Virtual K-Pop Group HUNTR/X Hits Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 with "Golden" - First Fictional Act to Beat BLACKPINK
A fictional K-pop girl group from Netflix's animated movie has just accomplished what real K-pop stars couldn't. HUNTR/X's "Golden" from "K-Pop Demon Hunters" jumped to No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100, making history as the first virtual K-pop act to crack the top 10.
HUNTR/X's "Golden" blasts 23-6 on the Hot 100 with 18.8 million streams - up 39% - 950,000 in airplay audience and 3,000 sold. This achievement surpasses BLACKPINK's highest Hot 100 position of No. 13 with "Ice Cream" featuring Selena Gomez in 2020.
The virtual group has also conquered the competition on both the Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. charts to become the biggest song in the world, marking another first for fictional artists.
Three Korean-American artists bring HUNTR/X to life:
EJAE voices main character Rumi. The former SM Entertainment trainee has written hits for Red Velvet, aespa, and TWICE. Her decade-long trainee experience that never led to debut has now resulted in global chart success.
Audrey Nuna performs as Mira, bringing her R&B background from Sony Music Entertainment to the virtual character.
Rei Ami voices rapper Zoey, known for her viral TikTok hit "Freak."
The "K-Pop Demon Hunters" soundtrack has become 2025's highest-charting soundtrack, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard 200. Seven songs from the movie's soundtrack appear on the Hot 100, with HUNTR/X claiming four spots and rival boy band Saja Boys taking two.
"Golden" becomes the first credited to a fictional act (HUNTR/X) to reach the top 10 in the Streaming Songs tally's 12-year history and the first animated film song to achieve this since Disney's "Encanto."
The Netflix film has reached top 10 in 93 countries since its June 20 release. The soundtrack achieved what industry publication The Hollywood Reporter calls "the largest streaming week of a soundtrack in two years."
HUNTR/X has now become the first female K-pop group to have a song top Spotify's US daily chart, a milestone that eluded established acts like BLACKPINK.
"Golden" proves that fictional characters can achieve mainstream success when backed by real talent and compelling storytelling. The song will be submitted for awards consideration, potentially opening new categories for virtual artistry.
The success challenges traditional boundaries between real and fictional entertainment, suggesting audiences connect with characters and music regardless of whether the performers physically exist. As streaming continues to dominate music consumption, "K-Pop Demon Hunters" demonstrates how animated content can generate authentic chart hits.
With Drake pushing his career total to 81 Hot 100 top 10s at No. 2 and a virtual K-pop group at No. 6, this week's Billboard Hot 100 perfectly captures how diverse today's music landscape has become.
