For the first time in its 67-year history, Golden from K-Pop Demon Hunters has reclaimed the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100.
On August 26 (KST), Billboard announced this week’s Hot 100 top 10 rankings, confirming that Golden climbed from No. 2 last week to reach No. 1. The track also simultaneously topped both the Billboard Global 200 chart and the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart.
The Billboard Hot 100 rankings are determined based on U.S. streaming data, radio airplay, and sales.
Billboard further highlighted, “K-Pop Demon Hunters has become the first soundtrack in 67 years of chart history to land four songs in the Hot 100’s Top 10,” pointing out Your Idol at No. 4, Soda Pop at No. 5, and How It’s Done at No. 10. Golden, which debuted on the chart last month at No. 81, steadily climbed to No. 23, No. 6, No. 4, and then No. 2, before ultimately reaching the top in its seventh week. Though it briefly dropped back to No. 2 last week, it has now returned to reclaim the throne.
Additionally, Golden achieved the remarkable feat of sweeping both of the world’s two leading charts: after hitting No. 1 on the U.K. Official Singles Chart Top 100 on August 1, it has now also secured the Billboard Hot 100’s top spot.
Golden is a track by the virtual K-pop girl group Huntrix. It was sung by former SM Entertainment trainee and songwriter Lee Jae, singer Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami—all Korean American artists. Billboard introduced them by noting, “Lee Jae and Rei Ami, the real singers behind Huntrix, were born in Seoul, South Korea, while Audrey Nuna hails from New Jersey.” Lee Jae also participated in writing and composing Golden.
On August 12 (KST), Lee Jae posted a screenshot of Golden reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, writing, “I’m at a loss for words. All I can do is cry. Thank you to everyone who has sent their love.”
Written by Yoon Sang Geun
Translated by Lee So Yun
