The soundtrack for Netflix’s animated film KPop Demon Hunters has surged to No. 3 on the Billboard 200 albums chart in its second week. This makes it the highest-charting soundtrack of 2025 so far.
This remarkable rise follows its debut at No. 8, marking a significant leap and setting a new benchmark for soundtracks this year.
KPOP DEMON HUNTERS TOPS THE CHARTS
The album’s success is historic. It is the highest-ranking soundtrack for an animated film since Encanto dominated the charts in 2022.
The soundtrack earned 62,000 equivalent album units in the latest tracking week. Physical sales contributed 4,500 units and streaming accounting for 56,000 units, according to Billboard.
This is a 108% increase, equating to 77.42 million on-demand official streams.
CATCHY HIT SONGS
This is the largest streaming week for a soundtrack in nearly two years, just shy of the Barbie soundtrack’s record in August 2023.
Featuring tracks from fictional K-pop groups HUNTR/X and Saja Boys, the soundtrack blends real-world K-pop talent with cinematic storytelling.
Songs like Take Down and Golden by HUNTR/X, and Idol by Saja Boys, have captivated global audiences.
The album also includes an alternate version of Take Down performed by members of the real K-pop group TWICE. This adds authenticity and star power to the project.
KPOP DEMON HUNTERS AND NETFLIX
The film itself premiered on Netflix on 20 June. It quickly climbed to No. 2 on Netflix’s Top 10 Movies in the United States during its second week.
The story follows a fictional K-pop girl group who secretly battle demons, blending thrilling action with catchy music that resonates worldwide.
Ian Eisendrath, the soundtrack’s executive music producer, said, “We aimed to create a soundtrack that not only complements the film’s narrative but also stands alone as a powerful musical experience.
The success of Golden and other tracks shows how K-pop’s global influence continues to grow.”
KPOP DEMON HUNTERS AND AWARDS SEASON
He added that they plan to submit Golden for awards consideration, highlighting the soundtrack’s artistic impact.
This global phenomenon reflects the growing international appeal of K-pop and animated storytelling.
South African fans of K-pop and pop culture will find the soundtrack’s fusion of music and narrative compelling.
The soundtrack’s success also underscores the power of streaming platforms like Netflix and Spotify to bring diverse global content to local audiences.
As one fan commented on social media, “The soundtrack is infectious!
A NEW STANDARD FOR SOUNDTRACKS
It’s amazing to see K-pop’s energy combined with animation, it’s a fresh, exciting experience for us here.” Another noted, “My kids love it, and honestly, so do I. It’s a cultural moment worth celebrating.”
KPop Demon Hunters has not only dominated charts globally but also set a new standard for animated film soundtracks in 2025.
Its blend of thrilling storytelling, catchy K-pop tunes, and strong streaming performance makes it a landmark release with worldwide resonance.
HAVE YOU LISTENED TO THE KPOP DEMON HUNTERS SOUNDTRACK YET?
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