In a year dominated by industry heavyweights, a fictional K-pop girl group from an animated Netflix film just made chart history. HUNTR/X’s “Golden” has reclaimed the number one spot on the UK’s Official Singles Chart for its ninth non-consecutive week, dethroning Taylor Swift’s “The Fate of Ophelia” and breaking a 56-year record previously held by The Archies’ 1969 classic “Sugar, Sugar.”
This isn’t just another viral moment—it’s a cultural shift proving that great music transcends its origin, whether from a recording studio or an animation studio.
HUNTR/X: Historic Achievement Explained
“Golden” now holds the record for the longest run at number one by any song from an animated artist on the Official Singles Chart. What makes this even more remarkable? The voices behind HUNTR/X—EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and REI AMI—are real artists portraying fictional characters Rumi, Mira, and Zoey in Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters.
Released on July 4, 2025, through Republic Records, “Golden” has topped charts in over 25 countries including South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States, while also reaching the top ten in over 30 additional territories. The song’s global domination reflects audiences’ hunger for authentic storytelling paired with irresistible pop production.
HUNTR/X “Golden”: Chart-Breaking Stats
| Achievement | Details |
|---|---|
| UK Chart Peak | No. 1 (9 non-consecutive weeks) |
| Record Broken | Longest-running No. 1 by animated artist (56 years) |
| Previous Record Holder | The Archies – “Sugar, Sugar” (1969) |
| Global Reach | No. 1 in 25+ countries |
| Billboard Global 200 | No. 1 for 13 weeks |
| Billboard Hot 100 | 8 weeks at No. 1 (first female K-pop group) |
| Korean Charts | Perfect All-Kill, most hourly PAKs record |
| Film Release | June 20, 2025 (Netflix) |
| Performed By | EJAE, Audrey Nuna, REI AMI |
| Label | Republic Records |
The KPop Demon Hunters Phenomenon
KPop Demon Hunters isn’t your typical animated musical. The film follows K-pop girl group Huntr/x, who lead double lives as demon hunters, facing off against a rival boy band whose members are secretly demons. Within the film’s narrative, the song represents the group’s attempt to create the “Golden Honmoon”—a permanent magical barrier against demons.
Critics have praised “Golden” as an “I Want” song in traditional musical structure, exploring the characters’ purpose while dwelling on lead character Rumi’s inner thoughts, particularly during the bridge that reveals she’s secretly half-demon.
The soundtrack’s success extends beyond “Golden.” The KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack placed four songs on the Official Singles Chart this week, with “How It’s Done” holding strong at No. 10, “What It Sounds Like” at No. 13, and TWICE members’ version of “Takedown” climbing back to No. 92.
Why “Golden” Resonates Globally
Universal themes with cultural authenticity: Billboard’s Jason Lipshutz described “Golden” as having “soaring melodies and chest-thumping inspiration,” functioning as both a “highly positive, musically undeniable piece of pop songwriting” and a “single-song representation of the KPop Demon Hunters phenomenon.”
Strategic songcraft: The track expertly balances upbeat pop sensibilities with emotional depth. While primarily in English, it incorporates strategic Korean phrases that resonate with K-pop fans while remaining accessible to global audiences.
Real talent behind fictional characters: Unlike many animated films that cast A-list celebrities regardless of vocal ability, KPop Demon Hunters chose actual recording artists. EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and REI AMI performed “Golden” live for the first time on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on October 7, 2025, proving the vocals aren’t studio magic—they’re genuine artistry.
Cross-platform domination: The BBC highlighted that HUNTR/X surpassed BLACKPINK as the highest-charting female K-pop group on the US Spotify chart, while the soundtrack became the first Netflix soundtrack to hit number one on Billboard’s Top Soundtracks since Stranger Things Season 4.
The Business Behind the Magic
The film’s soundtrack received Platinum certification from the RIAA in October 2025 and became the first film soundtrack on the Billboard Hot 100 to have four songs simultaneously in the top ten. This commercial success has triggered expansion plans including potential sequels, a television series, and even a stage musical.
Learn more about how animated films are reshaping the music industry on technosports.co.in.
Merchandise deals with Hasbro and Mattel, Fortnite character skins, and the singers’ upcoming performance at iHeartMedia’s Jingle Ball 2025 demonstrate how thoroughly KPop Demon Hunters has penetrated pop culture. According to the Official Charts Company, animated music hasn’t seen this level of mainstream acceptance since Disney’s Renaissance era.
What This Means for Animation and Music
“Golden’s” success challenges industry assumptions about animated content being exclusively for children. By combining sophisticated K-pop production with meaningful storytelling, KPop Demon Hunters appeals to teenagers and adults who grew up with animation but crave more mature narratives.
The song achieved a perfect all-kill in South Korea—the third song to do so in 2025—and later broke the record for most hourly perfect all-kills of all time. These aren’t children’s metrics; they’re markers of genuine cultural impact.
The film’s directors told People there are “so many unanswered questions, in a good way, and so many avenues that could be their own story,” hinting at franchise potential that could redefine how studios approach animated musicals.
The Live Experience
Despite performing fictional characters, EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and REI AMI have embraced their roles beyond the screen. Their appearance at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards and scheduled Jingle Ball performance show they’re treating HUNTR/X as a legitimate musical act, not just a marketing gimmick.
For fans wanting to experience the phenomenon, “Golden” is available on all major streaming platforms including Spotify, and the complete film streams exclusively on Netflix.
Looking Ahead
As “Golden” continues its historic chart run, the entertainment industry is paying attention. When an animated film’s soundtrack outperforms established superstars, it signals that audiences care more about quality and authenticity than traditional star power.
Whether you’re a K-pop enthusiast, animation lover, or simply someone who appreciates exceptional pop songwriting, “Golden” deserves its moment in the spotlight—and based on its trajectory, that moment isn’t ending anytime soon.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did a song from an animated film break a 56-year UK chart record?
“Golden” by HUNTR/X returned to number one on the UK’s Official Singles Chart for its ninth non-consecutive week (October 30 to November 5), breaking the record for the longest run at number one by any animated artist, surpassing The Archies’ “Sugar, Sugar” which held the record since 1969. The song’s success stems from multiple factors: exceptional production quality, real recording artists (EJAE, Audrey Nuna, REI AMI) voicing the fictional characters, a compelling narrative within the Netflix film KPop Demon Hunters, and strategic release timing that capitalized on the global K-pop boom. The song topped charts in over 25 countries and reached the top ten in over 30 additional territories, proving its appeal transcends the animated film genre.
What is KPop Demon Hunters and why is its soundtrack so successful?
KPop Demon Hunters is a 2025 American animated musical fantasy film on Netflix about a fictional K-pop girl group called HUNTR/X who secretly fight demons while maintaining their pop star careers. The soundtrack achieved unprecedented success, debuting at number eight on the Billboard 200 (highest soundtrack debut of 2025), receiving Platinum certification from the RIAA in October 2025, and becoming the first film soundtrack to have four songs simultaneously in the Billboard Hot 100 top ten. The success comes from authentic K-pop production values, hiring actual recording artists rather than just voice actors, culturally rooted storytelling by Korean-American director Maggie Kang, and music that works both within the film’s narrative and as standalone pop songs. “Golden” specifically functions as an emotional “I Want” song that explores character purpose while being musically strong enough to become a real-world hit.
