"Golden," the breakout hit from Netflix's animated film "KPop Demon Hunters," has made music history by climbing to the number one position on Billboard's prestigious Hot 100 singles chart. The song achieved this milestone by moving up one spot from its previous position, successfully overtaking Alex Warren's "Ordinary" to claim the top spot this week.
This achievement marks a significant moment in K-pop history, as "Golden" becomes the ninth Korean pop-associated song to conquer the Hot 100 chart and notably the first to feature female vocalists in the lead. The Billboard Hot 100, which ranks the most popular songs across all genres in the United States, determines its positions based on comprehensive data including streaming numbers, radio airplay, and physical sales.
The track demonstrated impressive commercial performance during the latest chart tracking period from August 1-7, generating 31.7 million streams, which represents a 9 percent increase from the previous week. Additionally, the song reached 8.4 million radio airplay audience impressions, marking a substantial 71 percent jump, while physical sales totaled 7,000 copies, reflecting a 35 percent increase from the prior week.
"Golden" is performed by the fictional girl group Huntr/x, which features in the Netflix original animated film. The group consists of three Korean American artists: Ejae, a composer who previously trained at the renowned SM Entertainment; Audrey Nuna; and Rei Ami. Notably, both Ejae and Rei Ami were born in South Korea before moving to the United States. The song's production involved industry heavyweights Teddy and 24, who are well-known for their work with major K-pop agency The Black Label.
Since its chart debut at number 81 in early July, "Golden" has demonstrated remarkable staying power and consistent growth. The song methodically climbed the charts over several weeks, moving from number 81 to number 23, then to number 6, followed by number 4, and number 2, before finally reaching the coveted top position. This steady ascent showcases the track's growing popularity and broad appeal among American audiences.
Among K-pop artists, only a select few have previously achieved number one status on the Hot 100. The globally successful boy group BTS holds the record with six chart-topping hits, including mega-hits "Dynamite" and "Butter." Individual BTS members have also found solo success, with Jimin's "Like Crazy" and Jungkook's "Seven" both reaching the summit of the chart.
"Golden" has set another historic precedent by simultaneously topping both the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and the British Official Singles Top 100, with the latter achievement occurring on August 1st. This dual-chart dominance demonstrates the song's international appeal and cross-cultural resonance.
The track has emerged as this summer's biggest K-pop sensation during a season that has been notably quiet in terms of major breakthrough hits. Music critics and fans alike were drawn to "Golden" early on, praising its irresistibly catchy melody and the refreshing, soaring high notes that showcase impressive vocal techniques. The song's infectious quality has made it a standout in an otherwise subdued period for K-pop releases.
The success of "Golden" has sparked a viral phenomenon known as the "Golden Challenge" throughout the K-pop community. This social media trend has seen numerous established female artists attempting to replicate the song's challenging high-note sections, which have become a benchmark for vocal ability. Participants in this challenge include an impressive roster of talent: Bada from the legendary disbanded group S.E.S., Lee Haeri from the duo Davichi, Solar from Mamamoo, Lily from Nmixx, Ahn Yu-jin from Ive, renowned vocalists Sohyang and Ailee, and singer-songwriter Kwang Jin-ah. This widespread participation has further amplified the song's popularity and cultural impact across the K-pop industry.
