'KPop Demon Hunters' HUNTR/X makes history as ‘Golden’ hits No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100

This marks the first no. 1 for a female K-pop artist ever as well as for a girl group since Destiny's Child in 2001.


Pop Culture & Art August 12, 2025 1 min read
Photo: Netflix

HUNTR/X’s "Golden" has reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, making the group the first all-women collective of three or more members to top the chart in 24 years, since Destiny’s Child’s "Bootylicious" in August 2001.image.png

The aspirational track, voiced by EJAE, Audrey Nuna and REI AMI, comes from the soundtrack to the hit animated Netflix film KPop Demon Hunters.

It marks the first Hot 100 leader for the group and female K-pop act and the ninth song linked to Korean pop to top the chart. Previous No. 1s in the genre include BTS’s six chart-toppers between 2020 and 2021, along with "Seven" by Jung Kook featuring Latto and "Like Crazy" by Jimin in 2023.

"Golden" also becomes the first Hot 100 No. 1 by an act with a fictional background since "We Don’t Talk About Bruno" from Disney’s Encanto, which reigned for five weeks in 2022.

During the tracking week of 1–7 August, the single earned 31.7 million official streams in the United States, up 9% from the previous week. It also registered 8.4 million radio airplay audience impressions, a 71% increase, and sold 7,000 downloads, up 35%.

The track continues to lead the Billboard Soundtracks chart for a seventh week, solidifying its chance at winning the Oscar for the Best Original Song category for which is has been submitted as a contender.

In a rare move for a Netflix release, KPop Demon Hunters will also head to cinemas later this month. Select Regal Theatres will host sing-along screenings on August 23 and 24, marking the first widespread theatrical release of the film. 

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