Netflix’s “KPop Demon Hunters” OST Dominates Billboard Chart, Continuing Global Surge

Netflix’s original animated series “KPop Demon Hunters” continues to achieve global success. The song “Golden,” performed by the female group HUNTR/X within the series, entered the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 for six consecutive weeks and retained its position at number 2 from the previous week. Notably, “Golden” reached number 1 on the UK Official Singles Chart, marking the first time a K-pop song has topped that chart in 13 years since Psy’s “Gangnam Style” in 2012. The success of “Golden” is evident in its streaming numbers as well. It recorded 28.9 million streams, a 13% increase from the prior week, securing first place in streaming metrics. Radio play saw a 31% rise to 4.9 million listeners, while sales increased by 19% to 50 million units. This surge is attributed to the remix released on the 25th of last month by DJ and producer David Guetta. Alongside HUNTR/X, the male group SAZABOYZ’s song “Your Idol” also climbed from number 12 to number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it the first time either track from the series entered the top 10. It was the third time in three years that two tracks from the same animated series simultaneously reached the Hot 100 top 10, the previous instances being the soundtrack for Disney’s “Encanto” in 2022. “KPop Demon Hunters” was produced by the U.S.-based studio Sony Pictures Animation, with Korean-American director Maggie Kang and producer Aaron Warner leading the project. Although Korean producers Teddy and 24 were also involved, it remains the first large-scale K-pop project conceived and produced outside of Korea. The industry views this as a signal marking the beginning of the “K-pop 4.0” era. Another distinctive feature is that all musicians who performed songs for HUNTR/X are Korean Americans. EJAE, who voices Rumi, was formerly a Trainee at SM Entertainment and is now a renowned K-pop composer; she is also the great-granddaughter of actor Shin Young-kyun. Audrey Nuna, who plays Mira, is an artist whose energy was recognized at the “2025 Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival” recently. Ray Aimi, portraying Joy, is a rapper and singer-songwriter skilled in various genres such as hip-hop and electronic music. The voices for SAZABOYZ were provided by Andrew Choi, a producer and composer from SM Entertainment who emerged from SBS TV’s audition show “KPop Star,” Danny Jung, a producer from The Black Label, Kevin Woo from U-KISS, Neukwave from ZEROX, and samUILee, who has contributed to SEVENTEEN and RIIZE albums. The animated series has gained enormous popularity globally. It ranks among the top-performing Netflix original animations, leading streaming rankings in over 33 countries worldwide, and accumulated 26 million views within just one week. Its setting features major locations in Seoul such as Seonggakgil, Bukchon Hanok Village, Namsan Tower, and Cheongdam Bridge, contributing positively to the spread of Hallyu and boosting tourism in Seoul. This success generates a ripple effect throughout the entire K-pop industry, going beyond mere music chart achievements. Apple TV+ in the U.S. is set to release the competition program “Kpopped” on the 29th of next month, where Korean groups reinterpret songs by global pop stars in a K-pop style. World-famous pop stars such as Spice Girls, TLC, Kylie Minogue, Boyz II Men, and Megan Thee Stallion will collaborate with groups like ATEEZ, ITZY, Kiss of Life, and Kep1er, resulting in American pop being reshaped by K-pop. Paramount Pictures is also working alongside HYBE America on producing K-pop-themed films. The expanding global influence of K-pop extends beyond the entertainment industry. With hopes rising for the lifting of China’s content restrictions, domestic entertainment stocks are attracting renewed attention. An analyst from Hana Securities noted that there is a high likelihood U.S., Chinese, and Korean leaders will meet at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit held in Gyeongju, Gangwon Province, at the end of October, and suggested that an end to China’s content restrictions could benefit the entertainment sector.