‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Makes K-Pop History On A Billboard Chart

For months now, “Golden” from the Netflix animated film KPop Demon Hunters has been on an incredible winning streak. The track was an immediate success on sales and streaming platforms when it was released earlier in 2025, and quickly became an all-around smash in the United States.

Radio usually follows sales and streams, and it took some time before DJs and programmers picked up the K-pop tune and put it into heavy rotation. But in the weeks since its adoption, “Golden” has become not just a hit, but a historic success story for the genre.

“Golden” is on the rise on most of Billboard’s airplay charts at the moment, and the song makes history on several tallies as it continues its ascent once more.

“Golden” Rises Into the Top 10 on the Adult Contemporary List

“Golden” steps up one spot on the Adult Contemporary list, one of the three pop radio–focused rankings published by Billboard every week. The KPop Demon Hunters blockbuster inches from No. 11 to No. 10, and while it only dances up (up, up) by one space, it is an important one.

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“Golden” Becomes the First K-Pop Top 10 Hit on One Chart

As “Golden” reaches No. 10, it becomes the first K-pop song to crack the top 10 on the Adult Contemporary list. The cut coincidentally breaks into the competitive region in its tenth frame on the roster.

KPop Demon Hunters Follows Blackpink Singer Lisa

The two K-pop tracks that have climbed highest on the Adult Contemporary list have both reached their peak positions this year, as 2025 has turned out to be huge for the style on the most conservative of the pop radio rankings. Only a few months ago, Blackpink singer Lisa sent “Moonlit Floor (Kiss Me)” to No. 15.

As it reached that spot, the solo affair passed four other tracks that all stalled at No. 15 and held the record of jointly claiming the honor of being the highest-rising hit of all time by a K-pop musical act. “Dynamite” by BTS, “Priceless” by Lisa and Maroon 5, “Apt.” from fellow Blackpink star Rosé and Bruno Mars, and “My Universe,” a collaboration between Coldplay and BTS, all peaked at No. 16 across several years.

“Golden” Nears No. 1 on Billboard’s Radio Chart

Over on the Radio Songs list, which includes all genres, “Golden” hits a new high as it lands at No. 2. No K-pop song has ever ruled the roster, and “Golden” is now the track that has come closest.

Last week, “Golden” was on the same level as “Apt.” from Rosé and Mars, which stalled at No. 4 during its run. In the coming weeks, “Golden” could shatter a record as the only No. 1 in the history of the Radio Songs from a K-pop musical act list if it can supplant “Mutt” by Leon Thomas, which is steady in first place.

KPop Demon Hunters Replaces Taylor Swift at No. 1

The high-energy song, which is credited to the fictional girl group Huntr/x as well as vocalists Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami, returns to the summit on the Pop Airplay list. “Golden” replaces Taylor Swift’s “The Fates of Ophelia” at No. 1, earning a third turn in the spotlight.

“Golden” is one of only two leaders in the K-pop space on the most competitive top 40 pop radio roster, as “Apt.” led the charge for five frames. As it reaches 20 weeks on the tally, “Golden” ties as one of the second-longest-running hits ever. “Dynamite” and “Butter” by BTS, as well as Fifty Fifty’s “Cupid,” also held on for 20 frames, and “Golden” will almost certainly pass all of them in only a matter of days.

“Golden” Keeps at Its All-Time Peak on Another Pop Radio Chart

While “Golden” advances on almost every radio list on which it can be found, the tune is steady on the Adult Pop Airplay chart, the third ranking that looks only at pop music and how it performs on the airwaves. “Golden” is comfortable again at No. 3, its all-time peak.

If the Golden Globe– and Grammy-nominated song can improve its standing by just one spot, it will match “Apt.” as the highest-peaking hit by K-pop musicians. There is even a chance that it could eventually soar all the way to No. 1, becoming the first tune from the K-pop genre to do so.

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