[September 29, 2025 / Billboard] — It’s official: HUNTR/X’s blockbuster hit “Golden” has secured its place in Billboard Hot 100 history, ruling the No. 1 spot for seven consecutive weeks.
The animated K-pop trio—EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and REI AMI—have stunned the global music industry with a soundtrack single from Netflix’s record-breaking film KPop Demon Hunters. The single first reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 earlier this summer and has refused to budge, cementing “Golden” as one of 2025’s defining pop anthems.
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Historic Billboard Chart Achievements
“Golden” is rewriting the rules of what an OST can achieve. Since the Billboard Hot 100 launched in August 1958, very few soundtrack singles have sustained such long reigns at the summit. With this week’s chart (October 4, 2025, tracking September 19–25), HUNTR/X joins an elite club:
- Film Soundtrack Milestone: Ties with UB40’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love” (1993) and Bryan Adams’ “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You” (1991), both of which spent seven weeks at No. 1.
- Female Group Legacy: Matches TLC’s “Waterfalls” (1995) for the second-longest female group No. 1 run, just behind Destiny’s Child’s “Independent Women Part I” (11 weeks, 2000).
- First for K-pop & Animation: “Golden” is the first K-pop–related female group single to top the Hot 100 and now the longest-reigning No. 1 for an animated group ever.
- Streaming Dominance: 33.8 million official U.S. streams (+5% week-over-week), maintaining No. 1 on Billboard’s Streaming Songs chart for 10 weeks straight.
- Radio Breakthrough: 33.9 million in radio airplay impressions (+11%), rising to No. 9 on the Radio Songs chart—the first time an animated group has cracked the Top 10.
- Digital Sales Boost: Climbed from No. 3 to No. 2 on Digital Song Sales, with 8,000 downloads sold.
- “Soda Pop” by Saja Boys jumped from No. 5 to No. 3, marking a new peak.
- “Your Idol”, another Saja Boys track, climbed from No. 6 to No. 5.
- For the fourth consecutive week, three songs from the same OST are simultaneously in the Top 5—a rarity in modern chart history.
- K-pop DNA: The song’s hook and dance challenge tap into K-pop’s viral playbook, fueling TikTok and Instagram Reels engagement.
- Emotional Resonance: EJAE’s soaring vocals, Audrey Nuna’s soulful undertones, and REI AMI’s playful delivery create a perfect balance of heartfelt emotion and pop accessibility.
- Narrative Tie-In: As the anthem for KPop Demon Hunters, the lyrics amplify the film’s themes of resilience and togetherness, turning casual viewers into repeat listeners.
- Bilingual Appeal: A seamless blend of English hooks and Korean verses maximizes global accessibility, appealing to U.S. radio while keeping K-pop authenticity.
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Streaming, Sales & Radio: A Three-Front Victory
Data from Luminate shows that “Golden” is not slowing down—it’s peaking:
This rare triple-threat success—streaming, airplay, and sales—is what solidifies “Golden” not just as a fandom hit, but as a mainstream American pop powerhouse.
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A Soundtrack That Refuses to Fade
The KPop Demon Hunters OST is building its own chart empire. Alongside “Golden,” multiple soundtrack singles are storming the Hot 100:
This mirrors iconic soundtrack eras like Frozen or Saturday Night Fever, yet KPop Demon Hunters adds a K-pop twist with virtual idols and hybrid storytelling.
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Why “Golden” Connects Globally
Analysts and critics alike are pointing to several key factors behind “Golden’s” unprecedented Billboard success:
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Beyond the Charts: The Future of HUNTR/X
Industry insiders are already asking: Can HUNTR/X surpass Destiny’s Child’s 11-week record? If momentum holds, “Golden” could challenge for the title of longest-running female group No. 1 in Billboard Hot 100 history.
Meanwhile, Netflix and the film’s producers are strategizing expansions: merchandise, concert tours with holographic performances, and even early buzz of a KPop Demon Hunters 2. The synergy between animation, K-pop, and Hollywood could set a new entertainment model.
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Cultural Impact
“Golden” is more than a chart record—it’s a global pop culture milestone. The success proves that virtual idols, OST-driven hits, and K-pop aesthetics can dominate Western charts. In an era where the Billboard Hot 100 reflects worldwide streaming behaviors, “Golden” is not just topping charts—it’s redefining them.
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Final Word
For fans, “Golden” isn’t just a song. It’s the soundtrack of 2025, the anthem of a new era where K-pop’s global wave merges with Hollywood storytelling. Seven weeks at No. 1 is proof of its brilliance—but the story is still unfolding.
HUNTR/X has gone from animated voices to real-world chart legends. And the world is watching to see how high “Golden” can climb.
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📺 Watch the Official Video
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