Title: KPop Demon Hunters” Singers Bring Record-Breaking “Golden” to Times Square
Content:
Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami—the voices behind Netflix’s viral track “Golden” from KPop Demon Hunters—closed 2025 by headlining Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve in Times Square. The midnight set drew an estimated 1.2 million on-site spectators and a global TV audience of 800 million, making it one of the most-watched K-pop performances in U.S. history.
The Rise of “Golden”
“Golden” logged 18 non-consecutive weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100 and moved four million U.S. units to earn double-platinum certification from the RIAA. The Netflix film that introduced the song became the platform’s most-watched title within 30 days of release, racking up 265 million views. Billboard noted the single spent eight separate weeks at No. 1, matching the longest run for any K-pop act.
The trio’s live reputation grew after sold-out pop-ups in Los Angeles, Seoul, and New York where all 30,000 tickets vanished in under eight minutes. Rolling Stone ranked their Times Square rehearsal among the week’s best live moments, citing military-precise choreography and live vocals delivered at 15 °F.
K-pop’s Mainstream Breakthrough
The Times Square slot—historically reserved for heritage pop or rock acts—signals a shift. K-pop now accounts for 12 of the 100 most-streamed songs globally, according to Variety, and labels report a 40 % year-over-year increase in Korean-language track submissions to U.S. radio. Le Sserafim shared the same New Year’s bill, underscoring the genre’s depth beyond a single breakout act.
Social metrics tell the same story: TikTok clips tagged #GoldenKpop surpassed 2.3 billion views, while Spotify data show the track added 1.8 million daily streams six months after release—an unusually long shelf life for a pop single.
A Bright Future Ahead
All three singers have confirmed solo material due before summer 2026, followed by a joint EP produced by Dem Jointz and 250. Touring giant Live Nation has already registered 1.4 million fan pre-sales for a rumored North American arena run, though dates remain unannounced.
Beyond music, the group fronts campaigns for Calvin Klein, Samsung, and Fenty Beauty—deals that put them in front of mainstream consumers who have never watched a K-pop video. The New York Times reported that Netflix green-lit an animated spin-off centered on their demon-hunter characters, aiming to replicate the cross-media success that began with “Golden.”
The Cultural Alchemy Behind “Golden”
What makes “Golden” transcend typical K-pop success? It’s the perfect storm of cultural fusion that these three artists represent. Ejae brings her Korean-American heritage and classical training, Audrey Nuna infuses her Korean roots with New York swagger, while Rei Ami adds her Japanese-Filipina background and trap-influenced vocals. This isn’t just K-pop anymore—it’s global pop that happens to be performed by Korean artists.
The song’s production mirrors this cultural hybridization. Traditional Korean instruments like the gayageum weave through trap beats, while the lyrics bounce between Korean, English, and even Spanish phrases. It’s like someone took BTS’s global ambitions, Blackpink’s swagger, and threw them into a blender with Doja Cat’s playfulness. The result? A track that feels both foreign and familiar to listeners worldwide.
Netflix’s decision to feature this particular trio in “KPop Demon Hunters” wasn’t random—they understood that Gen Z doesn’t just want polished perfection anymore. They want authenticity wrapped in exceptional packaging. These artists deliver both, making them the perfect ambassadors for K-pop’s evolution from niche genre to global phenomenon.
Breaking Down the Numbers
Let’s talk about those mind-blowing statistics that have industry executives scrambling to understand the “Golden” formula. Eighteen weeks on Billboard’s Hot 100 isn’t just impressive—it’s historic. Only 15 songs in Billboard history have achieved this feat, placing “Golden” alongside classics like “Old Town Road” and “Despacito.”
| Metric | “Golden” Achievement | Industry Average |
|---|---|---|
| Billboard Hot 100 Weeks at #1 | 8 weeks | 2-3 weeks |
| RIAA Certification Timeline | Double Platinum (4M+ units) | Platinum typically takes 12+ months |
| Netflix Film Performance | Most-watched in platform history | Top 10 list achievement |
| Social Media Engagement | 2.3B TikTok creations | 100M+ considered viral |
But here’s what’s really fascinating: the song’s success isn’t following traditional patterns. While most hits peak and fade, “Golden” has shown remarkable staying power, experiencing three separate resurgences on the charts. Each comeback coincided with major performances—the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade appearance sparked a 150% streaming increase, while the Saturday Night Live performance generated another chart rebound.
The Netflix factor can’t be understated either. Netflix reported that “KPop Demon Hunters” was watched in over 190 countries, with the soundtrack seeing massive streaming increases in unexpected markets like Brazil, Nigeria, and Sweden. This global reach transformed what could have been a regional hit into a worldwide phenomenon.
What’s Next for K-Pop’s New Royalty?
Industry insiders are already buzzing about what’s coming next. Sources close to the trio hint at a full album drop in late 2025, with potential collaborations that would have seemed impossible just months ago. Think along the lines of Bad Bunny meets NewJeans, or a Rosalía crossover that could shatter language barriers entirely.
The Times Square performance wasn’t just a celebration—it was a statement. By choosing Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, traditionally dominated by Western pop acts, these artists declared that K-pop isn’t a niche anymore. It’s the mainstream. When over 1 billion people worldwide watched them perform “Golden” as the ball dropped, they weren’t just witnessing a performance—they were watching cultural history unfold.
What’s particularly exciting is how this success is reshaping the industry. Record labels are scrambling to find the next “Golden,” but they’re missing the point. This wasn’t manufactured in a boardroom. It emerged from authentic cultural exchange, genuine talent, and perfect timing. The future of pop isn’t about copying this formula—it’s about understanding that audiences crave authenticity wrapped in exceptional execution.
As we move forward, expect to see more hybrid artists who refuse to be boxed into single genres or markets. The success of “Golden” proves that we’re living in a post-genre world where great music transcends language, culture, and traditional marketing boundaries. These three artists didn’t just break records—they broke the mold entirely.