The Global Impact of “Golden”
Released as the official theme song of the Netflix animated film KPOP Demon Hunters, it quickly climbed to the top of both the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Official Singles Chart. As of September 7, 2025, its YouTube MV has surpassed 300 million views, solidifying its status as one of the most beloved OSTs of the year.
HUNTR/X also made history by becoming the first K-pop group to top the U.S. Spotify Daily Chart, an incredible feat that shows how far K-pop has come in the international music scene.
I remember watching a video of fans overseas doing a mass singalong of “Golden,” and it was both heartwarming and amusing. While the crowd belted out the English lines confidently, most people just mumbled the Korean parts. That inspired me to write this post: to break down the Korean lyrics in Golden, explain their meanings, and help fans appreciate the song more deeply.
What is KPOP Demon Hunters
Genre: Family, Comedy, Fantasy
Age Rating: 12+
Runtime: 99 minutes
Directors: Maggie Kang & Chris Appelhans
Release Date: June 20, 2025 (Netflix exclusive)
Set in a highly stylized version of Seoul, KPOP Demon Hunters tells the story of HUNTRIX, a wildly popular K-pop girl group who double as demon hunters. Their mission? To complete the legendary Golden Gate of Souls and protect the world from demonic threats.
Things get intense when a rival boy group called Saja Boyz ,who are secretly demons in disguise, show up and shake everything up. Despite its deeply Korean concept, the film was not made in Korea. It was produced by Sony Pictures Animation (the team behind Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse) and distributed exclusively by Netflix worldwide.
Full Lyrics of “Golden” by HUNTR/X
(Korean and English lyrics excerpted)
I was a ghost, I was alone, hah
어두워진, hah, 앞길속에 (Ah)
Given the throne,
I didn’t know how to believe
I was the queen that I’m meant to be
I lived two lives, tried to play both sides
But I couldn’t find my own place
Called a problem child
’cause I got too wild
But now that’s how I’m getting paid,
끝없이 on stage
I’m done hidin’, now I’m shinin’
like I’m born to be
We dreamin’ hard, we came so far,
now I believe
We’re goin’ up, up, up, it’s our moment
You know together we’re glowing
Gonna be, gonna be golden
Oh, up, up, up with our voices
영원히 깨질 수 없는
Gonna be, gonna be golden
Oh, I’m done hidin’ now I’m shinin’
like I’m born to be
Oh, our time, no fears, no lies
That’s who we’re born to be
Waited so long to break these
walls down To wake up and feel like me
Put these patterns all in the past now
And finally live like the girl they all see
No more hiding, I’ll be shining
like I’m born to be
‘Cause we are hunters, voices strong,
and I know I believe
We’re goin’ up, up, up, it’s our moment
You know together we’re glowing
Gonna be, gonna be golden
Oh, up, up, up, with our voices
영원히 깨질 수 없는
Gonna be, gonna be golden
Oh, I’m done hidin’, now I’m shining
like I’m born to be
Oh, our time, no fears, no lies
That’s who we’re born to be
You know we’re gonna be,
gonna be golden
We’re gonna be, gonna be
Born to be, born to be glowin’
밝게 빛나는 우린
You know that it’s our time, no fears, no lies
That’s who we’re born to be
How to read the Korean lyric parts
어두워진 [eo-du-wo-jin]
Meaning: “Darkened” or “became dark”
This word comes from the verb 어둡다 (to be dark). It’s used to describe the environment or mood that has become darker.
앞길 속에 [ap-ggil-so-ge]
Meaning: “In the path ahead”
앞길=the road ahead, 속에=inside of
Together, it reflects uncertainty about the future.
끝없이 [kkeu-deop-ssi]
Meaning: “Endlessly”
This adverb emphasizes a continuous, never-ending action like how idols perform endlessly on stage.
영원히 깨질 수 없는 [young-wo-ni-ggae-jil-ssu-eom-neun]
Meaning: “Can never be broken forever”
영원히=forever, 깨질 수 없는=unbreakable
A poetic line showing unity and strength.
밝게 빛나는 우린 [bal-gge-bin-na-neun-u-rin]
Meaning: “We shine brightly”
밝게=brightly, 빛나는=shining, 우린=we
A powerful image of self-worth and radiance.
Singers Can’t Stop Covering
“Golden” is a vocalist’s dream. It has everything — haunting low tones, powerful high notes, and emotionally rich harmonies. The structure is easy to follow but allows room for vocal expression, which is why it’s being covered by so many artists worldwide.
Personally, I was blown away by NMIXX’s Lily, whose tone mirrors the original vocals almost perfectly. IVE’s Ahn Yujin also delivered an impressive cover, showing her vocal growth and stage presence.
It’s not just idols jumping on the trend. YouTubers, indie singers, and even opera trainees are posting their own versions of “Golden.” It’s becoming a true vocal standard.
Who’s your K-pop bias? Wanna say something sweet to them in Korean? Take a look at the previous post! : To your Bias : 6 Sweet Korean Phrases You Can Say to Your Bias
