HUNTR/X and Saja Boys, the fictional K-pop groups from Netflix’s animated film “KPop Demon Hunters,” have taken the music world by storm. Despite being animated characters, their songs are topping global charts, surpassing real-life K-pop giants like BTS and BLACKPINK. The film, released on June 20, 2025, has become a cultural phenomenon, with its soundtrack dominating streaming platforms and breaking records.
How Fictional Groups Topped Real Charts
The film follows HUNTR/X, a girl group secretly fighting demons, and Saja Boys, a demonic boy band trying to sabotage them. Their music, created by top K-pop producers, has resonated with fans worldwide.
“Your Idol” by Saja Boys hit No. 1 on Spotify’s US Daily Top Songs chart, making them the highest-charting male K-pop group in US Spotify history, surpassing BTS .
“Golden” by HUNTR/X reached No. 2 on the same chart, outperforming BLACKPINK’s previous peaks .
The soundtrack debuted at No. 8 on the Billboard 200, the highest for any film soundtrack this year .
“We wanted the songs to feel like real K-pop hits while advancing the story,” said director Maggie Kang in an interview. “The fact that fans are treating these groups like real idols shows we succeeded.”
Global Streaming Domination
The songs are not just popular in the US—they are global hits:
- “Golden” peaked at No. 2 on Spotify’s Global Top 50, with over 104 million streams in a single day .
- “Your Idol” and “Soda Pop” also entered the Global Top 10, a rare feat for any artist .
- On Apple Music, the tracks ranked in the Top 25 globally, competing with stars like Billie Eilish and Bruno Mars .
The film’s success has led to Republic Records releasing “Golden” as an official single, with Netflix submitting it for awards consideration .
Why Fans Love These Fictional Groups
The movie’s unique blend of K-pop, fantasy, and animation has captivated audiences. Social media is flooded with fan art, dance covers, and theories about the characters. Some fans even engage in mock “fan wars” between HUNTR/X and Saja Boys supporters, mimicking real K-pop fandoms .
“This is cruel—so you mean this is it for HUNTR/X’s discography because they’re film characters?” wrote one fan on X. “I really wish they could keep releasing music!”
The Secret Behind the Music
The soundtrack features contributions from top K-pop producers, including:
- Teddy Park (BLACKPINK, BIGBANG)
- KUSH and Vince (THE BLACK LABEL)
- Lindgren (BTS collaborator) .
Songs were performed by real artists like EJAE, Audrey Nuna, Andrew Choi, and Kevin Woo (former U-KISS member), giving them an authentic K-pop sound .
Could They Become Real Virtual Acts?
With their massive popularity, some fans wonder if HUNTR/X and Saja Boys could debut as virtual idols. While Netflix hasn’t confirmed plans, the demand is clear. Past virtual groups like MAVE: and PLAVE show the potential, but sustaining long-term fandom remains a challenge .
Also read: HUNTR/X’s Hit Song “Golden” from “KPop Demon Hunters” Achieves Rare Perfect All-Kill in 2025
The film’s success has sparked talks of a sequel or spin-off series. For now, fans continue streaming the music, proving that even fictional K-pop groups can make a real impact.
Credits: Sources include NBC News, BBC, Korea Herald, Spotify Charts, and Variety.
