"KPop Demon Hunters" Wins Big, Takes Home Oscars 2026 With Original Song 'Golden'
- riya siddacharjee
- 4 minutes ago
- 2 min read
KPop Demon Hunters concluded the 2026 awards season with remarkable success, taking home two Oscars. The Netflix animated feature was honored with awards for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song, solidifying its impact both in film and music.
Emotional Victory for Best Animated Feature
Directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans shared the stage to accept the award for Best Animated Feature. Kang, visibly emotional, addressed the audience through tears. “For anyone who looks like me, I am deeply sorry it took this long for us to see ourselves represented in a film like this,” she said. “This is for Korea and for Koreans everywhere.” Their words resonated across the theater, highlighting the film’s significance beyond entertainment.
The movie’s standout song, “Golden", also won the Oscar for Best Original Song. EJAE, who voices the character Rumi and contributed to writing the track, accepted the award. Fighting back tears, EJAE shared, “As a child, people made fun of me for loving K-pop. Now, everyone is singing our song, even the Korean lyrics. I am so proud. This award and the song are not about fame or success. They are about resilience.”
Due to time constraints, EJAE was the only group member allowed to speak on stage, prompting audible boos from the audience. Backstage, BlackLabel producer Yuhan, who had been cut off, delivered his remarks. “I want to thank our families, my fellow IDO members, and Teddy Park. This is an incredible honor,” he said.
“Golden” Becomes a Global Phenomenon
Before the Best Original Song award was announced, EJAE, Rei Ami, and Audrey Nuna performed a cinematic rendition of “Golden", captivating the audience as fans waved light sticks in rhythm. The track, a breakout hit from the film, achieved mainstream success, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 last year.
KPop Demon Hunters has become Netflix’s most popular title ever. The film follows Huntrix, a K-pop girl group of three members who balance their music careers with battling monsters from the underworld. The soundtrack also made waves, spending several weeks in the top ten of the Billboard 200.
The film has already made history in 2026, winning two Golden Globes and marking K-pop’s first Grammy victory. Its blend of animation, music, and cultural representation has firmly established it as a global phenomenon.