logo
Netflix's 'KPop Demon Hunters' soundtrack tops Billboard charts

Netflix's 'KPop Demon Hunters' soundtrack tops Billboard charts

The animated film KPop Demon Hunters has taken the music world by storm with its breakout hit Golden . The song recently claimed the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
This song, performed by the fictional K-pop girl group Huntr/x, blends Korean and English lyrics. It has become a symbol of this summer's musical breakthrough.
The track's success marks several milestones: it is the first number one in America by a female K-pop act and the first such hit outside of BTS's influence, according to Slate .
Golden has racked up nearly 32 million streams in a single week, an impressive feat that reflects the growing impact of K-pop globally.
As Korean co-director Maggie Kang explained, the film cleverly integrates music into its storyline rather than using it as mere filler.
The movie tracks the adventures of Huntr/x's members, who moonlight as demon hunters protecting humanity.
Alongside Golden , the film's soundtrack has produced multiple hit tracks. The fictional rival boy band Saja Boys' song Your Idol also reached the top ten on the Hot 100.
The album itself has climbed to number two on the Billboard 200 chart. This success forms a virtuous cycle with streaming, viewership of the movie on Netflix, and music consumption driving each other.
Ejae, one of the real artists providing vocals for Huntr/x and co-writing Golden , said, 'It feels like I'm riding a wave for the first time and a massive swell just hit.'
Netflix's KPop Demon Hunters has become its fourth most-watched film. There are talks underway for possible sequels, aiming to replicate the runaway success of Disney's Frozen.
The song's inspiring anthem, 'We're goin' up, up, up!', carries a message of empowerment and unity that resonates universally.
As Martin Talbot, CEO of the UK Official Charts, put it, 'this summer belongs to K-pop's stars.' They are increasingly challenging established norms and expanding their reach far beyond Asia.
The rise of Huntr/x and Golden is proof that new, imaginative forms of pop can unite diverse audiences, even in challenging times.
This is a story of musical innovation, global collaboration, and unexpected triumph born from animated imagination.
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Pearl Thusi, Happy Simelane, Penny Lebyane share to share their encounters on Netflix's 'Beauty and the Bester'
Pearl Thusi, Happy Simelane, Penny Lebyane share to share their encounters on Netflix's 'Beauty and the Bester'

IOL News

time29 minutes ago

  • IOL News

Pearl Thusi, Happy Simelane, Penny Lebyane share to share their encounters on Netflix's 'Beauty and the Bester'

Actress, presenter and businesswoman Pearl Thusi is one of the South African figures who feature in Netflix's new true crime limited documentary series, "Beauty And The Bester". Image: Supplied Netflix has released the trailer for a new true crime limited documentary series, 'Beauty And The Bester'. The limited series chronicles the dramatic rise and fall of Dr. Nandipha Magudumana, a celebrated celebrity doctor whose involvement with convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester sent shockwaves across the nation. Friends and family open up in exclusive interviews, each trying to make sense of the strange and unsettling bond between a respected doctor and her convicted criminal partner, Bester. The trailer shows: actress, DJ, presenter and businesswoman Pearl Thusi, 'The Mommy Club' reality TV star and businesswoman Happy Simelane and broadcaster and multi-hyphenate personality Penny Lebyane. Penny Lebyane, a South African media personality, was among several local celebrities who visited Magudumana's Sandton-based beauty business Optimum Medical Aesthetics Solutions. Image: Supplied/Netflix Lebyane, a South African media personality, was among several local celebrities who unknowingly visited the practice of the criminally-accused skin doctor. She has previously been featured on Showmax's "Tracking Thabo Bester. Magudumana was the owner of Optimum Medical Aesthetics Solutions, a Sandton-based beauty business. Model and TV personality Thusi had an encounter with Bester, the 'Facebook Rapist,' in June 2011 and almost became one of his victims. Simelane previously shared her experience meeting the criminal and claimed she was almost trafficked by him. On Showmax's 'The Mommy Club', Simelane showed videos of their meeting where Bester asked her to 'find people producing luxury content'. Happy Simelane previously shared her experience meeting the criminal and claimed she was almost trafficked by him. Image: Supplied/Netflix Once revered as a successful businesswoman and social media influencer with a seemingly perfect life, Magudumana's meticulously crafted image began to crumble amidst suspicions of her role in Bester's elaborate prison escape and his clandestine double life. The three-part series delves into the events of late 2023 that captivated South Africa, leaving the public to ponder: how did one of the country's most admired women become embroiled in one of its most significant criminal scandals? From staged celebrity conferences and lavish living to the shocking escape of Thabo Bester from Mangaung Maximum Security Prison, it all began to unravel with one viral photo of the pair casually shopping at Sandton City, sparking a nationwide manhunt that ended with their dramatic arrest in Tanzania and extradition back to South Africa in handcuffs. Disgraced celebrated celebrity doctor Dr. Nandipha Magudumana's father Zolile Sekeleni features on the documentary. Image: Supplied/Netflix 'Beauty And The Bester' features courtroom footage and never-before-seen investigative material that peels back the layers of a story where love, manipulation, and corruption collide, culminating in a jaw-dropping incident that stunned the world. The individuals include Marecia Damons, one of the journalists who broke the story and Magudumana's father Zolile Sekeleni. 'Beauty and the Bester' launches on Netflix on September, 12, 2025.

