Golden (Huntr/x song)
{{Use American English|date=July 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2025}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Golden
| cover = Huntr-x - Golden.png
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Huntr/x
| album = KPop Demon Hunters
| released = {{start date|2025|7|4}}
| recorded =
| genre = Pop
| length = 3:09
| label = Republic
| writer = {{hlist|Ejae|Mark Sonnenblick}}
| producer = {{hlist|24|Ido|Teddy|Ian Eisendrath}}
| chronology =
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| next_title =
| next_year =
| misc = {{Extra chronology
| artist = KPop Demon Hunters
| type = single
| prev_title = Takedown
| prev_year = 2025
| title = Golden
| year = 2025
| next_title =
| next_year =
}}{{External music video|{{YouTube|yebNIHKAC4A|"Golden"}}|header=Lyric video}}
}}
"Golden" is a song performed by Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami as the fictional K-pop girl group Huntr/x in the 2025 animated musical fantasy film KPop Demon Hunters. It was released on July 4, 2025, through Republic Records, as the second single from the film's soundtrack album.
"Golden" received generally positive reviews from critics for its lyrics and catchy composition. In addition to the overall success of the film's soundtrack, the song reached number one on the Billboard Global 200 chart and charted in more than 20 countries, placing first in Malaysia and among the top ten in Australia, Germany, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, and the United States.
Background and release
The animated musical fantasy film KPop Demon Hunters was released on Netflix on June 20, 2025. The film follows the fictional K-pop girl group Huntr/x, consisting of members Rumi, Mira, and Zoey, whose singing voices are performed by Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami, respectively.{{Cite magazine |last=Milligan |first=Mercedes |date=April 24, 2025 |title=Sony's 'KPop Demon Hunters' Cast, Music Roster & Netflix Premiere Date Revealed |url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/2025/04/kpop-demon-hunters-cast-music-roster-date-revealed/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250530173433/https://www.animationmagazine.net/2025/04/kpop-demon-hunters-cast-music-roster-date-revealed/ |archive-date=May 30, 2025 |access-date=May 23, 2025 |magazine=Animation Magazine}} The film's accompanying soundtrack album was released on the same day, with "Golden" as the fourth track.{{Cite web |last=Zachary |first=Brandon |date=June 20, 2025 |title=KPop Demon Hunters Soundtrack Guide: Every Song & When They Play |url=https://screenrant.com/kpop-demon-hunters-soundtrack-song-guide/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250625041210/https://screenrant.com/kpop-demon-hunters-soundtrack-song-guide/ |archive-date=June 25, 2025 |access-date=June 20, 2025 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}}
Following the song's success, Republic Records officially released it as a single on July 4, 2025, along with an instrumental and acapella version. It was also announced that "Golden" would be submitted for awards consideration.{{Cite magazine |last=Stephan |first=Katcy |date=July 3, 2025 |title='KPop Demon Hunters' Will Submit Original Song 'Golden' For Awards Consideration (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2025/film/awards/kpop-demon-hunters-golden-original-song-awards-1236446931/ |access-date=July 3, 2025 |magazine=Variety |language=en-US}} Billboard noted that "following the soundtrack's second-week streaming explosion, Republic hustled to have 'Golden' impact top 40 radio stations on" July 8, 2025.{{Cite magazine |last=Lipshutz |first=Jason |date=July 8, 2025 |title=How 'KPop Demon Hunters' Conquered the Summer — And What's Next for the 'Pop Culture Phenomenon' |url=https://www.billboard.com/culture/tv-film/kpop-demon-hunters-music-soundtrack-golden-1236016162/ |access-date=July 8, 2025 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}} Republic Records Chairman Jim Roppo stated that they were also in discussions on "potential remixes of" the song "with some 'A-list remixers' in play".
