Virtual K-pop Group HUNTR/X Dominates Billboard Charts with 8 OST Tracks Entering Simultaneously

The original soundtrack for Netflix’s animated series *KPop Demon Hunters* continues to perform strongly on the U.S. Billboard main singles chart, the Hot 100. According to the latest chart released on the 15th (local time), “Golden” performed by the K-pop girl group HUNTR/X from the series reached position 6, with a total of 8 OST tracks entering the singles chart at the same time. “Golden” climbed 17 spots compared to the previous week, while “Your Idol” by the boy group SAZA BOYZ, who compete against HUNTR/X in the show, rose 15 places to land at position 16. HUNTR/X’s “How It's Done” improved its ranking by 13 spots to reach position 29, and SAZA BOYZ’s “Soda Pop” saw a rise of 14 spots to position 35. Additionally, the duet song “Free” by HUNTR/X’s Rumi and SAZA BOYZ’s Jinwoo reached position 41, and HUNTR/X’s “What It Sounds Like” finished at position 43. Both a version of “Takedown” performed by HUNTR/X and a version sung by the girl group TWICE’s Jeongyeon, Jihyo, and Chaeyoung made it onto the chart. The HUNTR/X version entered for the second consecutive week at position 51, while the TWICE version debuted on the singles chart at position 86. The *KPop Demon Hunters* OST album also rose one spot on Billboard’s main albums chart, the Billboard 200, to secure position 2. Billboard noted that despite the release of new music from global pop stars such as Drake and Justin Bieber, the *KPop Demon Hunters* OST is one of the most notable cultural phenomena in the summer music market. “Golden” also topped Billboard’s Global chart (excluding the U.S.) and the Global 200 chart, marking the first time a virtual artist has reached the summit of the Billboard Global chart. It is a historic achievement as a virtual group has claimed the top spot on both charts since these charts were established in 2020. BLACKPINK’s Rosé continued to have two duet songs on the Hot 100, following her performance last week. Her song “APT.” featuring pop star Bruno Mars remained on the chart for the 38th consecutive week at position 30, while her duet “On My Mind” with American singer-songwriter Alex Warren reached position 76.