The original soundtrack “Golden” from Netflix’s animated film “KPop Demon Hunters” has achieved a remarkable milestone by reaching No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100. This marks a historic moment as it becomes the first track by a virtual K-pop artist to enter the top tier of this prestigious singles chart.
According to Billboard’s preview released on Monday, “Golden,” performed by the fictional girl group Huntrix, skyrocketed 17 spots from the previous week. The song garnered 18.8 million streams, a significant increase of 39% from the week prior, along with 950,000 airplay impressions and 3,000 digital downloads. Additionally, “Golden” topped both the Billboard Global 200 and Global Excl. US charts, making it the first virtual artist to achieve this feat simultaneously since the charts’ inception in 2020.
The soundtrack’s impact extends beyond “Golden.” Another track titled “Takedown,” featuring members of the popular K-pop group Twice, made its debut at No. 86 on the Hot 100.
Film and Soundtrack Success
“KPop Demon Hunters” is an animated musical that tells the story of Huntrix, a girl group that secretly combats evil spirits threatening humanity. The narrative unfolds through their rivalry with the demon-born boy group Saja Boys, revealing their dark origins throughout the film. Released by Sony Pictures Animation and available on Netflix since last month, the movie has quickly become a global sensation, topping Netflix’s film rankings and trending on social media platforms like TikTok. Fans have been actively engaging with the film, recreating choreography and sharing reactions, resulting in hundreds of millions of views.
The success of the film’s soundtrack is attributed to a top-tier production team. Notable producers, including Teddy Park, known for his work with Blackpink and Bigbang, along with Lindgren, a collaborator with BTS, contributed significantly to the album’s creation. Additional contributions came from composers such as Kush and Vince from The Black Label.
Award Consideration
Looking ahead, Netflix is preparing to submit “Golden” for consideration in the Best Original Song category at the upcoming Academy Awards. This move underscores the soundtrack’s critical and commercial success, positioning it as a strong contender in the awards circuit.
With its innovative approach and engaging content, “KPop Demon Hunters” not only entertains but also pushes the boundaries of what virtual artists can achieve in the music industry. The film and its soundtrack exemplify the growing influence of K-pop on a global scale, captivating audiences and setting new records in the process.
