Netflix’s “KPop Demon Hunters” Sees OST “Golden” Top Billboard Chart, Demonstrating K-Pop’s Global Impact

Netflix’s animated film based on K-Pop, “KPop Demon Hunters,” has set a new record for highest viewership within just 6 weeks of its release. According to Toom, Netflix’s top-10 tracking site, as of July 30, the series accumulated 220.8 million hours of viewing time, resulting in 132.4 million unique viewers when divided by runtime. This figure surpasses the 112 million viewers recorded by “Leo,” which was released in 2023 and reached this milestone in its 7th week. Ranking as the fourth highest-grossing Netflix film globally to date, the production was created by Sony Pictures Animation and has sparked a worldwide phenomenon since its release on June 20. The strength of the OST is particularly notable. The main theme song “Golden,” performed by HUNTR/X, first topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart on August 16. After entering the chart at position 81 on July 5, it rose to 23rd, 6th, 4th, and 2nd place before claiming the top spot after 7 weeks. The song achieved 31.7 million streams, 7,000 sales, and 8.4 million radio plays, and for six consecutive weeks, it held the record for the highest streaming count among all songs on the Hot 100. “Golden” became K-Pop’s ninth number-one hit on the Hot 100 and marked the first time a female singer’s song reached the summit. On the UK Official Singles Chart, “Golden” also topped the chart 6 weeks after its release on August 1. This marked K-Pop’s first number-one on the chart in 13 years since Psy’s “Gangnam Style” in 2012. Chart officials noted that “KPop Demon Hunters,” which has become a cultural phenomenon on Netflix, dominated the official chart. Other tracks from the OST, including “Your Idol,” reached position 10 on the UK chart, “Soda Pop” came in at 11th, and “Take Down” secured 63rd place. On Billboard’s main album chart, the Billboard 200, the OST remained in second place for two consecutive weeks. It recorded 100,000 album units during the most recent tracking period, representing a 7% increase from the previous week and once again setting a new high. Since entering the chart, the OST has consistently stayed in the top ranks, achieving three non-consecutive weeks in second place. Analysts attribute the film’s success to its faithful portrayal of K-Pop culture and Korean culture. The Seoul-set movie naturally incorporates elements such as public baths, Korean-style stew, and scenes depicting the royal family during the Joseon dynasty. Luminate, a data provider collaborating with Billboard, verified “Golden’s” chart performance through rigorous data validation processes. The Washington Post praised the film, stating that it “emerged at a crucial time when the K-Pop industry is growing, clearly showcasing and amplifying the appeal of K-Pop.” It further analyzed that the film helped drive the formation of an expanded fanbase that spans multiple generations and genders, going beyond the previously teen and female-focused K-Pop audience.