Surging back to the pinnacle of UK music charts, “Golden” by KPop Demon Hunters has reclaimed the number one position on the Official Singles Chart for a fourth time, cementing its status as one of the year’s most resilient hits. The track achieved 23,831 units in its latest charting week, representing an 8.4% increase in consumption over the previous period, despite fierce competition from established artists.
Released on July 4, 2025, as part of the animated film’s soundtrack, “Golden” has become only the second number one single by a primarily South Korean act in the UK since Psy’s “Gangnam Style” topped charts in 2012. After first reaching the top spot two weeks ago, the song briefly lost its crown to Chappell Roan’s “The Subway” before making its triumphant return. The track features collaboration between Huntr/X, Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei, showcasing K-pop’s crossover appeal in Western markets. The song’s dominance extends beyond British shores, having reached number one in 14 countries including the United States and South Korea, while simultaneously topping the Billboard Global 200.
The broader KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack has enjoyed similar success, maintaining its position atop the Official Compilations Chart for eight consecutive weeks. This remarkable performance included breaking the record for most UK album streams in a single week with 18,631 streaming-equivalent sales, surpassing the previous record held by Barbie The Album at 17,681 streams.
Other tracks from the soundtrack have performed impressively, with “Soda Pop” and “Your Idol” both securing positions in the UK Top 10. Additionally, “Takedown” by TWICE reached number 35, marking the band’s highest UK chart position to date.
Republic Records has pursued an aggressive promotion strategy for “Golden,” releasing instrumental and acapella versions alongside the original track, while a David Guetta remix released on July 25 further extended the song’s reach across dance music audiences. The band has utilized multiple streaming platforms to maximize exposure, specifically leveraging playlist pitching opportunities on major services like Spotify and Apple Music. The group has also capitalized on sync deals by licensing their music for various commercials and video games, significantly boosting their revenue streams.
The soundtrack’s total consumption now exceeds 81,000 units in the UK, putting it on track for Gold certification, which requires 100,000 units.
Industry analysts note that the simultaneous success of the Netflix film and its soundtrack signals a potentially transformative model for media and music crossovers, particularly for introducing internationally-influenced content to Western audiences.