Lira feeling brand new and ready to share stage with Lauryn Hill
Lira feeling brand new and ready to share stage with Lauryn Hill

Eyewitness News

time15 hours ago

  • Eyewitness News

Lira feeling brand new and ready to share stage with Lauryn Hill

JOHANNESBURG - Award-winning artist Lira said every performance feels brand new as she prepares to share the stage with United States (US) star Lauryn Hill next month, marking a proud milestone in her journey back to music. Lira, whose real name is Lerato Moipone Molapo, is excited about her upcoming performance at the DStv Delicious Festival after recovering from a 2022 stroke that once left her unable to speak. Returning to the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit on September 20 and 21, this year's event will also feature Haitian rapper and singer Wyclef Jean and US rapper Don Toliver, among many others. Lira is filled with pride as she celebrates a significant milestone in her musical comeback. 'It's been a long time since I sang there, and I'm looking forward to it,' she said in an interview on Tuesday. After receiving treatment from what she described as 'the best medical team available,' Lira made her recovery and officially returned to the music industry in May last year. 'I'm also really appreciative. To live and then perform for others, they're the reason I'm here. You've helped us through difficult times, you've brought us happiness,' Lira said. Known for her genre-defying fusion of Afro-pop, R&B, and jazz, Lira has won eleven South African Music Awards (SAMAs). She also reflected on how her music became a form of healing during her recovery. 'I didn't know how I knew I would need my music, but I did. And nobody better wastes your time now,' she added.

Kairo Forbes' dream come true: a magical night with DJ Zinhle at Blackpink's concert
Kairo Forbes' dream come true: a magical night with DJ Zinhle at Blackpink's concert

IOL News

timea day ago

  • IOL News

Kairo Forbes' dream come true: a magical night with DJ Zinhle at Blackpink's concert

Mother-daughter duo, DJ Zinhle Jiyane and Kairo Forbes at Wembley Stadium in London. Image: Instagram Celebrity mums are dedicated to making their children's dreams come true. After a successful Zee Nation Festival, DJ Zinhle Jiyane flew to London with her daughter, Kairo Forbes. The mother-daughter duo travelled to The Big Smoke to attend Blackpink's concert at Wembley Stadium. Jiyane shared videos and pictures of their adventure on Instagram, expressing her joy at making this dream a reality for Kairo. 'I'm so grateful that I was able to do this for @ ❤️❤️,' she wrote. Blackpink is a popular South Korean girl group formed by YG Entertainment, consisting of four members: Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé and Lisa. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading In one of the videos, Kairo is seen with starry eyes, singing along to the K-pop group. To honour the girl group, Jiyane and Kairo wore pink and black outfits, with Kairo sporting a pink cowboy hat. Family and friends commented on their adventure on social media. @lamiez_holworthy remarked, 'Outside of the fact that you're such a cool mum, Ma'am, WHEN did Kairo get so big?! She's five times taller than you and such a gorgeous young lady. ❤️' @nottysibungo said, 'It's so wholesome to see you, bestie! You're juggling being a superstar with the biggest show, a businesswoman, a mummy, and a wife. 😍 Beautiful! I was going to ask what Gen Alpha is this artist filling up a stadium until I heard the song on slide 5, and I'm like, okay, it's everywhere in my house 😂😂. This is a dream come true; well done, bestie.' @thabs_theconnect added, 'Love this for her ❤️🥹 she is growing up so fast 😭😭😭😭.' Another user, @__roset commented, 'She will never forget this 😍😍😍.' At the beginning of the year, Kairo travelled with her grandmother, Lynne Forbes, to Turkey. Known for their strong bond and penchant for travel, their journey led them through the streets of Istanbul, exploring majestic landmarks and quaint markets. Glammy and Kairo also enhanced the cultural experience with their impeccable fashion sense, donning matching outfits that radiated style and vibrancy as they perused bustling local bazaars.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store