After months of anticipation and steady momentum, the soundtrack to KPop Demon Hunters has finally hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart in its 12th week. The surprise chart victory ends Sabrina Carpenter’s short reign at the top with her new album Man’s Best Friend, which slips to No. 2.
The achievement is especially noteworthy because it reflects the soundtrack’s remarkable staying power. It’s rare for a soundtrack to climb to the top after weeks on the charts, but KPop Demon Hunters has been buoyed by consistent streaming success, the release of a physical CD, and a deluxe edition packed with fan-favorite extras such as sing-alongs, instrumentals, and even a cappella versions.
With Taylor Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl looming on the horizon—an album expected to dominate charts worldwide—it’s safe to say KPop Demon Hunters’ victory arrives just in time. No matter what happens next, it will forever hold the title of a chart-topping album.
Sabrina Carpenter’s Chart Drop
Last week, Sabrina Carpenter made headlines when Man’s Best Friend debuted at No. 1, while her 2023 album Short n’ Sweet also surged back into the top 10. But as often happens with new releases, the initial spike of momentum faded quickly.
This week, Man’s Best Friend falls to No. 2, and Short n’ Sweet drifts down to No. 11. Although Sabrina remains a dominant force in pop music, her run at the top has been cut short by the unexpected power of the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack.
Justin Bieber’s Big Rebound
Another major chart story this week involves Justin Bieber, who made a powerful return to the top 10 thanks to a deluxe expansion of his album SWAG. Originally containing 21 tracks, SWAG was reissued as SWAG II, now boasting a staggering 44 tracks.
This expansion gave Bieber a significant streaming boost, propelling the project from No. 17 to No. 4. Although SWAG has yet to reach the No. 1 spot (it debuted at No. 2 earlier this year), the new surge proves Bieber’s enduring star power.
sombr Cracks the Top 10
A newer name making waves is sombr, whose album I Barely Know Her climbs from No. 12 to No. 10 in its third week. This steady rise, rather than peaking immediately at debut, shows the artist’s growing momentum.
Much of the attention can be credited to sombr’s performance at the MTV Video Music Awards, which boosted both streaming numbers and visibility. It’s a rare but exciting case of an emerging artist breaking into a space usually dominated by industry veterans.
Songs from KPop Demon Hunters Dominate the Hot 100
The success of the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack isn’t just limited to albums—it’s also dominating the Hot 100 singles chart.
The breakout hit “Golden” by HUNTR/X holds the No. 1 spot for a fifth nonconsecutive week, proving itself as one of the biggest anthems of the year.
In fact, the soundtrack has four songs in the Hot 100’s top 10 simultaneously, including Saja Boys’ infectious tracks “Your Idol” and “Soda Pop”, both sitting comfortably in the top five.
This type of multi-song dominance from one soundtrack album is rare and underscores the cultural impact KPop Demon Hunters has made since its release.
Justin Bieber’s “Daisies” Rises
Beyond albums, Bieber is also climbing the singles chart. His track “Daisies” rises to No. 10 this week, thanks to the streaming surge sparked by SWAG II.
This upward move pushes Teddy Swims’ “Lose Control” out of the top 10, ending its extraordinary run after 77 weeks—a record-breaking streak that redefined chart longevity in the streaming era.
Teddy Swims Makes Chart History
While Teddy Swims may no longer sit in the top 10, his track “Lose Control” still makes history. The song has now spent 108 weeks on the Hot 100, smashing the previous record held by Glass Animals’ 2020 hit “Heat Waves”, which lasted 91 weeks.
Swims’ achievement proves that streaming has fundamentally changed the way songs perform on charts. Tracks are no longer tied to fleeting radio cycles or CD sales—they can live on for years as long as listeners keep pressing play.
Hamilton’s 10-Year Victory Lap
Another fascinating story on the charts involves the 2015 original cast recording of Hamilton. Even a decade after its release, the album continues to thrive, rising from No. 33 to No. 13 this week.
This resurgence coincides with the musical’s 10-year anniversary and Disney’s theatrical re-release of the Hamilton film, which had previously been available on Disney+ since 2020. The theatrical version debuted at No. 2 at the box office behind The Conjuring: Last Rites and grossed over $15 million—impressive numbers for a filmed stage performance that many fans had already seen.
The renewed cultural spotlight helped the soundtrack regain momentum, reaffirming the musical’s status as one of the most beloved cultural phenomena of the last decade.
Streaming Has Changed the Game
This week’s charts make one thing abundantly clear: streaming is the driving force of modern music success.
- KPop Demon Hunters owes much of its rise to consistent streaming and creative reissues.
- Justin Bieber leveraged an expanded album to reignite attention.
- Teddy Swims shattered chart records thanks to a devoted streaming audience.
- Even Hamilton, a decade old, can resurge when cultural buzz aligns with accessibility.
The way listeners consume music has redefined what “chart success” looks like. Longevity, reissues, and anniversary celebrations now play as big a role as release-week hype.
What’s Next?
With KPop Demon Hunters now crowned a No. 1 album, the next big event on the charts will likely be the release of Taylor Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl. Swift’s albums historically dominate streaming and sales, which could reset the charts once again.
But for now, KPop Demon Hunters holds the spotlight, proving that a soundtrack can not only capture the cultural imagination but also outperform some of today’s biggest pop stars.