‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Misses Making K-Pop History By One Space — For Now

BusinessHollywood & Entertainment‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Misses Making K-Pop History By One Space — For NowByHugh McIntyre,Senior Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Hugh McIntyre covers music, with a focus on the global charts.Follow AuthorMay 31, 2026, 02:00pm EDT "Golden" rises to a new high nearly a year after its release and misses out on becoming K-pop's first No. 1 on the Adult Contemporary chart by one space. LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 01: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) (L-R) Audrey Nuna, EJAE and Rei Ami of Kpop Demon Hunters attend the 68th GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena on February 01, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)Getty ImagesIn a little more than a month, "Golden," the historic smash from KPop Demon Hunters, will turn one year old. The tune was pushed as a single from the blockbuster on July 4, 2025, only a few weeks after the animated film was released on Netflix. Once it became clear that the movie was not going to be just another success, but that it was headed for greater heights than perhaps anybody expected, the move made perfect sense. KPop Demon Hunters would quickly become the platform's most-viewed project of all time. "Golden" was sent to radio stations, and amazingly, even after being played nonstop for nearly a year and winning both a Grammy and an Oscar, "Golden" remains a huge hit in America. This week, the cut, which is credited to the fictional girl group Huntr/x, as well as vocalists Ejae, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami, rises to a new peak position on one of Billboard's three pop radio rosters, and it almost sits on the throne.“Golden” Almost Hits No. 134 weeks into its time on the Adult Contemporary chart, "Golden" establishes a new peak. The electropop banger pushes from No. 3 to No. 2, missing out on ruling by just one space. That "Golden" continues to grow is remarkable, even...