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A star from the animated hit *KPop Demon Hunters* describes the film’s success as “feeling like a dream.”
The film, which centers on a fictional girl band leading a double life as defenders of humanity against a supernatural threat, has become Netflix’s most-watched animated feature since its June debut.
The upbeat anthem “Golden,” a standout track from the film’s soundtrack, has surged three places to claim the number one spot on the Official UK Singles Chart, surpassing Justin Bieber in this week’s top 40.
Ejae, co-writer and performer of “Golden,” shared with BBC Newsbeat that she feels “honored” by the song’s success.
“It’s like I’m surfing for the first time, and a massive wave just came through,” she explains.
“And I’m trying my best to get through it.”
Ejae provides the vocals for Rumi, one of the three members of the girl group HUNTR/X.
In addition to performing songs on the soundtrack, she also co-wrote “Your Idol,” “How It’s Done,” and “Hunter’s Mantra.”
She told Newsbeat that her involvement in the final recordings happened organically.
“I’ve been singing all the demos while writing the songs,” she says.
“I guess we got used to me singing it. And they were like: ‘Hey, do you want to sing?'”
“I was just like: ‘Why not?'”
Ejae describes the outpouring of support as “overwhelming.”
She has gained nearly 100,000 Instagram followers in a month and is adjusting to being in the spotlight rather than “working behind the scenes.”
Ejae stated that the *KPop Demon Hunters* team knew “Golden” was a “banger” during its creation but didn’t anticipate its immense popularity.
Ejae offers a theory as to why the song has resonated with so many fans.
“I think we’re in a time right now where we need hope, and people are wanting that,” she says.
“And this song is very hopeful, it just lifts your voice and it’s a very powerful song.”
“I think maybe that’s what people need right now.”
According to the Official Charts Company, this marks the first K-pop single to top the UK chart since PSY’s “Gangnam Style” in 2012.
Carl Smith, editor for the Official Charts Company, tells Newsbeat it is a “sign of how popular K-pop is right now”.
“Golden” is performed in the film by girl band HUNTR/X, consisting of Rumi, Mira, and Zoey.
They face off against demon boyband the Saja Boys – whose single Your Idol climbed to number 10 in this week’s chart.
Smith notes that both songs are “amazing pop songs with great melodies,” and the film allows fans to “visualize their new favorite band.”
The last time an animated film soundtrack reached number one was when single “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” from Disney’s Encanto, held the top spot for seven weeks in early 2022.
Smith believes “Golden” could have similar staying power.
“It could possibly be the song of the summer,” he says.
“I think its popularity transcends generations.”
Katy, who runs K-pop site Hallyu Doing, tells Newsbeat the success of KPop Demon Hunters is exciting for UK fans.
“I’m seeing people who are not K-pop fans that have seen the movie and are now looking into K-pop artists for real that they want to go and see,” she says.
Elsewhere in the charts, Drake and Central Cee scored the week’s highest new entry with their collab Which One landing at number four.
And music from Ozzy Osbourne, whose funeral was held in Birmingham this week, continued to climb the charts after his death.
Black Sabbath’s Paranoid climbed 12 places to the top 20, while Ozzy’s solo track Crazy Train hit number 25 – its highest-ever position in the UK.
Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays – or listen back here.
The second day of the Highland music festival will see headline performances by Supergrass and CMAT.
James B Partridge started his school bangers sing-alongs during Covid-19 lockdown.
The festival lasts until Sunday, with headliners including Sir Tom Jones and the Sugababes.
Thousands of people are expected to travel to the Devon town during the eight-day event.
Peaky Blinders writer Steven Knight tells the BBC writing Bond “has always been on my bucket list”.
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