The fictional K-pop girl group HUNTR/X has made history with their song “Golden” from the Netflix animated film “KPop Demon Hunters.” On July 14, 2025, the track became the third song in 2025 to achieve a perfect all-kill on South Korean music charts.
A perfect all-kill means the song reached No. 1 on all major Korean music platforms, including Melon, Genie, Bugs, YouTube Music, VIBE, and FLO, as well as topping iChart’s weekly ranking. Only two other songs have done this in 2025: IVE’s “REBEL HEART” and G-Dragon’s “TOO BAD” featuring Anderson .Paak.
How “Golden” Dominated the Charts
“Golden” is performed by real-life singers EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami, who voice the animated members of HUNTR/X in the film. The song serves as an empowerment anthem in the movie, where the girl group secretly fights demons while being global pop stars.
The track’s success comes from its catchy melody, powerful vocals, and emotional lyrics. It blends K-pop energy with a theatrical musical style, making it stand out. The song was produced by top K-pop hitmakers, including Teddy Park (BLACKPINK’s producer) and Lindgren (BTS, TWICE).
“We wanted ‘Golden’ to feel like a real K-pop hit, something that could compete with the biggest songs out there. It had to be explosive but also tell a story,” said Ian Eisendrath, the film’s executive music producer.
The Rise of “KPop Demon Hunters” Soundtrack
The “KPop Demon Hunters” soundtrack has been breaking records since its release on June 20, 2025. It debuted at No. 8 on the Billboard 200 and later climbed to No. 2, making it the highest-charting animated film soundtrack since “Encanto” in 2022.
Other songs from the album, like “Soda Pop” (by the fictional boy group Saja Boys) and “Takedown” (featuring TWICE members), have also been streaming hits. The soundtrack earned 96.33 million streams in one week, the most for any movie soundtrack in over three years.
Why “Golden” Connects with Fans
The song’s lyrics talk about dreams, self-acceptance, and fighting inner demons, which resonates with listeners. In the film, it plays during a key scene where the characters hope to “turn the moon golden”—a symbol of defeating evil.
“The bridge in ‘Golden’ shows Rumi’s loneliness. She’s struggling with her identity, and the song shifts from upbeat to dark for a moment. That contrast makes it special,” Eisendrath explained.
Fans have embraced the track, with many calling it a “summer anthem.” On Spotify, “Golden” entered the Global Top 10, while on Melon, it stayed at No. 1 for days.
What’s Next for HUNTR/X and the Soundtrack?
With the song’s success, Republic Records released “Golden” as a standalone single on July 4, 2025, along with instrumental and a cappella versions. The soundtrack will also get physical releases, including CDs in August and vinyl records in October.
The film continues to trend on Netflix, and its music is gaining more attention worldwide. As “Golden” keeps climbing charts, it proves that even fictional K-pop groups can make a real impact.
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