Golden surpasses BTS's Dynamite as a record K-pop hit
- 'Golden' continues to climb multiple Billboard charts, including a debut on the Dance/Mix Show Airplay list.
- The K-pop track has surpassed BTS's 'Dynamite' to become the second-longest-running K-pop leader.
- 'Golden' is a symbol of the growing influence of K-pop in mainstream music.
In September 2025, the song 'Golden' from the 'KPop Demon Hunters' soundtrack has made significant waves in the American music scene, achieving remarkable success on the Billboard charts. The track has spent four nonconsecutive weeks at the top of the Hot 100, making it the second-longest-running K-pop leader in Billboard history, right after BTS's song 'Butter'. This achievement signifies a major milestone as 'Golden' surpasses BTS’s earlier single 'Dynamite', which had previously enjoyed a similar three-week reign. The K-pop genre continues to expand its footprint on mainstream music platforms, showcasing the growing influence of female K-pop groups on the charts. Furthermore, 'Golden' not only topped the Hot 100 but also emerged victoriously on several other Billboard charts, including the Streaming Songs and Digital Song Sales rankings, contributing to its overall popularity. It climbed to a peak position of No. 24 on the Radio Songs tally, marking a significant rise as more radio stations began to play the song. The race towards the top has also seen 'Golden' featured on nine Billboard charts during this period, reflecting its widespread appeal and commercial viability. The track is credited to the fictional girl group Huntr/x as well as the actual vocalists Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami who voiced the characters in the K-Pop Demon Hunters movie. This project encapsulates the intersection of film and music, creating a character-driven narrative that resonates with fans. In addition, this week saw 'Golden' making its debut on Billboard’s Dance/Mix Show Airplay chart, thus becoming one of only three songs by K-pop girl groups to achieve this. The presence of 'Golden' alongside Blackpink's track 'Jump' indicates a growing recognition of female representation in K-pop on American radio stations. This moment serves to highlight the evolving landscape of the music industry where K-pop continues to break down barriers and challenges traditional notions of music consumption in the West.