Netflix’s “KPop Demon Hunters” Sets All-Time High with 32.51 Billion Views; 8 OST Tracks Enter Billboard Simultaneously

Netflix’s animated film “KPop Demon Hunters” has achieved historic success. Released on June 20 of this year, the movie has accumulated 32.51 billion views, making it Netflix’s most-watched film in history. The film’s soundtrack has delivered even more remarkable results. Eight OST tracks entered the Billboard Hot 100 at the same time, a record unbroken by any animated music project to date. In particular, the lead track “Golden” topped the chart for 10 weeks and currently ranks second on the Billboard Hot 100, having stayed on the chart for approximately 20 weeks. Other tracks that made it onto the chart include “Your Idol” (13th), “Soda Pop” (18th), “How It's Done” (23rd), “What It Sounds Like” (30th), “Takedown” (36th), and “Free” (40th). “Golden” alone recorded 177 million streams in the United States during October. The success of the OST was also evident on the UK charts. As of November 28, “Golden” was ranked 6th on the UK Official Singles Chart Top 100, “How It's Done” was at 18th, and “What It Sounds Like” was at 20th. “Golden” remained on the UK chart for 23 consecutive weeks, topped it for 10 weeks, and achieved 27 million streams in the UK as well. The entire OST album held the number one spot on the Billboard 200 for multiple weeks. The film’s popularity extended to major cultural events. At the 99th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 27, Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami, who voiced the K-pop group HUNTR/X in the movie, performed “Golden.” Approximately 3.5 million viewers watched the parade via NBC and Peacock, with a total of 34 million people in the United States watching through broadcast or streaming. On November 29 of the same month, a special collaboration performance for “KPop Demon Hunters” took place at the Hong Kong Kai Tak Stadium during the “2025 MAMA AWARDS.” Actor Ahn Hyo-seop, who voiced the protagonist Jin-woo in the film, opened the stage with a moving narration. Ahyeon, Rora, and Pharita from BABYMONSTER perfectly transformed into members of HUNTR/X and performed “What It Sounds Like” and “Golden.” The three members replicated every detail from their hairstyles to their costumes, delivering an outstanding live performance. A digital artbook titled “The Art of KPop Demon Hunters,” which explores the creation process behind the film, was released. Produced in collaboration between Nucleus and Netflix, this 142-page book includes interviews with the film’s crew, early character sketches, research on demonology, and analyses of K-pop choreography, and it is available to everyone free of charge. A physical version will begin pre-sales on February 1, 2026, with deliveries starting on the same date. Director Maggie Kang explained the origins of the film in the artbook. She said, “Growing up by observing how Asian culture was portrayed in Western animations, I wanted Korean culture to be depicted in an animated film. I was inspired by a symbolic image of jeoseung saja from Korean mythology I saw as a child, which naturally led to the concept of demon hunters. I wanted to see more relatable female superheroes who possess real anxieties, rather than just those who are pretty, sexy, and cool.” Co-director Chris Appelhans added, “What’s amazing about K-pop in the modern world is its ability to cross cultural boundaries and bring people together through empathy. Creating myths that capture the truth about what this music does is powerful.” Netflix and Sony Pictures Animation have confirmed the production of a sequel, with the same directors (Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans) set to helm it. However, the sequel is not scheduled to release until after 2029, and the exact release date has not been determined yet.