HUNTR/X’s “Golden” has climbed to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, ending a 24-year gap since a girl group last led the chart. The historic moment follows Destiny’s Child’s 2001 hit “Bootylicious,” cementing the fictional act’s place in pop history.
The track, performed by EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and REI AMI, comes from Netflix’s animated hit KPop Demon Hunters. It also extends its reign atop Billboard’s Soundtracks chart for a seventh week.
A First for K-pop Girl Vocals on the Hot 100
“Golden” is the eighth K-pop-related song to top the Hot 100 but the first by female vocalists. It joins Jimin’s “Like Crazy” (2023) and BTS’s run of six No. 1 singles between 2020 and 2021. EJAE and REI AMI hail from Seoul, while Audrey Nuna is from New Jersey, adding an international dimension to the act’s success.
Fictional Bands, Real-World Records
HUNTR/X now joins the rare club of fictional acts with Hot 100 leaders, following Encanto’s “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” in 2022. Like “Bruno,” “Golden” comes from an animated film, with its singers voicing characters on screen.
KPop Demon Hunters has surged beyond the K-pop fanbase to become a global streaming powerhouse. Since its June 20 release, it has racked up over 130 million views on Netflix, making it the platform’s most-watched animated movie.
The Soundtrack Driving the Frenzy
The film’s music has been a major driver of its success, propelling both HUNTR/X and their fictional male counterparts, the Saja Boys, into the spotlight. The soundtrack’s appeal has spilled over into fashion, with influencers and cosplayers recreating the characters’ bold looks.
Topping Charts Worldwide
Beyond the U.S., “Golden” also claimed No. 1 on the UK’s Official Singles Chart. It’s the first Korean-language single to do so since PSY’s “Gangnam Style” in 2012, and the first by a girl group.
What’s Next?
While fans speculate about a sequel, Netflix has yet to confirm a follow-up. For now, HUNTR/X’s chart-topping success has secured them a place in pop culture history, even if their stage exists only in animation.
