In an interesting crossover between animation and popular music, the soundtrack from the recent Netflix animated film “KPop Demon Hunters” has achieved remarkable success on major real-world music charts, featuring its fictional in-universe K-Pop groups.
The film introduces viewers to two primary groups: the protagonists, Huntrix, and the antagonists, the Soja Boys. Data analysis reveals that the music created for these animated ensembles has resonated significantly with global audiences.
Specifically, the track “Golden” by the fictional group Huntrix secured the number one position for daily global Spotify streams for two consecutive days. This performance followed a period where the song held the second spot. Furthermore, Huntrix as a group ascended into the global top 3 overall rankings, placing them just behind established K-Pop powerhouses Blackpink and TWICE. Notably, members of TWICE provided voice talent for the film`s main characters, creating an additional layer of connection between the animated world and the real music scene.
The Soja Boys did not lag far behind in demonstrating chart impact. Their songs, including the track “Your Idol,” managed to surpass the popularity of several real-world groups, including the internationally acclaimed superstars BTS, within a number of specific regions. This competitive performance against real artists was observed across various platforms, including Apple Music and Spotify in markets such as the United States.
This surprising soundtrack success reflects the overall positive reception of the film itself. “KPop Demon Hunters,” which premiered on June 20, 2025, quickly became a prominent title on Netflix, holding the coveted number one spot on the platform for nearly two weeks. Audience ratings have also been favorable, with platforms like Kinopoisk reporting an 8 out of 10 score.
The performance of the “KPop Demon Hunters” soundtrack is a curious case study in how compelling fictional content can generate tangible results in real-world markets. It appears that even animated characters, when equipped with catchy tunes and a compelling narrative (in this case, demon hunting), can compete directly with the most successful live-action music acts on the global stage. Perhaps the traditional K-Pop industry now has unexpected animated rivals to consider.
