From animated idols smashing Billboard to Daddy Yankee’s comeback and TWICE’s 10th birthday — here’s your Hot Takes & Cold Tea for July 15.
1) “K-Pop Demon Hunters” Dominates the Music Charts
The girls and boys of “K-Pop Demon Hunters” are not just slaying the Netflix charts, but they are slaying the music charts as well! 🤩
Last week, two out of the twelve track OST of “K-Pop Demon Hunters” entered the coveted Billboard Hot 100 charts. 😲 Now those two songs ‘Golden’ by Huntr/X has sky rocketed from No. 81 to No. 23 this week, while Saja Boys’ ‘Your Idol’ soared onto No. 31 spot from No. 77 last week. 🤯
But wait! Five more tracks entered the Hot 100 this week, and the whole OST itself landed at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 from No.8 last week.
Here are the new chart entries:
- No. 42: How It’s Done – HUNTRIX
- No. 49: Soda Pop – Saja Boys
- No. 55: What It Sounds Like – HUNTRIX
- No. 58: Free – Rumi & Jinu (EJAE & Andrew Choi)
- No. 64: Takedown – HUNTRIX
But it’s not just the Billboard chart that Netflix’s “K-Pop Demon Hunters” has dominated. Meanwhile, on Spotify’s Top 50 Global, six of the film’s 12 OST tracks also charted on July 13 2025:
- No. 4: Golden – HUNTRIX
- No. 10: Your Idol – Saja Boys
- No. 15: Soda Pop – Saja Boys
- No. 17: How It’s Done – HUNTRIX
- No. 27: What It Sounds Like – HUNTRIX
- No. 31: Free – Rumi & Jinu
- No. 36: Takedown – HUNTRIX
🎵 Other Korean Artists Charting This Week:
- Rosé with APT (No. 27) and On My Mind (No. 60) – (Read my Review! )
- KATSEYE with Gabriela (No. 87) – (Read My Review!) and Gnarly (No. 96)
- BLACKPINK’s Jump holds No. 2 on Spotify Global – (Read My Review!)
👩🏻🍵 Kayla’s Thoughts:
Let me just say… What. A. Week. For Korean artists. 👏 Yes, K-pop has been in the music scene for quite some years already, but have you seen a week where so many K-POP songs have been in the charts- all at once?
K-pop isn’t just in the charts—it’s also dominating across music and film. To see an animated OST with this kind of traction is totally rad! We’re not in the niche anymore, besties. The mainstream is finally catching up. 😋
Such as proud moment. 😎 Oh, by the way, don’t miss my upcoming review of “K-Pop Demon Hunters” as well!
2) Twice Celebrates Ten Year Anniversary with Album & World Tour
On July 11, K-pop girl group TWICE released ‘This is For‘ MV and their fourth full-length album ‘This is For’ in celebration of their ten year anniversary since debuting in 2015. This marks their comeback as a group in 3 years and 8 months.
The 14-track album was dedicated to their fans for supporting them for 10 years and aimed to uplift fans with positive messages such as unity, strength and confidence. Members also split into units to explore new sounds:
Unit Songs from This is For album:
- BATTITUDE – Nayeon, Jungyeon, Momo, Mina
- DAT AHH DAT OOH – Sana, Jihyo, Dahyun, Chaeyoung, Tzuyu
- LET LOVE GO – Jungyeon, Momo, Sana, Tzuyu
- G.O.A.T – Mina, Dahyun, Chaeyoung
- Talk – Nayeon, Jihyo
They will kick-off their world tour, with their Asian leg of the tour starting on July 19–20 in Incheon, with stops across Japan, Macao, Singapore, Australia, and more. They’re also set to headline Lollapalooza Chicago on August 2.
👩🏻🍵 Kayla’s Thoughts:
I was honestly surprised that TWICE had dropped the song and album on the same day as Blackpink’s single. Because I actually had no idea it was released. 🥲 Who would dare to go on the same day as Blackpink? Like what was JYP thinking?
Because I can tell you that all eyes and ears were on how Blackpink’s new single ‘Jump’ would turn on after that disastrous reaction to their concert clip. 👀 (To hear and see what the music would actually sound like!)
While the album may be solid, some Korean fans were disappointed that the title track is entirely in English. With Korean artists dominating globally, now’s the time to lean in, not out -especially the Korean language! There was even a comment that says ”JYP cannot read the trend and that’s why once again, TWICE is no match for Blackpink.”
Still, I’m planning to share a full music video review soon… and yes, I’ll be fair. 😉 Stay tuned.
3. Daddy Yankee Comes Out of Retirement for HYBE Latin America
Ok. Technically, Daddy Yankee did not come out of retirement “for” HYBE Latin America. 😅
But… the king of reggaeton is back! 🎤
On July 10, Daddy Yankee announced his return from retirement with a new single Sonríele and a surprise signing to HYBE Latin America.
The iconic hit artist—best known for Gasolina and Despacito—called this move a “new beginning,” not a comeback. In a press release, he shared about his new track ‘Sonríele’ :
This isn’t about a comeback. It’s about connection. Life’s not perfect, but we have to smile through it. This song was born from what we live every day — it’s my way of telling people not to give up, to appreciate the little things, and never let anyone take their joy away.”
👩🏻🍵 Kayla’s Thoughts:
Ok… so you may be confused as to why I would be covering a comeback of a latino artist. Hear me out.
This news was an unexpected cross-over between Korea (HYBE, although technically this is the latin america division) and a singer who has made it big in the states. So I thought, why not cover this news!
Also, as someone who enjoyed both ‘Gasolina’ and ‘Despacito’ (thanks to Justin Bieber)… it is embarassing to say that I had no idea that he had retired at all. 😅 So honestly, this was an exciting news for me. At the same time, this is a wild and exciting move for both him and HYBE and I wish him luck!
With HYBE supporting his comeback, will he be making another iconic hit song that will make another mark in the Billboards? Will he make be making another hit that will make the whole world dance to it? Time will tell!
