HUNTR/X’s single “Golden” has made history by reaching the top position on Billboard’s Adult Pop Airplay chart, as of January 31. This milestone marks the first time a song associated with Korean pop has achieved this ranking. Previously, the song “APT.” by ROSÉ and Bruno Mars peaked at No. 2 in the same category last April.
The single is featured in Netflix’s animated film, KPop Demon Hunters, which has garnered significant attention this year. “Golden” previously dominated the Pop Airplay chart for three consecutive weeks starting in November and topped the all-format Radio Songs chart for one week earlier in January. The track has spent a remarkable eight weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, from mid-August to mid-October, and has led the Billboard Global 200 for 18 weeks. It also holds the record for 20 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart.
Success of KPop Demon Hunters’ Soundtrack
In addition to “Golden,” the new radio single “How It’s Done” from KPop Demon Hunters is making waves, climbing from No. 40 to No. 37 in its second week on the Pop Airplay chart. Both tracks are performed by the trio of EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and REI AMI, who voice the characters Rumi, Mira, and Zoey in the film. The movie’s soundtrack, released through Visva/Republic, held the No. 1 position on the Billboard 200 for two weeks and has maintained its presence in the top 10 for over 30 weeks. It has also dominated the Soundtracks chart for 28 weeks and became the first soundtrack to achieve four simultaneous entries in the Hot 100 top 10.
“Golden” has been described as a defining moment in pop music. Alex Tear, Vice President of Music Programming for SiriusXM and Pandora, noted that the song resonates due to its immediate familiarity and emotional impact. “There’s that immediate familiarity and big emotion that just hits,” he commented on the track’s success.
REI AMI expressed her excitement when “Golden” hit No. 1 on the Hot 100, saying, “Up, up, up.”
Acknowledgment and Awards
In addition to its chart success, “Golden” received the Golden Globe for Best Original Song – Motion Picture on January 11. The song is also nominated for Song of the Year among four nominations at the upcoming 68th Annual Grammy Awards on February 1. Furthermore, it is set to compete for Best Original Song at the 98th Academy Awards on March 15.
The Billboard charts dated January 31 will be updated on February 27. With these achievements, HUNTR/X and “Golden” are solidifying their place in the evolving landscape of K-Pop and global music.
