Netflix is pushing KPop Demon Hunters into the awards race, officially submitting its breakout track “Golden” for consideration. The animated film, released on June 20, follows the story of Rumi, Mira, and Zoey—members of the fictional K-pop girl group Huntr/x—who use their musical talents to battle soul-eating demons and protect their fans. Produced by Sony Pictures Animation, the movie quickly garnered massive attention, racking up 9.2 million views in its debut week and jumping to 24.2 million in the second. It secured a place in Netflix’s Top 10 list across all 93 tracked countries and reached the No. 1 spot in 33 of them, including major markets such as South Korea, Brazil, Mexico, France, and the Philippines.
One of the film’s defining features is its music, and “Golden” has emerged as the standout hit. Republic Records is set to release the song as an official single on July 4, including three versions: the original, an instrumental, and an a cappella. The track has driven the movie’s soundtrack to debut at No. 8 on the Billboard 200—the highest debut for any soundtrack in 2025—and helped propel Huntr/x to the top spot among female groups on Spotify for daily streams. The album has also become the most-streamed project on the platform daily.
“Golden” is performed by EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and REI AMI, with songwriting credits going to EJAE and Mark Sonnenblick. The production team includes 24, Ido, Teddy Park, and Ian Eisendrath. The track has become the most-streamed song from the film’s album and tied for the highest-charting song by a female K-pop group in U.S. Spotify history, peaking at No. 3. It also entered the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 81 and has experienced a 2000% increase in streams on Apple Music since its release.
Composer Ian Eisendrath shared that “Golden” was the sixth song written for the movie and that it was crafted not only to entertain but to advance the plot. He emphasized the importance of songs in film doing narrative work, and in this case, “Golden” plays a pivotal role in a major moment. In the story, Huntr/x performs the song while sealing the Golden Honmoon, a magical barrier to protect against demonic forces. During the emotional bridge, the audience learns that Rumi is part-demon, as her arms reveal glowing markings. This moment deepens the narrative, revealing internal conflict and setting the stage for the film’s climax. Eisendrath explained that the bridge is not just a musical highlight, but a crucial turning point in the story, filled with emotion, tension, and vulnerability.