Chart Reign Context

HUNTR/X Golden is shaping a K-pop Grammy milestone, with nominations landing Nov. 7. The Netflix-sprung trio from KPop Demon Hunters has ruled the Hot 100 for eight weeks, firmly beyond novelty status. That dominance positions Golden as a legitimate record of the year contender, a first for a K-pop hit if it lands the nod.

Historical Stakes

Only one animated act has cracked the record of the year before: The Chipmunks, honored in 1959 for The Chipmunk Song. Their creator, Ross Bagdasarian Sr., known as David Seville, also won the awards for Best Recording for Children and Best Comedy Performance. Golden’s momentum invites comparison, but the parallels stop at animation. HUNTR/X  operates squarely in contemporary pop, not novelty.

Beyond Novelty Pop

Golden is entered for record and song of the year, best pop duo/group performance, best song written for visual media, and best music video. The submissions reflect a broad campaign aimed at artistry, not gimmickry. That breadth mirrors the industry’s shift as soundtrack-driven hits fuel chart and award narratives.

K-pop Grammy Milestone

If Golden receives record of the year recognition, it would mark a K-pop Grammy milestone that eluded BTS with Dynamite, Butter, and My Universe. Those hits were all nominated for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, signaling respect but stopping short of the marquee category. Golden’s run suggests the Academy may be ready to meet K-pop at the center of pop.

Records and Representation

When Golden secured a fifth week at No. 1, it set a new mark for an animated act on the Hot 100. It surpassed The Archies’ Sugar, Sugar and The Chipmunks’ The Chipmunk Song, both four-week leaders. Golden is also the ninth Korean pop-related No. 1, and the first led by female vocalists tied to the genre.

Global Pop Dynamics

HUNTR/X  adds fresh dimensions to global pop’s mainstream. Singers EJAE and REI AMI hail from Seoul, while Audrey Nuna is from New Jersey, underscoring K-pop’s diasporic reach. Their Netflix origin demonstrates how platform storytelling now seeds pop franchises and award-season contenders alike.

What Comes Next

If record of the year materializes, it validates K-pop’s full integration into the Grammys’ top tier. Even without it, Golden has already redefined expectations for animated acts and female-led K-pop on U.S. charts. The coming nominations will reveal whether the Grammys will crown a true K-pop Grammy milestone.