‘HUNTR/X Golden’ from K-Pop Demon Hunters Tops Billboard Hot 100 and UK Singles Chart, Making K-Pop History

The original soundtrack Huntr/x Golden from Netflix’s animated film K-Pop Demon Hunters has reached No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, sweeping both the UK and U.S. singles charts — a rare achievement in K-pop history.

Billboard Confirms Historic Feat for a K-Pop Female Vocal Track

Billboard announced on August 11 (local time) that Golden climbed one spot from the previous week to overtake Alex Warren’s Ordinary and take the Hot 100’s top position. This marks the ninth K-pop-associated song to reach No. 1 and the first ever by female vocalists.

The Hot 100 ranks songs by combining U.S. streaming data, radio airplay, and sales. Golden recorded 31.7 million streams (up 9%), 8.4 million radio impressions (up 71%), and 7,000 sales (up 35%) during the latest tracking week. Unlike many K-pop hits driven by physical album sales or downloads, Golden’s chart-topping success came largely from streaming growth, signaling its broad mainstream appeal.

From UK to US: Dual Chart Domination

Earlier this month, Golden also topped the UK Official Singles Chart Top 100, making it one of the few tracks to simultaneously conquer both major English-language charts.

The song debuted at No. 81 on the Hot 100 in early July and climbed steadily: 81 → 23 → 6 → 4 → 2 → 2 → 1. This seven-week rise coincided with the film’s global popularity.

Behind ‘Golden’ and Its Creators

Performed by Huntress, a fictional K-pop girl group in K-Pop Demon Hunters, Golden was written and performed by EJAE (former SM Entertainment trainee), Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami — all Korean Americans. Jae Lee and Rae Ami were born in Seoul, while Audrey Nuna hails from New Jersey.

Cultural Impact and Viral Challenges

With its catchy melody and soaring high notes, Golden quickly became this summer’s standout K-pop hit. Its high-note section inspired the viral “Golden Challenge” among artists such as Bada (S.E.S.), Lee Haeri (Davichi), Solar (MAMAMOO), Lily (NMIXX), Ahn Yujin (IVE), Sohyang, Ailee, and Kwon Jin Ah.

The film’s success also boosted tourism to filming locations and Korean landmarks featured in the story, such as Namsan, Bukchon, and the Han River. The National Museum of Korea reported increased visitors, while the tiger and magpie characters from the movie became fan favorites.

Breaking Multiple Records

First female K-pop vocal track to top the Billboard Hot 100
First animated film soundtrack to reach No. 1 since We Don’t Talk About Bruno (Encanto, 2022)
First song by a group of three or more female vocalists to top the chart since Destiny’s Child’s Bootylicious in 2001 (24 years)

Before Golden, the only K-pop acts to reach No. 1 were BTS (six songs) and members Jimin and Jungkook (one each).