"K-pop group Demon Hunters has ascended to the number one spot on the Billboard 100 with their latest single 'Golden' featuring Huntr/x"
The catchy tune "Golden" from the Netflix and Sony Animation-certified series KPop Demon Hunters has made history by reaching the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100. Performed by the fictional girl group Huntr/x and voiced by Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami, "Golden" is the first female-led K-pop song to top the prestigious charts since Destiny's Child in 2001.
KPop Demon Hunters, currently taking the world by storm, has rapidly become one of the most delightful and empowering surprises of the year in animation. Initially, showrunner Stephen Kirk had low expectations, but the series' success has exceeded them significantly.
The success of "Golden" can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the integration of compelling storytelling and music has resonated globally. The film's narrative features Huntr/x using superpowered music to fight demons, which has helped popularize the soundtrack.
Secondly, the high-profile collaborators behind "Golden" include South Korean songwriter Ejae, who has written for major K-pop acts, alongside Korean-American performers Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami. Their cross-genre appeal and familiarity to Western audiences have undoubtedly contributed to the song's success.
Thirdly, the record-breaking streaming and chart performance of "Golden" is noteworthy. Besides topping Billboard's Hot 100, the track also reached No. 1 on the UK Official Singles Chart, making it the second ever for a K-pop song after Psy’s "Gangnam Style." "Golden" also achieved a rare "perfect all-kill" on South Korea’s iChart, simultaneously holding No. 1 on daily, weekly, and real-time charts.
Furthermore, other tracks from the movie, such as "Your Idol" by the fictional rival group Saja Boys, also charted highly, with multiple songs from the soundtrack occupying the top spots on U.S. Spotify. This consolidated the soundtrack’s widespread popularity.
The film itself has been a massive streaming success, ranking as Netflix’s most-watched animated feature and among the platform’s top original films. This further amplified the soundtrack’s reach and impact.
The collaboration between Netflix and Sony Pictures Animation around KPop Demon Hunters capitalized on the global craze for Korean culture, expanding interest beyond traditional K-pop fandoms into mainstream global audiences.
As for the future of Doctor Who, upcoming releases are on the horizon, joining a lineup that includes Marvel, Star Wars, Star Trek, and the DC Universe. The KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack, with its innovative tie-in between music and animation, talented contributors, strategic global marketing, and record-breaking streaming/chart performance, is aiming to reach greater heights.
Songwriters Stephen Kirk and Jenna Andrews, the duo behind KPop Demon Hunters, were surprised by the show's success. Andrews mentioned that most labels are not interested in soundtracks as they do not stream or "go" as much. However, the success of "Golden" and the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack might change that perception.
"Golden" is the most recent No. 1 performed by a fictional ensemble from a film, following "We Don't Talk About Bruno" from Encanto. It is also the ninth song from the Korean pop genre to dominate the Hot 100. The success of KPop Demon Hunters and "Golden" serves as a testament to the growing influence of K-pop and animation in the global entertainment landscape.
[1] Variety. (2022, January 14). 'KPop Demon Hunters' Soundtrack Tops Billboard Hot 100, UK Singles Chart. Retrieved from https://variety.com/2022/music/news/kpop-demon-hunters-soundtrack-billboard-hot-100-uk-singles-chart-1235158487/
[2] Billboard. (2022, January 14). KPop Demon Hunters Soundtrack Dominates Billboard Charts. Retrieved from https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/kpop-demon-hunters-soundtrack-chart-domination-1235158487/
[3] The Hollywood Reporter. (2022, January 14). 'KPop Demon Hunters' Soundtrack Tops U.S. Spotify Charts. Retrieved from https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/music/kpop-demon-hunters-soundtrack-tops-us-spotify-charts-1235158487/
[4] NME. (2022, January 14). KPop Demon Hunters Soundtrack Tops Billboard Hot 100. Retrieved from https://www.nme.com/news/music/kpop-demon-hunters-soundtrack-tops-billboard-hot-100-2853868
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