Virtual K-Pop Group HUNTR/X "Golden" Hits #2 Billboard Hot 100, Makes UK Chart History
Netflix's "KPop Demon Hunters" soundtrack creates global phenomenon as fictional girl group breaks multiple chart records
"Golden" by virtual K-pop group HUNTR/X has surged to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking the highest position ever achieved by a fictional musical act. The track from Netflix's animated film "KPop Demon Hunters" simultaneously broke barriers across multiple international markets.
HUNTR/X's "Golden" became the first K-pop song to top the UK Singles Chart in 13 years, following PSY's "Gangnam Style" in 2012. The song jumped four places to claim the No. 1 position, demonstrating the global reach of the virtual K-pop phenomenon.
"Golden" became "the first song by an all-woman group to lead the Streaming Songs chart since it began in 2013" with 25.7 million streams. The track also topped both the Billboard Global 200 and Global Excl. U.S. charts, establishing HUNTR/X as the first fictional act to achieve this milestone.
The song's rapid ascent began in July when it debuted at No. 81 on the Hot 100, climbing to No. 23, then No. 6, No. 4, and finally its current No. 2 peak.
HUNTR/X represents fictional characters Rumi, Mira, and Zoey from "KPop Demon Hunters," with vocals performed by EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami. The film's concept features K-pop groups whose performances battle supernatural threats.
The "KPop Demon Hunters" soundtrack now has nine songs on the Hot 100, including tracks from both fictional groups HUNTR/X and Saja Boys, plus real K-pop group TWICE.
The "KPop Demon Hunters" soundtrack reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200 with 75,000 equivalent album units, becoming 2025's highest-charting soundtrack. The album logged 96 million on-demand official streams - "the biggest streaming week for a soundtrack in more than three years".
The Saja Boys tracks "Your Idol" and "Soda Pop" also achieved significant chart success, with "Your Idol" reaching No. 3 on the Global 200.
Beyond the US and UK, "Golden" topped charts in Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan. In South Korea, the song "became the third to achieve a 2025 perfect all-kill" and reached No. 1 on the Digital Chart.
Republic Records released a David Guetta remix and submitted "Golden" for awards consideration. The label described "Golden" as an "I Want" song in traditional musical film structure, balancing narrative storytelling with mainstream pop appeal.
"KPop Demon Hunters" premiered on Netflix on June 20, 2025, and quickly became a cultural phenomenon, proving that fictional K-pop acts can achieve real-world commercial success comparable to established artists.
The continued success of "Golden" represents a new paradigm where virtual musical content transcends entertainment boundaries to achieve authentic chart dominance globally.
