EJAE, Audrey Nuna and REI AMI Electrify 2025 Macy's Parade with KPop Demon Hunters' Hit 'Golden'

On 27th November, the streets of New York City, lined with families and festive cheers, witnessed a vibrant collision of pop culture and holiday tradition when HUNTR/X, the fictional K‑pop girl group behind the animated blockbuster 'KPop Demon Hunters,' took the stage at the 99th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. As the parade moved through Manhattan, the group, led by vocalists EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and REI AMI, performed their hit song 'Golden' in front of Macy's Herald Square. The event marked a rare moment when animation, music, and live spectacle where merged into one dazzling holiday performance.

A Parade Like No Other: 2025 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Takes Off

The 99th iteration of the enduring holiday custom, the 2025 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, began at 8:30 a.m. Eastern time and traveled almost 2.5 miles from West 77th Street and Central Park West to Macy' main shop at Herald Square. The Parade aired live on NBC and streamed on Peacock across all U.S. time zones, with a rebroadcast set for 2 p.m. ET on the same day. 

Image Courtesy: New York Post

As usual, the procession included a wide variety of entertainment icons, floats, balloons, and acts. The roster this year featured pop-culture superstars, Broadway performances, and musical artists, ranging from veteran bands to up-and-coming stars. Amid this rich tapestry, HUNTR/X stood out as perhaps the most unexpected and talked‑about act: a fictional K‑pop group from a hit animated film performing live on one of America's biggest holiday stages. 

In addition to music, the 2025 parade featured a cultural mash-up with tall character balloons, floats modeled after Hollywood franchises and blockbusters, and new fan‑favorite characters. Among the new balloons debuting this year were characters from franchises like Buzz Lightyear, Pac‑Man, Mario, and animated icons like Derpy Tiger from 'KPop Demon Hunters'—helping turn the parade into a global pop‑culture showcase. 

Image Courtesy: People

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HUNTR/X's 'Golden' Lights Up the Parade

The voices behind HUNTR/X, EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and REI AMI, arrived on the parade platform dressed entirely in black, accompanied by gold-gloved dancers and a huge balloon float of their animated character Derpy Tiger. Their performance of 'Golden,' the hit single from 'KPop Demon Hunters,' delivered powerful vocals and high energy, illuminating the parade route with lights, choreography, and a burst of fireworks that had the crowds cheering.

Image Courtesy: Billboard

Released earlier in July 2025, 'Golden' has already become a worldwide phenomenon, topping the Billboard charts in several countries, reaching the top spot on the Billboard Global charts, and even receiving numerous Grammy nominations, including Best Pop Duo/Group Performance and Song of the Year. The distinction between fictitious pop groups and actual music stars has become increasingly blur due to the animated film's soundtrack, which includes multiple songs that have made it into the Hot 100.

Image Courtesy: ABC News

HUNTR/X's participation in the parade is more than simply a commercial feature; it demonstrates the extent to which 'KPop Demon Hunters' has influenced modern pop culture. The parade appearance highlighted the project's increasing appeal and demonstrated how contemporary media properties can transcend forms to create shared moments of spectacle and celebration by fusing the success of animated films with live performances. As the singers belted out 'Golden' under the New York sky, it became clear: the era of K‑pop animation is here—and it's not just for streaming platforms anymore.

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