Billboard 200: No. 2 for Three Consecutive Weeks, Hot 100 No. 1
UK Official Chart: First K-pop Song to Reach No. 1 for Two Weeks
"Biggest Impact Since Frozen's 'Let It Go'"
The original soundtrack "Golden" from the Netflix animated series "K-Pop Demon Hunters" (Kedeheon) has soared to the top of the charts in both the United States and the United Kingdom, driving a rebound in domestic music streaming consumption as well.
On the U.S. Billboard charts, the album has maintained strong and steady performance over an extended period. According to the Billboard main album chart, the "Billboard 200," announced on the 17th (local time), the OST album ranked No. 2 for the third consecutive week. In this week's tally, the album achieved a personal best, recording 104,000 album units-an increase of 4% compared to the previous week.
After debuting at No. 8 in June, the OST album has remained within the top 10, moving between No. 3, No. 2, No. 5, and No. 3, and never dropping out of the top 10. It has claimed the No. 2 spot four times. Billboard analyzed, "For eight weeks since its chart debut, it has continued to rise every week."
The OST track "Golden," performed by the in-story girl group Huntrix, previously reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, the main singles chart, proving its success in both the album and single categories.
On the UK Official Singles Chart, "Golden" reclaimed the No. 1 spot, setting a new record as the first K-pop song to do so. After entering the chart at No. 93, the song climbed to No. 31, No. 20, No. 9, No. 4, and finally No. 1. Although it briefly dropped to No. 2, it returned to No. 1 on the latest chart released on the 15th (local time). As a result, it became the first K-pop song in history to reach No. 1 non-consecutively for two weeks.
This achievement is especially significant, as the only previous example was Psy's "Gangnam Style," which held the top spot for one week in 2012. This week, other tracks from the OST, including "Soda Pop" (No. 6), "Your Idol" (No. 7), and "Takedown" (No. 35), also entered the chart, demonstrating the overall strength of the soundtrack. The Official Charts stated, "The 'K-Pop Demon Hunters' OST has surpassed the movie 'Barbie' (2023) to record the most streams in a single week for any OST in UK history."
Changes have also emerged in the domestic music market. According to Circle Chart, usage of the top 400 songs on the July Digital Chart increased by 7.9% compared to the previous month, breaking a four-month streak of decline. The proportion of new releases (within three months of release) also jumped from 15.6% to 22.9%, reaching its highest level this year.
"Golden" topped the monthly chart with 114 million points, while "Soda Pop" ranked No. 3 and "Your Idol" ranked No. 9, with a total of nine tracks from the OST making it into the upper ranks. This is the first time in about four years that an OST has topped the monthly chart since Lim Youngwoong's "Love Always Runs Away" in 2021.
Music data journalist Kim Jinwoo explained, "'Kedeheon' is simultaneously changing consumption trends both domestically and internationally, much like how the 'Frozen' OST 'Let It Go' shook up the music market in 2014." He added, "A virtuous cycle is emerging, with the ripple effect spreading to cover videos and karaoke usage."
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