‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Defines 2025 With 6 Chart-Topping Hits On The Philippines Hot 100
It wasn’t on 2025’s bingo card to witness such a successful and dominating run on the charts for KPop Demon Hunters. With tracks like “Golden” and “Soda Pop,” 2025 became a definitive year for the hit Netflix animated film.
HUNTR/X: Courtesy of Netflix
Perhaps no one expected a Netflix animated film to break through the zeitgeist, dominate 2025, and become even bigger than anticipated.
The odds were stacked against KPop Demon Hunters, as it was released exclusively on streaming rather than receiving an initial global theatrical release. However, no one — not even Sony Pictures Animation or Netflix — expected the cultural impact the film would amass after premiering on Netflix on June 20, 2025.
It centers on the fictional K-pop girl group HUNTR/X — composed of Rumi, Mira, and Zoey — as they juggle global stardom with their secret mission to protect the world from demons. Far from being a run-of-the-mill film centered on K-pop music, idols, and Korean culture, K-Pop Demon Hunters has emerged as a global phenomenon, bolstered by a soundtrack that not only showcases Korean and fandom culture, but has also dominated the charts.
HUNTR/X and the Saja Boys delivered hits we can’t stop listening to, defining the year with not one, not two, but six chart-topping songs on the Billboard Philippines Hot 100.
The film’s soundtrack entered and immediately dominated the chart for the week of July 5, 2025, with the fan-favorite “Golden,” sung by HUNTR/X singing voice actors Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami, debuting at No. 24. Meanwhile, “Soda Pop,” sung by the Saja Boys’ singing voice actors Andrew Choi, Neckwav, Danny Chung, Kevin Woo, and SamUIL Lee, made a splash at No. 28. “Free,” the duet by Ejae and Choi, entered at No. 36. HUNTR/X’s other tracks, “How It’s Done” and “What It Sounds Like,” debuted at No. 46 and No. 53, respectively, while the Saja Boys’ “Your Idol” placed at No. 58.
Beyond the film’s vocal performers, TWICE’s “Strategy” also made its way onto the chart at No. 77. Jeongyeon, Jihyo, and Chaeyoung of the South Korean girl group also performed the song “Takedown,” which placed at No. 79, with the HUNTR/X version debuting at No. 81.
The success didn’t end there. “Golden” went on to become one of the soundtrack’s biggest hits, climbing to No. 3 on the chart and reaching as high as No. 2, while “Soda Pop” has peaked as high as No. 6.
It is quite rare for a film to achieve widespread popularity alongside its soundtrack, especially in an era where film music often enjoys only brief chart runs or fades into obscurity after debuting on streaming platforms. Few soundtracks manage to resonate beyond their films, let alone compete alongside mainstream releases on major charts.
Undoubtedly, 2025 witnessed K-pop making an even bigger splash on the global stage, with K-Pop Demon Hunters leaving a blazing mark on pop culture. Audiences couldn’t stop dancing to and streaming its songs, and fans are already craving more. The songs becoming mainstays on the Hot 100 chart further proved that Filipino listeners were joining the craze.
The Billboard Philippines Year-End charts collect data from each week of the year, measuring the total number of streams, radio plays, and sales. The year-end charts showcase the songs and artists that shaped the year’s music that have resonated deeply with the Filipino audience.
Based on the data, artists who top the year-end charts are those who consistently show success and keep fans engaged. Whether by releasing multiple songs or dominating airplay and streams across the country, their performance reflects a strong impact that is amplified by their placement on the charts. Check out the Billboard Philippines 2025 Year-End charts here.