Netflix’s “KPOP Demon Hunters” Sparks Global frenzy; “Golden” tops Billboard for 8 weeks

Netflix’s animated film “KPOP Demon Hunters” became the biggest topic in the K-pop industry in 2025. Released in June, it set a record as Netflix’s most-watched film ever, and its influence spread even to global music charts. The OST track “Golden” reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for a total of 8 weeks. As the first K-pop song to dominate both major Western charts simultaneously, it accumulated 3.3 billion streams in the United States alone, creating a phenomenon where it was consumed just like traditional K-pop music. The group HUNTR/X also became the first K-pop act to top Spotify’s U.S. daily chart. The success of “Golden” goes beyond mere musical achievement. According to data from global streaming service Spotify, approximately 40% of people who first encountered K-pop after the release of “KPOP Demon Hunters” in June did so through this soundtrack. American entertainment market research firm Luminate reported that weekly streams of K-pop songs released in the U.S. over the past 18 months increased by about 14% following the release of “KPOP Demon Hunters.” The artists behind “Golden” are equally noteworthy. Members Lee Jae, Audrey, and Ray Aimi from HUNTR/X each reached the summit of the Billboard Hot 100 chart with this song. In particular, Lee Jae co-wrote the track alongside Teddy, Gyu Kwak, Yuhanri, Heedongnam, Junghoonsuh, and Mark Sonnenblick, earning it a nomination for a Grammy Award for Record of the Year. TWICE reached number 5 on the Hot 100 chart with “Strategy,” setting a new record for their longest and highest-charting entry. Jihyo, Jeongyeon, and Chae-young each made their debut on the Hot 100 chart in solo entries. A pop critic from a major outlet evaluated “KPOP Demon Hunters” as proof that K-pop has established itself as a universal cultural phenomenon worldwide, going beyond being merely a music genre. While noting that K-pop started as more than just a music genre but may no longer be seen as an ultimate goal, the critic added that this project demonstrates that K-pop has reached a stage where it needs fresh inspiration. The animation woven together the workings of Korean popular culture, including the idol system, fandom culture, music shows, and award ceremonies, into a single universe. The songs included in the OST spread through streaming and short-form video memes like TikTok, translating K-pop’s logic—where music, narrative, and fandom operate as one—into the language of global popular culture. Along with “Golden,” “Soda Pop” from the same album also appeared on Billboard charts, with songs by SATZBOYZ also ranking high. The success of “KPOP Demon Hunters” serves as evidence that K-pop became a true global sensation in 2025. 2025 was not a year when K-pop simply “arrived,” but rather a year when it “expanded” to a level that caught the world’s attention.