In just over a month, “Golden,” the record-breaking hit from KPop Demon Hunters, will mark its first anniversary. The track was released as a single on July 4, 2025, a few weeks after the animated film it’s from debuted on Netflix. This strategic move proved prescient as the film quickly transcended expectations to become the platform’s most-watched project of all time.
“Golden” was serviced to radio and, remarkably, continues to be a dominant force in the American music landscape, even nearly a year after its release, having garnered both Grammy and Oscar accolades. This week, the song, attributed to the fictional girl group Huntr/x and featuring vocalists Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami, climbs to a new peak on one of Billboard’s primary pop radio charts, nearing the top spot.
“Golden” Nears the Number One Position
After 34 weeks on the Adult Contemporary chart, “Golden” has achieved a new peak position. The electropop track advances from number 3 to number 2, missing the top spot by a single position. The sustained popularity of “Golden” is particularly noteworthy, especially considering that the Adult Contemporary chart is known for its gradual shifts in airplay rankings.
Alex Warren Prevents “Golden” from Reaching Number One
Alex Warren’s “Ordinary” is the sole track preventing the K-pop hit “Golden” from ascending to the number one position on the Adult Contemporary chart. Warren’s breakout single has now held the top spot for an impressive 30 weeks. This makes “Ordinary” the fifth-longest-running number one song on the chart, trailing only Miley Cyrus’s “Flowers” (57 weeks), Teddy Swims’ “Lose Control” (49 weeks), Maroon 5’s “Girls Like You” (36 weeks), and The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights” (35 weeks).
“Golden” Propels K-Pop to Unprecedented Chart Heights
“Golden” has held the distinction of being the most successful K-pop song in the history of the Adult Contemporary chart for several months. It is the only track on the chart performed partially in Korean or by an artist primarily associated with K-pop. Should “Ordinary” eventually relinquish the top position, “Golden” could become the first K-pop song to reach number one. Prior to KPop Demon Hunters, Lisa’s “Moonlit Floor (Kiss Me)” held the previous record for a K-pop artist, reaching number 15, surpassing hits from BTS and Blackpink’s Rosé.
“Golden” Maintains a Top 10 Presence on Radio
Although “Golden” has cycled off the highly competitive Pop Airplay chart, it continues to be a staple on the Adult Pop Airplay list. In its 42nd week on this tally, “Golden” holds steady at the number 4 position, indicating its enduring popularity and continued presence in radio rotation.
“Golden” Continues Strong Sales Performance
“Golden” also maintains a significant presence on Billboard’s global charts, the Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. As expected, the K-pop track performs better on the latter, which excludes U.S. sales, currently sitting just outside the top 10 at number 15, down from number 10. The Billboard Global 200 sees a more pronounced drop, moving from number 13 to number 28. Notably, “Golden” shows renewed strength in sales, climbing from number 20 to number 15 on the Digital Song Sales chart.
Business Style Takeaway: The sustained success of “Golden” demonstrates the growing global appeal and commercial viability of K-pop artists and related media properties within the mainstream Western market. This enduring popularity, even after significant awards and a year on the charts, highlights the potential for cross-cultural entertainment phenomena to drive long-term revenue and brand recognition.
Based on materials from : www.forbes.com