Nurses and ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Save Lives with ‘Golden’ CPR Challenge
Image sources: @sammyinreallife13, @janellerohner
Step aside, K-pop idols — the real stars making hearts beat stronger are nurses, who are turning every code blue into a viral sensation with the infectious rhythm of “Golden” from KPop Demon Hunters.
If you missed the limited theatrical run of the animated blockbuster, don’t worry: it’s streaming worldwide on Netflix, racking up mind-blowing viewership records and even inspiring a social media CPR challenge that’s raising real awareness for hands-only lifesaving skills.
What Is ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ — And Why Is Netflix Obsessed?
KPop Demon Hunters is the animated movie where music meets supernatural adventure — think K-pop girl group (called HUNTR/X) moonlighting as demon hunters, fighting for their fans and the fate of the world all while dropping top-charting hits (four on the Billboard Hot 100 so far, the first film soundtrack to do so).
The film’s vibrant animation, wild fantasy battles, and Billboard-dominating soundtrack have turned it into Netflix’s most-watched film release ever, holding a record streak at No. 1 and regularly popping up in “most-streamed” lists. You can catch the movie and its sing-along edition exclusively on Netflix.
If anyone’s qualified to fight off demonic emergencies and restore the rhythm of life, it’s nurses. Like the HUNTR/X squad, nurses…
- Slay pathogens, infection, fatigue.
- Juggle wild night shifts with “worldwide stardom” — if dodging demons isn’t enough, try tackling short staffing and singing along to code blue alarms.
- Perform high-stakes routines: The synchronized dance of CPR compressions really does rival any K-pop choreography.
- Could use some theme music for those adrenaline-pumping resus room moments. Imagine hitting play on “Golden” when starting real CPR — talk about cinematic vibes!
So it’s a fun metaphor: HUNTR/X uses “Golden” to fight literal demons. Nurses use “Golden” to fight literal emergencies — cardiac arrest, collapse, etc. When nurses do CPR, they want that strength, clarity, confidence — just like HUNTR/X stepping on stage.
The American Heart Association wants everyone to push hard and fast — at a tempo of 100–120 beats per minute (BPM) — when performing chest compressions during CPR. That’s the sweet spot to maximize chances of effective blood flow to vital organs. Too slow, and you don’t push enough; too fast, and you might not let the chest recoil enough. The right song can help keep that pace, turning a stressful moment into a rhythm-driven performance.
Nurses across Instagram and TikTok are using the KPop Demon Hunters’ Golden to take up the #CPRChallenge. Though technically “Golden” comes in at 123 BPM, that isn’t stopping the social media CPR craze — nurses in scrubs, stethoscopes, and moves worthy of a world tour.
“Golden” is joining a long tradition of “life-saving hits” — here are a few Billboard’s CPR-approved tracks that nurses love to use for training (or in dance breaks between shifts):
- “Stayin’ Alive” by Bee Gees
- “Please, Please, Please” by Sabrina Carpenter
- “Crazy in Love” by Beyoncé
- “Poker Face” by Lady Gaga
- “Daises” by Justin Bieber
- “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen
- “Dancing Queen” by ABBA
- “Baby Shark” by Pinkfong (yes, even this one…)
They all clock in around that 100–120 BPM tempo — just like “Golden.”
- Technique still matters: rate and depth of compressions, letting the chest recoil, minimizing interruptions. The song helps with rate but doesn’t replace training.
- Hands-only CPR works for adults who suddenly collapse. But for children or in other circumstances, traditional CPR (with rescue breaths) may be needed. Always follow whatever your training says.
- Don’t freeze: songs like “Golden” or “Stayin’ Alive” help reduce hesitation. When people know a song, they can use it in emergencies to stay calm and keep moving.
- Get certified / refreshed: being familiar helps — but knowing proper form, when to call EMS, how to use an AED are all vital.
It’s Not Just Fun: Nurses Are Saving Lives (And Making It Viral)
The CPR challenge isn’t just about music and moves — nurses use these viral moments to educate the public, encourage friends to get certified, and make resuscitation less intimidating. Every time “Golden” drops, that just might be one more life saved.
Want to join? Cue up “Golden” on Netflix or Spotify, grab a CPR manikin (or pillow), and post your best moves. You might just become a demon hunter in scrubs.
🤔 Have you watched KPop Demon Hunters? Would you use the song “Golden” for CPR? Let us know in the discussion forum below.
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