Netflix’s animated film KPop Demon Hunters continues to break records and make history. The song Golden, performed by the fictional girl group HUNTR/X, ranked number one on the Billboard Hot 100 after just seven weeks. With this milestone, HUNTR/X became the first girl group to top the chart since Destiny’s Child did with ‘Bootylicious’ in 2001. Crazy, right? However, this has ignited debates about whether a fictional group should be celebrated like real K-pop acts.
Why Fans Are Upset About HUNTR/X Being Called A K-Pop Group!
The song ‘Golden’ surpassed Alex Warren’s Ordinary, which was at number 1 for the past ten weeks. According to Billboard, Golden garnered an impressive 31.7 million streams, 7,000 sales, and 8.4 million radio plays in a single week. Another song, Your Idol by the fictional boy band Saja Boys, hit number eight on the Hot 100, and several other songs are doing wonders on music charts.
What is even crazier is that ‘Golden’ is the first K-pop song to top the UK Singles Chart since Psy’s Gangnam Style in 2012. The movie and songs have become a global sensation and these achievements prove it.
But not everyone is excited about it. Some fans argue that the group shouldn’t be compared to real K-pop acts because they’re animated characters voiced by singers EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and REI AMI. Some users are also worried that celebrating a fictional group could open the door for virtual or AI-driven artists to dominate the music industry and this will sideline real performers.
One fan was frustrated that real groups like BLACKPINK or aespa have worked hard for years for this but an animated group took the top spot.
Also Read: KPop Demon Hunters Makes History By Landing At No. 1 Spot On The Billboard Hot 100!
On the other hand, many fans came to the defence. They point out that the singers, songwriters, and producers are real people who deserve recognition for their work. One fan stated that the music is just as valid as any other and compared HUNTR/X to other virtual bands. Another user added that their music was competing alongside real artists and hence, they should be considered for it. What do you think?
Also Read: Saja Boys And HUNTR/X From KPop Demon Hunters Take Over Global Music Charts!