Unbelievable! Fictional K-Pop Bands Steal the Spotlight from BTS and Blackpink

A sensational shift in the K-pop landscape has emerged as fictional bands from the animated movie KPop Demon Hunters have skyrocketed to the top of the US music charts, outperforming real-life icons like BTS and Blackpink. This animated sensation, now the most streamed film on Netflix globally with over 33 million views in merely two weeks, showcases the fictional boy band Saja Boys, whose song Your Idol dominated the US Spotify chart, marking them as the highest-charting male K-pop group in Spotify history and surpassing BTS.

Adding to the excitement, the fictional girl group Huntr/x, with their hit Golden, clinched the second spot, outshining Blackpink and securing the title of the highest-charting female K-pop group. The film’s soundtrack has made waves, entering the top 10 of the Billboard 200, achieving the best debut for a soundtrack in the year so far.

Golden is poised for official release under Republic Records, with Netflix even eyeing it for awards consideration.

KPop Demon Hunters tells the story of Huntr/x—consisting of members Rumi, Mira, and Zoey—who double as demon hunters while entertaining and protecting their fans from supernatural threats during concerts. Their arch-rivals, the Saja Boys, are demon impostors aiming to steal fans’ souls.

Produced by Sony Pictures Animation and directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, the film’s unexpected triumph could be attributed to the top-tier talent behind its production, including the likes of Teddy Park and Lindgren, who have worked with notable K-pop acts.

Amidst this animated phenomenon, real-life K-pop giants BTS are making headlines with their upcoming comeback after completing military service, and Blackpink is gearing up for their first all-stadium world tour. The K-pop scene remains as vibrant and competitive as ever, with both the fictional and real-life bands vying for the crown of K-pop royalty.