Golden climbed to the top of the Billboard HOT 100, setting a groundbreaking record for female-led K-pop songs. The track’s momentum came from soaring streaming counts, expanded radio airplay, and expert production by THEBLACKLABEL. Its triumph stirred debates about authenticity, yet many industry voices affirmed its deep Korean cultural foundation.
Golden Tops Billboard HOT 100 in Historic First for Female K-pop Vocals
Netflix’s animated feature K-Pop Demon Hunters has delivered a remarkable chart triumph with its original soundtrack “Golden.” The track surged to number one on the Billboard HOT 100, edging past Alex Warren’s “Ordinary” after climbing one position from the previous week. It is the ninth K-pop-related song ever to reach the chart’s summit, and the very first performed by female vocalists.
Golden Moves Up Billboard HOT 100 with Measurable Gains
Billboard’s HOT 100 rankings factor in U.S. streaming, radio airplay, and sales. “Golden” recorded 31.7 million streams, a 9% week-over-week increase. Radio audience impressions hit 8.4 million, marking a 71% jump, while sales grew 35% to 7,000. Since debuting at 81, the song steadily advanced to 23, 6, 4, 2, 2, and finally number one in its seventh week.
Golden and Billboard HOT 100 Success Fueled by Strong Artistic Roots
Within K-Pop Demon Hunters, “Golden” is performed by the fictional K-pop girl group HUNTR/X. The track features songwriter EJAE, along with Korean American singers Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami. EJAE and Rei Ami were both born in Seoul, while Audrey Nuna hails from New Jersey. Adding to its musical depth, THEBLACKLABEL oversaw the full music production of “Golden,” shaping its sound with a blend of Korean and Korean American creative talent.
Golden Achieves Rare Dual Triumph Across U.S. and U.K. Charts
On August 1, “Golden” also claimed the number one spot on the UK Official Singles Chart, joining its Billboard victory. Its addictive melody and soaring vocals resonated widely, making it the standout K-pop anthem in a summer without a clear seasonal hit. The combination of cinematic context, high-caliber production, and broad listener appeal helped it dominate across major markets.
Golden Meets Billboard HOT 100 as K-Pop Identity Sparks Debate
Following its Billboard HOT 100 victory, some Korean online communities questioned whether “Golden” qualifies as K-pop. Critics pointed to Sony Pictures Animation as the producer and Netflix as the distributor. However, director Maggie Kang, a Korean American, has affirmed the track’s K-pop identity. EJAE, born in Seoul and trained in Korea for over a decade, is the granddaughter of legendary Korean actor-politician Shin Young-kyun. The song’s production involved numerous Korean and Korean American contributors, especially from THEBLACKLABEL, underscoring its strong cultural and musical connection to Korea.
Political Undertones Behind the Challenge to Golden’s K-Pop Status
In Korea, some ethnic Koreans from China, known as Joseonjok, reportedly harbor resentment toward K-pop’s global success. They have sought to discredit K-Pop Demon Hunters and “Golden” as unrelated to Korea. Such arguments appear driven more by political motives than musical criteria. As the Korean saying goes, no one can block the sky with a palm—“Golden” remains firmly part of K-pop’s legacy.
Some critics questioned its legitimacy due to production and distribution origins, but its creators and industry experts firmly recognize it as K-pop.
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“GOLDEN” JUST GOT TO #1 ON THE BILLBOARD HOT 100! AMERICA JUST SEALED THE HONMOON! 😭🥳