Netflix’s “KPOP Demon Hunters” Sparks Global Music Revolution: Virtual Idols Surpass BTS and Blackpink

Netflix and Sony Pictures Animation have shaken both the film and music industries with “KPOP Demon Hunters”, the animated film that has gone from streaming hit to K-pop music chart phenomenon.

KPOP Demon Hunters: HUNTR/X band

KPOP Demon Hunters: Saja boys band

According to a Wall Street Journal (WSJ) feature on July, 2025, the film’s virtual idol groups HUNTR/X and Saja Boys have surpassed even BTS and Blackpink on major U.S. music charts—a milestone described as “surreal.”

Record-Breaking Success on Spotify and Billboard

Enjoy the KPOP Demon Hunters' OST album on Spotify:

HUNTR/X’s “Golden” debuted at #2 on Spotify U.S., the highest-ranking K-pop girl group track in history, before climbing to #1 globally with over 100 million streams.

In Korea, “Golden” achieved a Perfect All-Kill, dominating every major digital chart.

Saja Boys’ “Your Idol” topped Spotify U.S., overtaking BTS as the highest-ranking K-pop boyband ever.

Both groups later hit #1 simultaneously on Spotify U.S., a feat unprecedented in K-pop history.

On Billboard Hot 100, “Golden” climbed to #4, making HUNTR/X the first virtual K-pop girl group to break into the Top 5.

The film’s OST album entered the Billboard 200 at #2, rivaling the success of “Wicked” last year.

Spotify Global Chart featured with "KPOP Demon Hunters" OST album on August 2025

Netflix’s Biggest Animated Hit Yet

With over 100 million views in five weeks, “KPOP Demon Hunters” is Netflix’s #1 title in 26 countries and is on track to become the platform’s most-watched animated film ever.

📈 Netflix Weekly Performance (Views & Hours Watched):

Week 1: 9.2M views, 15.4M hours watched (#2)
Week 2: 24.2M views, 40.3M hours watched (#1)
Week 3: 22.7M views, 37.8M hours watched (#2)
Week 4: 24.2M views, 40.4M hours watched (#1)
Week 5: 25.8M views, 43M hours watched (#1) 🚀

For three straight weeks since Week 3, the movie has defied gravity, gaining both views and hours watched instead of sliding down. Week 5 marked its highest peak yet – something never before seen in Netflix history.

Today, KPOP Demon Hunters is cementing its place as the most successful animated film debut in Netflix history. With its unstoppable growth, industry watchers say it’s only a matter of time before it enters Netflix’s Top 10 most popular movies of all time, likely surpassing Damsel within weeks.

Netflix’s “KPOP Demon Hunters” Trailer on Youtube

The film’s impact extends far beyond screens: merchandise like Derpy the Tiger plushies and T-shirts have sold out, crashing online shops, while TikTok is flooded with dance covers and cosplay of the virtual idols.

Kevin Woo’s “Second Debut” Through Virtual Stardom

Former U-KISS member Kevin Woo, who voices “Mystery” in Saja Boys, has seen his Spotify listeners jump from 10,000 to 20 million monthly thanks to the role.

Speaking to WSJ, he shared: “Playing a virtual idol feels surreal. People don’t see me as Kevin Woo anymore—but I don’t mind if Saja Boys shine brighter than my U-KISS days. It feels like a rebirth of my artistry.”

His success highlights a turning point: fans are embracing virtual idols as passionately as real-life stars.

The “New Normal” of K-pop?

Industry experts like UCLA professor Kim Suk-Young suggest the film is rewriting the rules of K-pop:

“Audiences are proving they can connect emotionally with non-human idols. This could be the beginning of a new wave of virtual performers—idols who never age, never rest, and never fade.”

References: WSJ, vnreview, bbc news, choson news

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