The continuous success ofKPop Demon Huntersis creating a whole new wave of interest in the world of K-Pop and Korean culture. As Netflix’ssecond most-watched moviein the platform’s history,the film and its soundtrack show no signs of fading anytime soon.
Since its release on June 21, 2025,KPop Demon Hunterssaw fame and virality with movie andmusiclovers alike. The former shared the film with their peers and enjoyed additional content on YouTube, while the latter streamed songs from the soundtrack in a way far too familiar to that of BTS' ARMY (their official fan base).
Nearly two months later, the film and its fictional K-Pop groups continue to find new fans and reach new milestones that place them alongside their real-life counterparts.
HUNTR/X Continues To Achieve Real-Life Success
The storyline of HUNTR/X feels like anoverdue celebrationof K-Pop’s most influential girl groups. Although the details about defeating demon boy groups aren’t entirely factual, anyone familiar with the industry is certain to notice similarities here and there to idols like BLACKPINK’s Jennie or ITZY’s Yeji. “Golden” is the song that ties the group’s narrative together.
It’s their hopeful final blow to the negativity they’re fighting to rid their world of, something that many artists strive for. For the past seven weeks, theKPop Demon Hunterssoundtrack remained solid atNo. 2 on the Billboard 200. Now, after Alex Warren’s “Ordinary” held out for 26 weeks,HUNTR/X’s “Golden” proudly sits atop the Billboard Hot 100.
Despite the fictional nature of the group,HUNTR/X is just the second K-Pop group to top this prestigious chart. All the remaining eight No. 1 entries are from BTS, as a group, as soloists, and in three collaborations. They’re also the second fictional act to top the chart, withEncanto’s “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” doing the same in 2022.
Below is a list of every K-Pop song to reach No. 1 on the Hot 100.
“Permission to Dance”
“Golden”
The Key To A No. 1 Girl Group Hit? Trios & Summer Releases
Perhaps the biggest detail about this achievement is what it means forgirl groupsas a whole.Exactly 24 years ago this same week, Destiny’s Child hit No. 1 on the Hot 100 with “Bootylicious,” making HUNTR/X the first girl group to reach No. 1 since 2001.
There aren’t many immediate similarities between the two, but they both identify as a trio and both tracks dropped in late spring/early summer, steadily rising on the Hot 100 until they finally reached the top in August. This accomplishment is promising for those tired of the pressure often placed on a new release’s debut week.
Sometimes a song sticks with listeners or gains even more listeners as time goes on. Rather than place all the stress of a new single or album’s success on its first week, it’s time to realize thatlongevity is something to strive for as well, especially in such a fast-paced world.
