Netflix’s “KPop Demon Hunters” OST “GOLDEN” Reaches No. 1 on UK Charts for First Time in 13 Years Since Psy in 2012

“GOLDEN,” the original soundtrack for Netflix’s animated film “KPop Demon Hunters,” has claimed the top spot on the UK Official Singles Chart’s Top 100. The track reached this position in its sixth week since its release last June, marking the first time K-pop has topped a UK chart in 13 years since Psy’s “Gangnam Style” in 2012. “GOLDEN” is a song by the fictional K-pop girl group HUNTR/X featured in the film, performed by Lee Jae, a former Trainee at SM Entertainment, American-Korean singer Audrey NuNa, and Lay. Notable K-pop producers such as Teddy from Double Black Label and 24 also contributed to its composition, and it includes Korean lyrics like “forever unbreakable.” In an interview with BBC Newsbeat, Lee Jae said, “I can’t believe this chart success is real. It feels like I’m about to go surfing for the first time when a huge wave approaches,” adding that his Instagram following grew by nearly 100,000 users within a month. The song received widespread praise from music fans around the world for its catchy melody and hopeful message. Lee Jae explained the track’s success by saying, “We live in an era that needs hope, and people are longing for that.” Martin Talbot, CEO of the UK Official Charts Company, described it as “a groundbreaking moment for the Korean genre that dominates the world.” The success of “GOLDEN” is evident across various charts. It reached No. 2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on South Korea’s Melon Top 100 chart, while the OST album “KPop Demon Hunters” landed at No. 2 on Billboard’s 200 chart. Other songs from the film, including “Your Idol,” reached No. 10 on the UK charts, “Soda Pop” at No. 11, and “TAKEDOWN” at No. 63. The film itself has also achieved record-breaking success. From its release on June 20 to July 29, it accumulated 228 million hours of viewing time on Netflix, setting the highest performance for any Netflix original animated film to date. It continued to grow, surpassing 26.3 million views in its sixth week after release. Driven by this success, Netflix is pursuing the creation of follow-up content. The company is considering various expansions such as a three-part animated trilogy, a live-action remake, a musical, and a TV series, along with merchandise plans that include toys, clothing, and accessories. A trademark application related to “KPop Demon Hunters” has been filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and is currently under review. The film depicts the dual lives of K-pop idol group HUNTR/X as they protect humanity from supernatural threats. It was produced by Sony Pictures Animation in the United States, directed jointly by Canadian-Korean director Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, with Korean actors such as Ahn Hyo-seop and Lee Byung-hun also participating.