Netflix’s “KPop Demon Hunters” Exceeds 300 Million Views; OST “Golden” Stays on Billboard Chart for 25 Consecutive Weeks

Netflix’s K-POP themed animation “KPop Demon Hunters” has become a new benchmark in the global entertainment industry. Released on June 20, 2025, it is the first overseas-produced animation centered around K-POP idols. Shortly after its debut, it surpassed 300 million cumulative views, setting a record for the highest-viewed series in Netflix’s history. The music accompanying the series achieved even more remarkable results. The OST title track “Golden” became the first K-POP song to top both the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Official Singles Chart. In the most recent chart released on December 17, it ranked fifth, continuing its streak of 25 consecutive weeks on the chart. “Golden” was recognized as one of the biggest hits of the year and remained at number one for 8 weeks. Meanwhile, the soundtrack album for “KPop Demon Hunters” has held the third position on the Billboard 200 main album chart for 25 straight weeks. The popularity of “Golden” extended even to international film festivals. Ahead of the 2026 Oscar ceremony, “Golden,” composed by EJAE and Mark Sonenblick, was nominated for Best Original Song, one of the most prestigious film awards. In addition, it received nominations at the Golden Globe Awards, Critics’ Choice Awards, and Grammy Awards, entering a multi-award race. The series’ success was also reflected in its marketing and fan engagement efforts. “Golden” was used in the campaign by New York City’s incoming Mayor Joran Maldani to encourage voting, demonstrating K-culture’s global influence. Furthermore, character balloons from the series appeared in the U.S. Thanksgiving parade, and “sing-along” screenings of Korean songs in American theaters sold out repeatedly, showing strong public enthusiasm. The series’ popularity also led to derivative projects. A formal game adaptation project titled “Idols of the Neon Dark: A 5E+ K-Pop Fantasy Adventure” was launched on Kickstarter within the D&D community. This project envisioned a 5E D&D adventure where K-POP idol warriors fight demons using rhythm, style, and heart in a “neon fantasy” setting. Upon release, it ranked among the top 5 most popular projects on Kickstarter. The success of the series is attributed to the meticulous musical composition by its creators. EJAE and Mark Sonenblick described blending pop and musical theater as extremely challenging, joking that only a genius could pull it off. Sonenblick stated, “There are many artists and executives who poured their hearts into this project. It’s clear that K-POP is popular, but the process was by no means simple. This was labor of love for something that wasn’t a huge IP, and the audience’s response and fans’ affection brought us here.” As people around the world became fascinated by highly Korean elements such as Hanyang Doseong, tigers and magpies, and Korean medicine clinics featured in the series, “KPop Demon Hunters” evolved beyond mere entertainment to become a catalyst that redefined K-culture’s global standing.