Luminate’s 2025 year-end report revealed K-pop’s strong performance in the international music market. The track “Golden”, part of the original soundtrack for the animated film “KPop Demon Hunters” by Netflix, occupied the second position among the most played songs in the world throughout the analyzed period. Essa placement highlighted the genre’s ability to attract listeners beyond traditional releases by Korean artists.
The song recorded 2.43 billion global streams between January 3, 2025 and January 1, 2026. Logo behind, in fourth place, was “APT.”, a duet between singer Rosé, from The lead was “Die With a Smile”, from Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars, with 2.858 billion streams.
The performance reflects the continued growth of K-pop on digital platforms. Dados of Luminate indicate that the genre maintained relevant positions in multiple categories, including music video views and physical sales in the Estados Unidos.
Highlights in the global stream ranking
The presence of animation soundtracks at the top of the charts represents a novelty in the music scene. “Golden”, performed by the fictional group Huntrix within the film, gained organic repercussion through scenes integrated into the narrative. The song combined pop elements with striking choreography, which contributed to its rapid dissemination.
Other K-pop tracks also ranked high throughout the year. The report showed a general increase in the consumption of Korean content, driven by strategic launches and international collaborations. Esse movement consolidated the genre as one of the main forces in global streaming.
- Main songs in the top 10 global streams:
- 1st: “Die With to Smile” – Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars (2.858 billion)
- 2nd: “Golden” – Huntrix (KPop Demon Hunters OST) (2.43 billion)
- 4th: “APT.” – Rosé and Bruno Mars (2.326 billion)
Success in music video views
Music videos associated with K-pop maintained high engagement throughout 2025. The music video for “APT.” accumulated 1.403 billion views, securing second position in the annual ranking. Essa performance demonstrated the effectiveness of visual strategies that combine dance and narrative.
Another highlight came from tracks linked to audiovisual projects. The video related to “Golden” reached 1.146 billion views, ranking fourth. The integration between music and animation made it easier to reach different age groups.
The report noted that seven of the ten most viewed music videos included elements of Korean production or collaborations with artists in the genre. Essa distribution reinforced K-pop’s visual influence on video platforms.
Physical album sales in the Estados Unidos
K-pop remained dominant in physical album and CD sales in the Estados Unidos. Sete Korean releases entered the top 10 best-selling CDs, according to data compiled by Luminate. Group Stray Kids led with multiple entries.
Stray Kids’s album “KARMA” sold approximately 524,000 copies and ranked second overall. Next, “DO IT”, from the same group, registered 456 thousand units and occupied third position. Outra their entry, “HOP”, appeared sixth with 223 thousand copies.
- Top K-pop albums in the top 10 CD sales in the US:
- 2nd: “KARMA” – Stray Kids (524 thousand copies)
- 3rd: “DO IT” – Stray Kids (456 thousand copies)
- 4th: “DESIRE: UNLEASH” – ENHYPEN (261 thousand copies)
- 5th: “GOLDEN HOUR: PART 3” – ATEEZ (223 thousand copies)
- 6th: “HOP” – Stray Kids (223 thousand copies)
Impact of KPop Soundtrack Demon Hunters
The track for “KPop Demon Hunters” was also present in album sales. The complete soundtrack entered the top 10 of equivalent units in the Estados Unidos, with numbers exceeding 2 million. Essa’s achievement positioned the project as one of the most successful soundtracks of the year.
The film, released by Netflix in mid-2025, incorporated original music that resonated with global audiences. Lead track “Golden” directly benefited from exposure on the video streaming platform. Versões remixes and lyric videos expanded the reach.
The combination of animation and musical performance attracted new listeners to K-pop. The project demonstrated commercial viability for hybrid formats between cinema and music.
Overall growth in K-pop consumption
The genre recorded a significant increase in total consumption in 2025. Plataformas reported that K-pop represented a relevant portion of the annual growth in streams in Western markets. Lançamentos of established groups kept the fan base active.
Collaborations with international artists, such as Rosé with Bruno Mars, expanded the reach beyond traditional audiences. Esses partnerships facilitated entry into mainstream charts. The report highlighted that K-pop appeared in all the main categories analyzed.
Aggregated data shows that the genre contributed to a record 5 trillion global streams for the year.
Positions of other Korean groups
In addition to the Stray Kids, ENHYPEN and ATEEZ maintained consistent sales in the Estados Unidos. “DESIRE: UNLEASH”, by ENHYPEN, sold 261 thousand copies and ranked fourth in the CD rankings. ATEEZ reached fifth position with “GOLDEN HOUR: PART 3”.
These numbers reflect the American public’s loyalty to the physical format. Colecionadores continue to acquire limited editions and photocard versions. The physical K-pop market grew compared to the previous year.
Other groups such as Tomorrow X Together also appeared on secondary sales lists.
Trends observed in the annual report
Luminate identified that K-pop has benefited from global simultaneous release strategies. Álbuns and singles gained immediate traction in multiple regions. The genre maintained a balance between streaming and traditional sales.
The year 2025 consolidated positions previously achieved. Grupos Koreans occupied spaces previously dominated by local artists on American charts. The diversification of formats contributed to this expansion.
The full report covered the period from January to December 2025, with data collected until the beginning of 2026.
Distribution by specific categories
In the equivalent album charts, the soundtrack for “KPop Demon Hunters” was among the ten most consumed. Stray Kids appeared with three entries in the overall sales top. Essa multiplicity reinforced the group’s dominance in the physical market.
Other categories, such as podcasts and musical audiobooks, also registered content related to K-pop. Episódios about behind the scenes of Korean productions gained an audience.
The annual analysis showed continued growth in the genre for the coming periods.
