HUNTR/X’s ‘Golden’ Tops the Billboard Hot 100, Marking Major Milestone for K-pop Soundtrack Music

HUNTR/X’s ‘Golden,’ a track from the soundtrack of the popular animated Netflix film *KPop Demon Hunters*, has ascended to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking the act’s first chart-topping hit. The song is particularly significant as it is the first Hot 100 No. 1 by female lead vocalists, including EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and REI AMI. The track’s success also makes it the ninth K-pop-associated song to top the chart. ‘Golden’ has proven its staying power, leading the Billboard Soundtracks chart for seven consecutive weeks. This achievement is historic, as it is the first Hot 100 No. 1 from a fictional act since the ensemble song ‘We Don’t Talk About Bruno’ from *Encanto* (2022). The track also sets a new record in streaming, becoming the Hot 100’s greatest gainer in streaming for six weeks in a row. In addition, Chappell Roan’s ‘The Subway’ made an impressive debut at No. 3 on the Hot 100, marking her career-high rank. The overall Hot 100 chart this week saw several shifts, with Alex Warren’s ‘Ordinary’ holding steady at No. 2, and Morgan Wallen’s ‘What I Want’ slipping to No. 4.