Soundtrack of K-pop anime continues historic run on Billboard charts

Participants revel at a festival themed after Netflix's hit anime "KPop Demon Hunters" in central Seoul on Sept. 14, 2025. Yonhap

SEOUL, September 16 (AJP) - One of the main theme songs from Netflix's hit South Korean anime "KPop Demon Hunters" stayed atop the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 singles chart this week, extending its streak on No. 1 for five weeks.

"Golden" from the anime's soundtrack, claimed the No. 1 spot on the chart for a fifth week, becoming the "sole longest-leading hit by an animated act in the chart's 67-year history," Billboard said Monday.

The song debuted at No. 81 following its release in late June and spent about 12 weeks on the chart before reaching No. 1 several weeks ago.

The catchy song, by South Korean-American singer-songwriter Ejae along with American singers Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami, went viral thanks to the popularity of the anime, which tells the story of fictional K-pop superstars with "secret powers to protect their fans from supernatural threats."

Along with "Golden," three other songs from the 12-track album like "How It's Done," "Soda Pop," and "Your Idol" also made the top 10.

The soundtrack for the 100-minute film directed by Korean American Maggie Kang also topped the Billboard 200 albums chart this week, achieving the milestone of reaching No. 1 on both of Billboard's main singles and albums charts.

It is the first time in nearly five years that a K-pop album and one of its tracks have simultaneously topped both charts, since K-pop juggernaut BTS achieved the feat in December 2020 with their album "BE" and its title track "Life Goes On."

AJP