Netflix Animation “KPop Demon Hunters” Creates Global Phenomenon… OST “Golden” Ranks No. 1 on Billboard for 8 Weeks

Netflix’s original animation “KPop Demon Hunters” has sparked a worldwide phenomenon. Since its release, the series has set a new record for the highest viewership among Netflix’s original productions. It is a fantasy animated series that depicts K-pop girl group HUNTR/X fighting evil spirits through music, and it has evolved beyond mere entertainment to become a global cultural phenomenon. The strongest indicator of this success is the outstanding performance of its original soundtrack. The main track “Golden,” performed by EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami, held the top spot on both the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Official Singles Chart for eight consecutive weeks. This song has been submitted to two of the Grammy Awards’ most prestigious categories—“Record of the Year” and “Song of the Year”—in competition with other tracks aiming for the highest honors. It is also considered a strong candidate for up to four additional Grammy categories, including Best Music Video, Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, Best Remixed Recording, and Song Written for Visual Media. Alongside the “KPop Demon Hunters” album “KPop Demon Hunters,” “Golden” is regarded as a top contender for Album of the Year. The success of these OST tracks extends beyond music charts. The sing-along version of the film, which premiered in the United States last August, achieved remarkable results by generating box office earnings of between $17 million and $18 million (approximately 238 billion to 252 billion won) within just two days. As a result, Netflix is relaunching the sing-along version in major theater chains across the U.S., including around 400 AMC theaters, from October 31 to November 2 to coincide with Halloween. This marks the first time in several years that AMC, the world’s largest theater chain, has shown a Netflix film, signaling the establishment of a new partnership model between the two companies. Along with the news of these theater screenings, another notable aspect is the dominant presence of characters from “KPop Demon Hunters” in the Halloween costume market. According to Google’s official Halloween trend tracking platform, Frightgeist, the characters from this series have topped the North American costume rankings. Rumi, the leader with purple dreadlocks, took first place, followed by Joy in second and Mira in third—members of HUNTR/X dominating the top spots, with more than half of the top 10 costumes being based on these characters. This level of enthusiasm is compared to the “Squid Game” phenomenon of 2021. Official costumes produced in collaboration between Netflix and Halloween specialty retailer Spirit Halloween have sold out in multiple sizes online, while fan-made DIY costumes have surged on platforms like Amazon and eBay. Meanwhile, director Maggie Kang and co-director Chris Appelhans have rejected proposals to adapt the series into a live-action version. In an interview with BBC, Director Kang stated that “animation has a unique charm that only it can deliver” and added that “a live-action adaptation would lack realism and is not something she favors.” Appelhans also said, “The greatest advantage of animation is its ability to freely combine elements that are impossible in reality to create new visual experiences,” noting that “a live-action version would limit that imagination.” However, it is reported that they are actively considering producing a sequel. “KPop Demon Hunters,” which demonstrated new possibilities for K-pop in the music video genre, is now being considered as a major candidate for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. By expanding into multiple areas such as global streaming, theater re-showings, costume trends, and Grammy competition, this series has become a multifaceted cultural phenomenon, serving as a symbolic example of K-pop’s rise to the center of global popular culture beyond being merely a music genre.