatable thanks to this quiet and steady revolution. I went to an international school just like Kitty does in ‘XO, Kitty’. The environment is so familiar and exciting to think back to my middle/high school days. The songs we would listen to, the things I would talk about with my friends including the topic of sexuality. The Higgins family in ‘Exploding Kittens’ also gives a sense of familiarity as I am an Asian woman, just like Abbie, about to start a family here in the states. My children will grow up knowing that they are also part of this society. That is such a powerful feeling to have, feeling included.
Serious question – if you were both reincarnated as cats, can you give us a character breakdown of what you’d be like, and what you would do?
Shirley: If I were reincarnated as a cat, I’d be a round, pudgy kitty, just like in ‘Exploding Kittens!’ I’d be all about finding hidden treats and manipulating the humans to feed me more deliciousness! Will I steal chicken nuggets off your plate? YOU BETCHA! My goal would be to savor every bite. Keep those treats coming, human!!!!
Jina: Haha! I’ll probably be the one that never shows itself and sleeps 24/7 under a couch. One of those cats you wonder if they’re dead or not.
For any aspiring composer wanting to break into the industry but also stand out from the crowd, what advice would you both give?
Shirley: It’s definitely not an easy field to break into. You really have to have a deep, unwavering passion for film, music, and storytelling. When I decided to pursue film and TV scoring, I had no Plan B—this was it for me! So my advice would be to be confident in your abilities, but also stay humble. There’s always so much to learn, and it’s a continuous journey.
Keep working on your compositional skills, work on as many films, short films and projects as you can, and make sure you get your tech skills up too!
Be kind, work hard, stay open to new experiences, never stop learning, and most importantly, be patient. My dad always reminds me that this is a marathon, not a sprint. It takes time and persistence, but with dedication and a genuine love for what you do, you’ll find your way!
Jina: I 100% agree with everything Shirley said. Having a firm and strong root as to why you do what you do, so that with many trials and hardships you are able to stay firm and steady throughout the process. Every project is a new challenge but when the goal/purpose you look forward to is clear and strong, these become fun challenges and fulfilling. Each one becomes something you charge forward with excitement through, instead of an obstacle you run from.
You can see more of Jina An’s work on her website, and follow her on Instagram. Visit Shirley Song’s website to get familiar with her work, and follow her on Instagram. Watch both ‘Exploding Kittens’ and ‘XO Kitty’ on Netflix, out now!
