How Netflix’s ‘K-Pop Demon Hunters’ OST Conquered Billboard and Won Over Idols Like BTS & TWICE

It starts with an irresistibly catchy beat. Suddenly, BTS’s RM is on a live stream, singing along and effortlessly nailing the choreography. Elsewhere, members of TWICE and ZEROBASEONE are posting their own dance challenges to millions of views on TikTok. The song they’re all obsessed with? “Soda Pop,” an addictive dance track from a fictional K-pop group.

This isn’t just another viral trend; it’s the incredible ripple effect of Netflix’s latest animated blockbuster, ‘K-Pop: Demon Hunters.’ The film’s global success has ignited a parallel firestorm on the music charts, proving that its original soundtrack (OST) is a phenomenon in its own right.

A Global Sensation on Screen and on the Charts

‘K-Pop: Demon Hunters’ has been a runaway success since its release on June 20th. The musical animation, produced by Sony Pictures Animation and co-directed by Korean-Canadian Maggie Kang, tells the story of the superstar girl group Huntrix, who secretly protect the world from evil spirits. Their journey sees them competing against the demonic boy group Saja Boys while uncovering their true identities.

The film quickly captured the world’s attention, claiming the #1 spot in the global movie category on Netflix for 13 consecutive days as of July 2nd.

But the story doesn’t end there. The movie’s OST has achieved unprecedented success, making a massive impact on global music charts:

  • Billboard 200: The soundtrack debuted at #8, becoming the first OST released in 2025 to enter the Top 10.
  • Billboard Hot 100: Two tracks, “Your Idol” and “Golden,” entered the prestigious singles chart at #77 and #81, respectively.
  • Global Streaming: Multiple songs from the album have secured spots in the Top 100 on Spotify’s ‘Daily Top Song Global’ chart and have even charted on domestic platforms like Melon’s ‘Top 100’.

When K-Pop Idols Become Fans: The Ultimate Seal of Approval

The true sign of the OST’s authenticity is the enthusiastic support from real-life K-pop idols. The fan-favorite track “Soda Pop” has sparked a wave of content from some of the industry’s biggest names.

  • BTS: During a Weverse live stream on July 1st, RM caught fans’ attention by singing and dancing along to “Soda Pop.” Fellow member Jungkook chimed in, asking, “Isn’t it fun?” confirming he had also watched and enjoyed the movie.
  • TWICE: Members Jeongyeon, Jihyo, and Chaeyoung uploaded a dance challenge for the Huntrix song “TAKEDOWN,” which exploded on TikTok with over 17 million views.
  • ZEROBASEONE: The group also joined the “Soda Pop” craze, with their challenge video surpassing 10 million views on TikTok.
  • TOMORROW X TOGETHER: Taking it a step further, TXT released a “Demon Hunters version” of a dance performance to their song “Eternally.” In the video, the members wore hanbok-style outfits reminiscent of the Saja Boys, a nod that director Maggie Kang personally shared on her social media with a message of thanks.

The Secret to Success: Authentic K-Pop DNA

So, what makes this soundtrack different? Critics and fans agree it comes down to its deep-rooted authenticity. This isn’t a superficial take on K-pop; it was crafted by the industry’s own.

The music was produced by a team of heavy-hitters from THEBLACKLABEL, including star producer Teddy (known for his work with BIGBANG and BLACKPINK), Kush, and Vince.

The vocalists are also deeply connected to the K-pop scene:

  • Huntrix’s parts were performed by artists like Lee Jae (a former SM Entertainment trainee), R&B singer Audrey Nuna, and Korean-American singer Leigh-Anne. The OST also features a special version of “TAKEDOWN” recorded by TWICE’s Jeongyeon, Jihyo, and Chaeyoung.
  • Saja Boys’ vocals feature Andrew Choi (3rd place on ‘K-Pop Star’), Kevin Woo (formerly of U-KISS), and THEBLACKLABEL producer Danny Chung.

Pop culture critic Jung Duk-hyun explained, “The OST album’s entry into the Billboard charts means that the existing K-pop fandom has mobilized. It worked because they approached it with the mindset of making real K-pop.” Music critic Kim Do-heon added, “It faithfully reflects the elements that K-pop fans usually see, hear, and enjoy. Because there was no artificial perspective, the public could appreciate the music naturally.”

‘K-Pop: Demon Hunters’ has set a new standard, proving that when cultural content is created with genuine respect and expertise, it can resonate with both dedicated fans and a global audience, creating a true, chart-topping phenomenon.