Luminate’s 2025 year-end report revealed K-pop’s strong performance in the international music market. The track “Golden”, part of the original soundtrack for the animated film “KPop Demon Hunters” by Netflix, occupied the second position among the most played songs in the world throughout the analyzed period. Essa placement highlighted the genre’s ability to attract listeners beyond traditional releases by Korean artists.
The song recorded 2.43 billion global streams between January 3, 2025 and January 1, 2026. Logo behind, in fourth place, was “APT.”, a duet between singer Rosé, from The lead was “Die With a Smile”, from Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars, with 2.858 billion streams.
The performance reflects the continued growth of K-pop on digital platforms. Dados of Luminate indicate that the genre maintained relevant positions in multiple categories, including music video views and physical sales in the Estados Unidos.
Highlights in the global stream ranking
The presence of animation soundtracks at the top of the charts represents a novelty in the music scene. “Golden”, performed by the fictional group Huntrix within the film, gained organic repercussion through scenes integrated into the narrative. The song combined pop elements with striking choreography, which contributed to its rapid dissemination.
Other K-pop tracks also ranked high throughout the year. The report showed a general increase in the consumption of Korean content, driven by strategic launches and international collaborations. Esse movement consolidated the genre as one of the main forces in global streaming.
- Main songs in the top 10 global streams:
- 1st: “Die With to Smile” – Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars (2.858 billion)
- 2nd: “Golden” – Huntrix (KPop Demon Hunters OST) (2.43 billion)
- 4th: “APT.” – Rosé and Bruno Mars (2.326 billion)
Success in music video views
Music videos associated with K-pop maintained high engagement throughout 2025. The music video for “APT.” accumulated 1.403 billion views, securing second position in the annual ranking. Essa performance demonstrated the effectiveness of visual strategies that combine dance and narrative.
Another highlight came from tracks linked to audiovisual projects. The video related to “Golden” reached 1.146 billion views, ranking fourth. The integration between music and animation made it easier to reach different age groups.
The report noted that seven of the ten most viewed music videos included elements of Korean production or collaborations with artists in the genre. Essa distribution reinforced K-pop’s visual influence on video platforms.
Physical album sales in the Estados Unidos
K-pop remained dominant in physical album and CD sales in the Estados Unidos. Sete Korean releases entered the top 10 best-selling CDs, according to data compiled by Luminate. Group Stray Kids led with multiple entries.
Stray Kids’s album “KARMA” sold approximately 524,000 copies and ranked second overall. Next, “DO IT”, from the same group, registered 456 thousand units and occupied third position. Outra their entry, “HOP”, appeared sixth with 223 thousand copies.
- Top K-pop albums in the top 10 CD sales in the US:
- 2nd: “KARMA” – Stray Kids (524 thousand copies)
- 3rd: “DO IT” – Stray Kids (456 thousand copies)
- 4th: “DESIRE: UNLEASH” – ENHYPEN (261 thousand copies)
- 5th: “GOLDEN HOUR: PART 3” – ATEEZ (223 thousand copies)
- 6th: “HOP” – Stray Kids (223 thousand copies)
Impact of KPop Soundtrack Demon Hunters
The track for “KPop Demon Hunters” was also present in album sales. The complete soundtrack entered the top 10 of equivalent units in the Estados Unidos, with numbers exceeding 2 million. Essa’s achievement positioned the project as one of the most successful soundtracks of the year.
The film, released by Netflix in mid-2025, incorporated original music that resonated with global audiences. Lead track “Golden” directly benefited from exposure on the video streaming platform. Versões remixes and lyric videos expanded the reach.
The combination of animation and musical performance attracted new listeners to K-pop. The project demonstrated commercial viability for hybrid formats between cinema and music.
Overall growth in K-pop consumption
The genre recorded a significant increase in total consumption in 2025. Plataformas reported that K-pop represented a relevant portion of the annual growth in streams in Western markets. Lançamentos of established groups kept the fan base active.
Collaborations with international artists, such as Rosé with Bruno Mars, expanded the reach beyond traditional audiences. Esses partnerships facilitated entry into mainstream charts. The report highlighted that K-pop appeared in all the main categories analyzed.
Aggregated data shows that the genre contributed to a record 5 trillion global streams for the year.
Positions of other Korean groups
In addition to the Stray Kids, ENHYPEN and ATEEZ maintained consistent sales in the Estados Unidos. “DESIRE: UNLEASH”, by ENHYPEN, sold 261 thousand copies and ranked fourth in the CD rankings. ATEEZ reached fifth position with “GOLDEN HOUR: PART 3”.
These numbers reflect the American public’s loyalty to the physical format. Colecionadores continue to acquire limited editions and photocard versions. The physical K-pop market grew compared to the previous year.
Other groups such as Tomorrow X Together also appeared on secondary sales lists.
Trends observed in the annual report
Luminate identified that K-pop has benefited from global simultaneous release strategies. Álbuns and singles gained immediate traction in multiple regions. The genre maintained a balance between streaming and traditional sales.
The year 2025 consolidated positions previously achieved. Grupos Koreans occupied spaces previously dominated by local artists on American charts. The diversification of formats contributed to this expansion.
The full report covered the period from January to December 2025, with data collected until the beginning of 2026.
Distribution by specific categories
In the equivalent album charts, the soundtrack for “KPop Demon Hunters” was among the ten most consumed. Stray Kids appeared with three entries in the overall sales top. Essa multiplicity reinforced the group’s dominance in the physical market.
Other categories, such as podcasts and musical audiobooks, also registered content related to K-pop. Episódios about behind the scenes of Korean productions gained an audience.
The annual analysis showed continued growth in the genre for the coming periods.