On August 11 (local time), Billboard announced that Golden climbed from No. 2 to No. 1, overtaking Alex Warren’s Ordinary. The Hot 100 ranks songs based on a weighted formula of U.S. streaming, radio airplay, and sales. This week, Golden posted 31.7 million streams (up 9%), 8.4 million radio audience impressions (up 71%), and 7,000 sales (up 35%).
Performed by the fictional K-pop girl group Huntr/x from the K-Pop Demon Hunters from the Netflix animated film K-Pop Demon Hunters, the track features vocals by Korean-American artists EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami —all of whom have roots in K-pop training or the wider music industry. Billboard highlighted that EJAE and Rei Ami were born in Seoul, while Audrey Nuna hails from New Jersey.
Since debuting at No. 81 on the Hot 100 last month, Golden steadily climbed—moving through positions No. 23, No. 6, No. 4, and No. 2 (holding there for two weeks) before hitting No. 1 in its seventh week. The only other K-pop acts to have topped the chart before were BTS and its members Jimin and Jungkook.
The song’s global impact extends beyond the U.S. On August 1, Golden also reached No. 1 on the UK Official Singles Chart Top 100, making it a rare feat of topping both of the world’s two biggest pop charts. The last time an animated film’s OST topped the Hot 100 was Disney’s Encanto in 2022, and the last time a song by a female group with three or more members claimed the No. 1 spot was Destiny’s Child in 2001 — 24 years ago.
EJAE not only provided the singing voice for Rumi but also participated in writing and composing “Golden.” On social media, she expressed her overwhelming emotions: “I can’t think of what to say. I just keep crying. Thank you to everyone who sent me love.”
Released on June 20, K-Pop Demon Hunters tells the story of idol group Huntr/x battling evil spirits with music, blending Korean landmarks like Namsan Seoul Tower, traditional hanok houses, and the grim reaper into its narrative. Produced by Sony Pictures Animation, the studio behind Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, the film has received widespread acclaim.
Alongside Golden, the in-universe boy group Saja Boyz found success with their track Sodapop. The Golden Challenge has gone viral on social media, with stars such as Bada (S.E.S.), Lee Hae-ri (Davichi), Solar (MAMAMOO), Lily (NMIXX), An Yu-jin (IVE), So Hyang, Ailee, and Kwon Jin-ah taking part.
Since release, K-Pop Demon Hunters has become Netflix’s most-watched animated film globally, topping the category’s charts. In its seventh week, it has accumulated 264.6 million viewing hours and 158.7 million views, making it the fourth most-watched Netflix Original film of all time.
Sources: Nate
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