Netflix’s animated phenomenon “KPop Demon Hunters” is breaking data on extra than simply the display. “Golden,” the glittering, high-energy single from the movie’s fictional Okay-pop group HUNTR/X, has soared to the highest of the Billboard Scorching 100, marking a historic first for a female-led Okay-pop act.
The chart triumph comes on the again of 31.7 million U.S. streams, a 71% surge in radio airplay, and seven,000 items offered between Aug. 1–7, in keeping with Billboard. It additionally extends the observe’s reign on the Streaming Songs chart to a 3rd consecutive week whereas setting a brand new report because the Scorching 100’s biggest gainer in streaming for six straight weeks — a feat unmatched since Migos’ “Dangerous and Boujee” in 2017.
“Golden,” voiced by EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and REI AMI, isn’t simply one other film soundtrack minimize — it’s a fully-fledged Okay-pop powerhouse crafted with the precision, hooks and polish to face alongside the style’s real-world heavyweights. Co-director Maggie Kang has described the workforce’s mission as creating music that “legitimately match into the Okay-pop area,” and the outcomes communicate for themselves: this isn’t a novelty tune driving on a movie’s coattails, however a official pop contender dominating by itself deserves.
Its success additionally locations HUNTR/X in uncommon firm. The final fictional ensemble to say the Scorching 100’s prime spot was Encanto’s “We Don’t Speak About Bruno” in 2022, whereas the final all-female collective of three or extra members to take action was Future’s Baby with “Bootylicious” in 2001. On the earth of Okay-pop, “Golden” turns into solely the ninth observe tied to the style to prime the chart, becoming a member of BTS, Jung Kook, Jimin, and Psy within the elite membership.
The tune’s climb has been regular and dramatic: debuting at No. 81 on July 5, it cracked the High 10 inside weeks, pushed by fan enthusiasm, social media buzz, and viral choreography challenges. UK followers have embraced it simply as fiercely, pushing it to No. 1 on the Official Singles Chart — making it solely the second Okay-pop single to realize that feat after Psy’s “Gangnam Fashion” in 2012.
“Golden” will not be the one soundtrack minimize to seek out chart success. “Your Idol,” carried out by the movie’s in-universe rival boy group Saja Boys, landed at No. 8 on the Scorching 100 and likewise topped U.S. Spotify charts in July, briefly dethroning world juggernauts BTS and BLACKPINK.
“KPop Demon Hunters” itself has been a runaway hit for Netflix since its June 2025 launch. The fantasy-action musical, following a Okay-pop lady group moonlighting as demon slayers, is now the platform’s most-watched animated unique and second most-watched English-language movie of all time. Critics have praised its dazzling animation, infectious soundtrack, and genre-bending premise, incomes it a 97% “Licensed Recent” rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
With its twin success in streaming and music, trade insiders speculate Netflix could develop “KPop Demon Hunters” right into a multi-film franchise, echoing the trajectory of Disney’s “Frozen”. For now, although, “Golden” is having fun with its second within the solar, and rewriting the foundations of what a film soundtrack tune can obtain within the Okay-pop period.
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