The global K-pop phenomenon continues to reach unprecedented heights as the fictional girl group HUNTR/X has officially secured a BRIT Double Platinum certification for their smash hit “Golden.”
Announced by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) in December 2025, this certification signifies that the track has surpassed 1.2 million units in the United Kingdom.
This achievement further solidifies the cultural impact of KPop Demon Hunters, the Netflix animated film from which the song originates, and cements the group’s status as a dominant force in the modern music landscape.
Breaking Decades-Old Chart Records
The success of “Golden” is not merely limited to sales figures; it has rewritten the history books of the UK Official Singles Chart.
In late 2025, the track reclaimed the No. 1 spot for a ninth non-consecutive week, officially breaking a 56-year-old record previously held by The Archies.
Since 1969, the bubblegum pop classic “Sugar, Sugar” had stood as the longest-running No. 1 single by an animated act with eight weeks at the summit.
By surpassing this benchmark, HUNTR/X has become the most successful virtual performance group in UK chart history, outlasting other major animated hits like Disney’s “We Don’t Talk About Bruno.”
The Voices Behind the Phenomenon
While HUNTR/X exists within the universe of KPop Demon Hunters—voiced by actors Arden Cho, May Hong, and Ji-young Yoo—the musical power of “Golden” is driven by a trio of powerhouse Korean-American artists.
The singing voices of the group are provided by EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami. Their collaboration has been praised for seamlessly blending K-pop sensibilities with Western pop structures, a fusion that has resonated deeply with global audiences.
The track’s infectious hooks and high-gloss production have allowed it to compete directly with live-action superstars, maintaining a presence at the top of the charts for over 10 weeks.
Global Dominance and Award Recognition
The UK certification is just one piece of a massive global puzzle. “Golden” has also been certified 2x Platinum by the RIAA in the United States, recognizing over 2 million units sold.
The KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack made further history by becoming the first film soundtrack to place four simultaneous songs in the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100.
This immense commercial success has been matched by critical acclaim, with the film and its music earning five Grammy Award nominations and multiple Golden Globe nods, including Best Animated Motion Picture and Best Original Song.
A New Era of Virtual Superstars
The rise of HUNTR/X represents a significant shift in how audiences consume music and animation. Following the success of “Golden,” other tracks from the film, such as “How It’s Done” and “What It Sounds Like,” have also maintained strong positions in the Top 15 of the UK charts.
The fictional boy band from the same film, the Saja Boys, has also seen significant success, claiming two UK Top 5 entries.
This “clean sweep” of the charts by the KPop Demon Hunters universe illustrates the growing power of “soft culture” and the ability of animated storytelling to launch legitimate, record-breaking musical careers.
Moving into 2026, HUNTR/X stands as a testament to the enduring global appetite for K-pop and its evolving role in digital media.
In a move that has reignited discussions regarding celebrity accountability in South Korea, veteran actor Kwak Do Won has officially issued a comprehensive public apology concerning his driving under the influence (DUI) incident from 2022.
This formal statement, released on December 19, 2025, marks the first time in over three years that the actor has directly addressed the public about the controversy.
His words come at a pivotal moment, coinciding with the long-delayed release of his final project filmed before his hiatus, signaling a potential attempt to reconcile with an audience that has remained largely critical of his past actions.
Chronology of the 2022 Incident
To understand the weight of this apology, one must look back to September 2022, when Kwak Do Won was booked by authorities on suspicion of drunk driving.
The details of the arrest were particularly damaging to his reputation; his blood alcohol concentration was recorded at 0.158 percent.
In South Korea, this level is nearly double the 0.08 percent threshold required for the immediate revocation of a driver’s license.
The severity of the offense led to an instantaneous and total halt of his professional activities.
Kwak Do Won (Credit: YouTube)
Impact on the Drama “Villains”
The consequences of Kwak’s actions extended beyond his personal career to the production teams he worked with.
Specifically, the TVING original drama Villains—in which Kwak played a leading role—had already completed filming before the DUI occurred.
Following the scandal, the streaming platform was forced to indefinitely postpone the drama’s release, leaving the hard work of the cast and crew in limbo for years.
It was only on December 18, 2025, that TVING finally premiered the series.
The timing of Kwak’s apology, coming just one day after the show’s debut, suggests a calculated effort to take responsibility for the burden his actions placed on his colleagues and the platform.
Themes of Shame and Self-Reflection
In his heartfelt statement, Kwak Do Won admitted that the long delay in his apology was born out of fear and a deep sense of shame.
He confessed that he struggled to find the appropriate words to address the public because of the gravity of his wrongdoing.
During his three-year absence, Kwak claims to have undergone a period of intense self-reflection, questioning whether he had any right to remain in the public eye.
He noted that the things he once took for granted—his status and the public’s trust—were revealed to be fragile privileges.
He expressed deep regret for missing the “appropriate time” to apologize earlier, acknowledging that his silence may have added to the disappointment felt by his fans.
Moving Forward Without Shortcuts
Perhaps the most notable aspect of the apology is Kwak’s assertion that he is not seeking “quick forgiveness.”
He stated that he intends to prove his remorse through his future lifestyle and actions rather than just through words.
By emphasizing a “step-by-step” approach to rebuilding his sense of responsibility, he acknowledges that the road to redemption in the eyes of the public is long.
Whether this apology marks the beginning of a successful comeback or serves as a final closing chapter to his career remains to be seen, as the South Korean public continues to weigh the sincerity of his words against the years of silence.
