KPop Demon Hunters is making waves not just on screen, but also across global music charts. The animated film, which centers around a girl group juggling their secret identities as demon hunters while chasing stardom, has captivated audiences and driven an unexpected surge in music streaming. Seven songs from the film have climbed the Billboard Hot 100, signaling a rare crossover success for an animated feature.
At the forefront of this chart dominance is Golden, a track by the fictional boy band HUNTR/X, which made an impressive leap from number 81 to 23. This jump reflects the song’s explosive popularity following the film’s release on Netflix. The success continues with Your Idol, which climbed 46 spots to reach number 31 in its second week. Another standout track, Soda Pop by the fictional Saja Boys, currently holds the 42nd spot.
Other songs from the soundtrack include HUNTR/X’s What It Sounds Like, debuting at number 55, Free by Rumi and Jinwoo at number 58, and Takedown, holding strong at number 64. The film’s entire soundtrack has also been climbing, now standing at number 3 after previously sitting at number 8, confirming its growing global traction. Notably, Your Idol is also trending in the top spot on Spotify, reinforcing its cultural resonance beyond the screen.
What’s even more striking is that Saja Boys, one of the fictional bands in the film, has now surpassed real-world K-pop giant BTS on Spotify, securing the second position—a feat that underscores just how seriously fans are taking the music despite its fictional origins.
In terms of viewership, KPop Demon Hunters has broken new ground as well. The film maintained an exceptionally high retention rate, with only a 6.2% drop in viewership by its third week, a rare figure for any animated release on streaming platforms.
As the buzz continues to grow, so does speculation about a sequel. The film’s directors hinted that there’s more story left to tell. Speaking with Shine On Media, they acknowledged that the film’s 85-minute runtime forced them to condense a large concept into a limited frame, resulting in a number of unresolved plot points. Co-director Chris Appelhans expressed enthusiasm about exploring more of the universe, suggesting that the world of KPop Demon Hunters is rich with untapped stories.
For now, both fans of K-pop and animated storytelling seem united in their demand for more from this vibrant, genre-blending phenomenon. Whether it’s through future films, music releases, or spin-offs, KPop Demon Hunters is no longer just an animated feature—it’s a full-fledged pop culture event.