Another Milestone for K-pop
"GOLDEN," the standout track from the Netflix animated film "K-Pop Demon Hunters," has made history by reaching No. 1 on the UK Official Singles Chart.
According to the UK Official Charts on August 1 (local time),
"'GOLDEN' has climbed to No. 1 on the Top 100 Singles Chart — the first K-pop song to do so in 13 years."
Official Charts CEO: "A New Milestone for K-pop"
Martin Talbot, CEO of the Official Charts Company, commented,
"With the film's soundtrack topping the Official Compilation Chart, it's incredible to see 'GOLDEN' also hit No. 1 on the singles chart."
The last time a K-pop artist topped the UK chart was in 2012, when PSY made global headlines with "Gangnam Style."
Talbot added,
"It's been 13 years since 'Gangnam Style,' and this is yet another defining moment for K-pop. It's now a cultural force as prominent as Oasis in the UK music scene."
First Animated Soundtrack to Top Since 2022
This marks the first time an animated film's OST has topped the UK Official Chart since "We Don't Talk About Bruno" from Disney's Encanto in 2022.
A Global Hit Sung by Virtual K-pop Stars
"GOLDEN" is performed in the film by the fictional girl group HUNTRIX, voiced by real artists:
- Lee Jae (former SM trainee & composer)
- Audrey Nuna (Korean-American singer)
- Rei Ami (Korean-American artist)
The song was co-composed by Lee Jae, Mark Sonnenblick, iDyo, 24, and TEDDY, blending powerful vocals with bold, empowering lyrics.
Viral Covers & Additional Chart Success
"GOLDEN" has sparked a viral cover challenge among top female K-pop vocalists, including Bada (S.E.S), Lee Hae-ri, Solar, Jung Eun-ji, Bang Min-ah, Ahn Yu-jin, Ailee, FIFTY FIFTY, and Park Hye-won.
Two more songs from the KDH soundtrack have entered the UK Top 20:
- "Your Idol" by SAJABOYZ debuted in the Top 10
- "Soda Pop" reached No. 11
K-Pop Meets Exorcism
K-Pop Demon Hunters is a fantasy action animation blending K-pop with supernatural exorcism themes. With its rich Korean cultural motifs and genre-bending charm, the film has gained explosive global popularity.
It currently holds the #1 spot among Netflix original animated films, with:
- 220.8 million cumulative viewing hours
- 132.4 million total views worldwide
