Netflix's fictional K-pop group Huntr/x has achieved what no other K-pop girl group — real or virtual — has done before: reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Their track "Golden," from the animated film KPop Demon Hunters, is now the first Hot 100 chart-topper by a female K-pop act, ending a 24-year gap since Destiny's Child's "Bootylicious" in 2001.
The milestone is backed by impressive numbers. In the week of August 1–7, "Golden" amassed 31.7 million streams, 7,000 sales, and 8.4 million radio airplay impressions. Internationally, the song holds the No. 1 position on Billboard's Global 200 and Global Excl. U.S. charts and has topped rankings in South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK.
Huntr/x — comprised of members Rumi, Mira, and Zoey — is voiced by Arden Cho, May Hong, and Ji-young Yoo, with vocals from Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami. The song was produced by K-pop veteran Teddy Park, ensuring "Golden" carries the sonic polish and energy fans associate with the genre.
KPop Demon Hunters has already become Netflix's second most-watched animated original, surpassing 180 million views. Capitalizing on the success, Netflix will host sing-along screenings in theaters across the U.S., Canada, and UK on August 23–24, giving fans a concert-like experience on the big screen.
While fans are debating whether "Golden" fits the mold of "traditional" K-pop due to its limited Korean lyrics, many agree its chart-topping success marks a major moment for the genre's global reach. Huntr/x has transformed an animated soundtrack into a genuine music industry milestone, showing that the boundaries between fiction and reality in K-pop are becoming more fluid than ever.
What do you think — is "Golden" truly K-popping, or is it something new entirely? Share your thoughts in the comments below and join the conversation.
