Netflix’s “KPop Demon Hunters” OST “Golden” Returns to No. 1 on UK Charts as Global Cultural Phenomenon Grows

Netflix’s animated series “KPop Demon Hunters” continues to expand its chart success and cultural impact as it solidifies its status as a global cultural phenomenon. According to the UK Official Charts on the 1st (Korean time), “Golden,” performed by the fictional K-pop girl group HUNTR/X featured in the series, topped the Official Singles Top 100 for the period from October 31 to November 6. Rising two spots from third place in the previous week, “Golden” overtook Taylor Swift’s new song “The Fate of Ophelia” to claim the top spot and held that position for a total of nine non-consecutive weeks on the UK charts. Alongside this track, another OST song titled “How It’s Done” reached No. 10, while “What It Sounds Like” landed at No. 13. TWICE’s “Take Down” also appeared on the chart at No. 92.

“The Golden”’s success is equally prominent on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, the main singles chart. The song held the top position for eight weeks in total, marking the first time in two years that a K-pop track reached the summit of the Hot 100 and the first time a song performed by a K-pop girl group achieved this milestone. As the title track of the animated series and a key element within the plot, “Golden” was written and composed by renowned K-pop producers such as Teddy, IDO, 24, and Lee Jae. Renowned Chinese producers also contributed by creating remix versions, showcasing international collaboration.

The series’ impact on Halloween culture in the United States is equally noteworthy. On the 31st (local time), “KPop Demon Hunters” sparked a huge trend during Halloween celebrations. Students at elementary schools and preschools across California dressed up as the series’ main characters Rumi and Mira to participate in Halloween events. Multiple girls dressed as Rumi could be seen in each classroom, and Rumi costumes became scarce in online stores and physical shops. Even among globally famous characters like Spider-Man, Snow White, and Mario, the characters from “KPop Demon Hunters” attracted the most popularity. The animated series is an action fantasy work that tells the story of K-pop superstars Rumi, Mira, and Joy acting as hidden heroes who protect the world behind the glamorous stage. Since its release on June 20, it has surpassed 300 million cumulative views, becoming the highest-viewed Netflix series in history and ranking first among all movies and series combined.

International film adaptation projects are also progressing actively. The English-language film “Perfect Girl” features May Hong, who portrayed Mira in the animated series, alongside Arden Cho, another cast member from “KPop Demon Hunters.” Additionally, K-pop star Jeon So-mi, Filipino-Canadian singer AC Bonifacio, Thai actor and singer Ally, Momoland’s Nancy, Billlie’s Siyoon, and Cherry Bullet’s Chaerin have joined the cast. Described as a thriller in the style of “Scream” and “BLACKSWAN,” the film focuses on the competition among K-pop supergroups fighting for four debut spots. Director Hong Won-ki is filming in Thailand alongside the Korean production company Zanybros, with six original songs including Jeon So-mi’s new track set to be included.

Musical inspiration related to the series is also spreading. The Portuguese rock band Portugal. The Man released an acoustic remake of “Golden” on Amazon Music. Lead singer John Gourley said, “I’ve been deeply immersed in K-pop recently, and ‘Golden’ kept appearing in my dreams. I’ve always loved the idea of arranging it with acoustic guitars and string instruments, and I’ve sung this version thousands of times.” The stripped-down version transforms the original pop production into a soft acoustic ballad, adding new meaning to the song. Portugal. The Man plans to embark on a tour by the end of the year alongside the release of their album “Shish.” According to Luminate data, the “KPop Demon Hunters” soundtrack exerted such strong influence that it accounted for approximately 43% of all K-pop streaming in the United States at the beginning of 2025.