HUNTR/X’s “Golden” claims the Hot 100’s top spot, marking a historic first for a female-led K-pop act and Netflix’s biggest animated hit yet.
HUNTR/X’s "Golden" has climbed its way to the top of the Billboard Hot 100, claiming the group’s first No. 1 hit. The track comes from the Netflix animated hit KPop Demon Hunters, and features the voices of EJAE, Audrey Nuna and REI AMI.
If you're unfamiliar with KPop Demon Hunters, it is now Netflix's most watched animated film with 158 million views and counting. It released on June 20, 2025. The film satirizes modern celebrity culture, fan obsession and the idol industry all while serving up some truly brilliant tracks.
My personal highlight was "Soda Pop" by rival demon band the Saja Boys, who are like a K-pop boy band dialed up to 1000. Everything you love and hate about how addictive the music genre is. However, it's HUNTR/X's Golden and the whole soundtrack that are breaking records.
HUNTR/X’s “Golden” hits No. 1 and makes K-pop history
It's the first song from an animated film to reach #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 since "We Don't Talk About Bruno" from Encanto in 2022. What a classic. Now arguably it might not be as magical for some as League of Legends Worlds anthems, but it's hard to deny how catchy Golden is.
HUNTR/X are also the first female trio to top the Hot 100 in 24 years according to Billboard. The last group to do so was Destiny's Child with their song "Bootylicious" which reigned at #1 for two weeks in August 2001.
To land on the Billboard Hot 100, a song needs serious U.S. streaming numbers, strong radio spins, and solid sales all in the same week.
The YouTube video for HUNTR/X's "Golden" currently has a staggering 164 million views and over 51,000 comments.
Meanwhile, the full KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack has been dominating the Billboard Hot 100 Soundtrack charts, ranking #1 for the last 6 weeks in a row.
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Other K-pop No. 1 Hits on the Billboard Hot 100
Golden by HUNTR/X i is only the 9th K-pop song ever to hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, with six of the last eight all coming from the universally adored BTS.
- “Seven” – Jung Kook (featuring Latto) – 2023
- “Like Crazy” – Jimin – 2023
- “Savage Love (Laxed – Siren Beat)” – BTS with Jawsh 685 and Jason Derulo – 2020
- “Dynamite” – BTS – 2020
- “Life Goes On” – BTS – 2020
- “Butter” – BTS – 2021
- “Permission to Dance” – BTS – 2021
- “My Universe” – BTS with Coldplay – 2021
Even if you roll your eyes at demon-slaying K-pop idols, good luck getting "Golden" out of your head.