Lyrics and composition
In the film, "Golden" introduces the idea of the Golden Honmoon, through which the principal characters work to protect the world from demons by sealing their universe off from the supernatural beings. The album's executive producer Ian Eisendrath described it as an "I Want" song in traditional music structure, as it explores the characters' purpose while also dwelling on Rumi's inner thoughts, resulting in the change of an "inspirational pop" to a bit darker genre.{{Cite web |last=Hatchett |first=Keisha |date=June 20, 2025 |title=KPop Demon Hunters: Inside the Animated Film's Electrifying Original Songs |url=https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/kpop-demon-hunters-soundtrack |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250625073328/https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/kpop-demon-hunters-soundtrack |archive-date=June 25, 2025 |access-date=June 20, 2025 |website=Tudum |publisher=Netflix |type=Press release}} Eisendrath explained initially they "had five to six songs written for that slot" but kept developing "until it was the right energy. The directors are tough customers, in the best possible way, and they had a real vision for what this needed to be".{{Cite web |last=Fell |first=Nicole |date=July 3, 2025 |title="Golden" Moment: How 'KPop Demon Hunters' Created the Year's Catchiest Soundtrack |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/kpop-demon-hunters-soundtrack-huntrix-saja-boys-1236306207/ |access-date=July 3, 2025 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}} After the release of the film, its director Chris Appelhans commented that with "Golden" as a "I Want" song they were following "the conventions of a traditional musical" while also "making it a legitimately great pop song" which "is probably why it's [in the Top 10] on the worldwide Spotify charts", noting that "a good pop song also tells a story" which is what "Golden" is doing.{{Cite magazine |last=Mazza |first=Angelina |date=June 28, 2025 |title=The Directors of Netflix's Ingenious New Hit on the Story Behind Its Unlikely Genre Mashup |url=https://slate.com/culture/2025/06/kpop-demon-hunters-netflix-movie-songs-jinu-rumi.html |access-date=July 2, 2025 |magazine=Slate |language=en-US}} In a Reddit "Ask Me Anything" interview, Appelhans further commented that songs such as Biggie's "Juicy" and "Forever" by Drake, Kanye West, Lil Wayne, and Eminem served as sources of inspiration for "Golden", as these songs "helped [them] understand how a pop song could be a biography about starting as a nobody and finding yourself".{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2025-07-12 |title='KPop Demon Hunters': Creators Share Secrets in Reddit AMA |url=https://www.weareresonate.com/2025/07/kpop-demon-hunters-creators-share-secrets-in-reddit-ama/ |access-date=2025-07-13 |website=Resonate |language=en-US}}
Critical reception
Debashree Dutta of Rolling Stone India called the song "an infectious electropop track", noting how it focuses on the purpose of the characters "while also reflecting Rumi's thoughts and the complexity of their role. Thematically, 'Golden' portrays their growth as guardians of humanity".{{Cite web |last=Dutta |first=Debashree |date=July 7, 2025 |title=Hit Songs From 'KPop Demon Hunters' Soundtrack Ranked |url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/best-of-kpop-demon-hunters-soundtrack-golden-soda-pop-your-idol-and-more/ |access-date=July 9, 2025 |website=Rolling Stone India |language=en-US}} Similarly, Angela Garcia of SLUG Magazine noted the song, along with "Your Idol", as energetic tracks with "infectious melodies".{{Cite web |last=Garcia |first=Angela |date=June 30, 2025 |title=Film Review: KPop Demon Hunters |url=https://www.slugmag.com/arts/film/film-reviews/film-review-kpop-demon-hunters/ |access-date=2025-07-02 |website=SLUG Magazine |language=en-US}} Sarah Carey of That Hashtag Show described it as a passionately emotional song that listeners "play when [they] need to remind [themselves] who [they] are."{{cite web |last=Carey |first=Sarah |date=July 1, 2025 |title=The Definitive Ranking of KPop Demon Hunters Songs. No Skips, Just Slays |url=https://www.thathashtagshow.com/latest-news/the-definitive-ranking-of-kpop-demon-hunters-songs-no-skips-just-slays/ |website=That Hashtag Show |access-date=July 3, 2025}}
Commercial performance
{{See also|List of K-pop songs on the Billboard charts|List of Billboard Global 200 number ones of 2025|List of Billboard Hot 100 top-ten singles in 2025}}
In addition to the film's successful soundtrack, "Golden" attained individual commercial success worldwide, charting on various national record charts and garnering millions of streams. It reached number one on both the Billboard Global 200 and the Billboard Global Excl. US charts during the week of July 19, 2025.{{Cite magazine |last=Trust |first=Gary |title=HUNTR/X's 'Golden,' From 'KPop Demon Hunters,' Hits No. 1 on Billboard Global Charts |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/huntr-x-golden-global-charts-number-one-july-19-1236020891/ |magazine=Billboard |date=July 14, 2025 |access-date=July 14, 2025}}
=North America=
According to Billboard, "Golden" garnered seven million U.S. streams from June 27 to June 30, a 272% increase from the same period during the previous week.{{Cite magazine |last=Lipshutz |first=Jason |date=July 2, 2025 |title='KPop Demon Hunters' Is Coming for the Billboard Charts |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/kpop-demon-hunters-streaming-billboard-charts-trending-up-1236012543/ |access-date=July 2, 2025 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}} In the first week of July 2025, the song debuted at number 81 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and number 63 on the Canadian Hot 100.{{cite magazine |date= |title=Billboard Hot 100: Week of July 5, 2025 |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/2025-07-05/ |access-date=July 1, 2025 |magazine=Billboard}} The following week, it jumped to number 23 on both charts;{{Cite magazine |date=July 8, 2025 |title=Billboard Hot 100: Week of July 12, 2025 |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/2025-07-12 |magazine=Billboard}}{{Cite magazine |date=July 8, 2025 |title=Billboard Canadian Hot 100: Week of July 12, 2025 |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/canadian-hot-100/2025-07-12 |magazine=Billboard}} it then entered the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 top ten at number six during the week of July 19, 2025.{{Cite magazine |last=Trust |first=Gary |date=July 14, 2025 |title=Alex Warren's 'Ordinary' Tops Hot 100 for Sixth Week, Drake & HUNTR/X From 'KPop Demon Hunters' New in Top 10 |url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/alex-warren-ordinary-hot-100-number-one-sixth-week/huntr-xs-golden-from-kpop-demon-hunters-shines/ |access-date=July 14, 2025 |magazine=Billboard}}
On July 3, 2025, the song reached number two on the US Spotify daily chart, with the BBC highlighting how it "surpass[ed] Blackpink as the highest-charting female K-pop group".{{Cite web |last=Hoskins |first=Peter |date=July 4, 2025 |title=KPop Demon Hunters: Fictional K-pop bands beat BTS and Blackpink in US charts |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyl1zyv1y2o |access-date=July 5, 2025 |website=BBC |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |title=Daily Top Songs USA |url=https://charts.spotify.com/charts/view/regional-us-daily/2025-07-03 |website=Spotify Charts |date=July 3, 2025 |access-date=July 9, 2025}} Five days later, on July 8, "Golden" topped the US Spotify daily chart, causing Huntr/x to become the first female K-pop group to have a song do so.{{Cite web |last=Ramirez |first=Sebastian |title=Netflix's "Kpop Demon Hunters" HUNTR/X reaches the No.1 spot on US Spotify Chart with "GOLDEN" |url=https://www.musicmundial.com/en/2025/07/09/netflixs-kpop-demon-hunters-huntr-x-reaches-the-no-1-spot-on-us-spotify-chart-with-golden/ |website=Music Mundial |date=July 9, 2025}}{{Cite web |title=Daily Top Songs USA |url=https://charts.spotify.com/charts/view/regional-us-daily/2025-07-08 |website=Spotify Charts |date=July 8, 2025 |access-date=July 9, 2025}}{{Cite web |last=Rezwan |first=Fariba |date=July 9, 2025 |title=KPop Demon Hunters Sets Historic Record First As Netflix Movie Continues To Dominate |url=https://screenrant.com/kpop-demon-hunters-golden-song-spotify-charts-usa-record/ |access-date=July 9, 2025 |website=Screen Rant |language=en}} The song debuted at number 7 on the US Streaming Songs chart – "Golden" is the first song "credited to a fictional act (Huntr/x) to reach the top 10 in the Streaming Songs tally's 12-year history" and "also the first song from an animated film to reach the Streaming Songs top 10 since tracks from Encanto{{-"}} (2021) were on the list.{{Cite magazine |last=Rutherford |first=Kevin |date=July 9, 2025 |title=Pro: 'KPop Demon Hunters' Attack Billboard Hot 100 With Seven Hits, Led by 'Golden' |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/kpop-demon-hunters-billboard-hot-100-seven-hits-golden/ |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=http://archive.today/2025.07.09-213248/https://www.billboard.com/pro/kpop-demon-hunters-billboard-hot-100-seven-hits-golden/ |archive-date=July 9, 2025 |access-date=July 9, 2025 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}
= Asia =
In Asia, "Golden" entered the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry's (IFPI) Official Malaysia Chart, peaking at number 14, and at number 4 on Singapore's Official Singapore Chart. In the Philippines, the song placed at number 24 on Billboard Philippines' Hot 100. In South Korea, "Golden" charted at number 98 on the Digital Chart and debuted at number two on the weekly Global K-pop Chart, both published by Circle.{{Cite web |title=Global K-pop Chart: 2025 Weeks 26 |url=https://circlechart.kr/ |access-date=2025-07-04 |website=Circle Chart |language=en}} The song also became the third to achieve a 2025 perfect all-kill in South Korea.{{Cite web |last=Lim |first=M |date=July 14, 2025 |title=HUNTR/X's "Golden" From "KPop Demon Hunters" Becomes 3rd Song To Achieve Perfect All-Kill In 2025 |url=https://www.soompi.com/article/1759811wpp/huntr-xs-golden-from-kpop-demon-hunters-becomes-3rd-song-to-achieve-perfect-all-kill-in-2025 |access-date=July 14, 2025 |website=Soompi |language=en-US}}
= Europe =
In Germany, "Golden" debuted at number 27 on the GfK's Top 100 Singles chart. The following week, it entered the top ten at number nine. In Ireland, it peaked at number 24 on the Irish Singles Chart. It also appeared on the IFPI chart in Norway, reaching number 19. In the United Kingdom, the song charted at number 20 on the UK Singles Chart. Additionally, it reached number 98 on Sweden's Sverigetopplistan and number 99 on the Single Top 100 in the Netherlands.
= Oceania =
In Australia, "Golden" debuted on Australian Recording Industry Association's (ARIA) Top 50 Singles, entering at number eight.{{cite web |url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/singles-chart/2025-07-07 |title=ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart |publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association|date=July 7, 2025|access-date=July 11, 2025}} The song also debuted at number five on New Zealand's Top 40 Singles,{{cite web |date=July 4, 2025 |title=NZ Top 40 Singles |url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/singles/2025-07-04 |publisher=Recorded Music NZ |access-date=July 11, 2025}} later rising to number two on both charts.