The global dominance of Korean pop culture reached a historic milestone at the 98th Academy Awards, as the Netflix animated sensation KPop Demon Hunters secured two major Oscar victories. The film, which has captivated audiences worldwide with its vibrant portrayal of fictional K-pop groups, took home the awards for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song for its chart-topping track “Golden.” This unprecedented achievement not only solidifies the film’s status as a cultural phenomenon but also marks a significant breakthrough for Korean representation in the American film industry.
A Historic Night for Korean Representation
The victory for Best Animated Feature was particularly groundbreaking. Co-director and writer Maggie Kang, alongside producer Michelle Wong, became the first people of South Korean descent to win in this category. During her acceptance speech, Kang delivered a poignant message: “To all the fans who got us here and for all of those who look like me, sorry that it took us so long to see us in a movie like this. This is for Korea and for Koreans everywhere.” Co-director Chris Appelhans also emphasized the universal power of storytelling, encouraging young artists globally to share their unique voices.
“Golden” Shines on the Oscars Stage
The ceremony, hosted by Conan O’Brien, featured a spectacular live performance of the winning track “Golden.” The singers who voice the fictional girl group HUNTR/X—EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami—delivered an electrifying rendition that had Hollywood’s biggest stars, including Leonardo DiCaprio, waving yellow light sticks in the audience. As reported by Netflix Tudum, EJAE reflected on the journey, stating, “Growing up, people made fun of me for liking K-pop, but now everyone’s singing our song and all the Korean lyrics. I’m so proud. I realized that the song and this award [are] not about success, [they’re] about resilience.” “Golden” also made history earlier this year by becoming the first K-pop track to win a Grammy for Best Song Written for Visual Media.
The Unstoppable Rise of K-Culture
The success of KPop Demon Hunters extends far beyond awards season. Since its release in June 2025, it has become the most-watched film ever on Netflix, surpassing 480 million views in its first six months. The song “Golden” alone has amassed over a billion streams on Spotify and spent eight weeks at the top of the Billboard charts. According to The Dong-A Ilbo, international media outlets have praised the film for seamlessly incorporating Korean art and folkloric elements, elevating the global influence of K-pop to new heights. With a sequel already confirmed, the “KPop Demon Hunters phenomenon” shows no signs of slowing down, proving that the world is more than ready for Korean stories.
References
- Vanity Fair: KPop Demon Hunters Oscar Wins Mark an Historic Victory For Korean Pop Culture
- Netflix Tudum: KPop Demon Hunters and Frankenstein Score Major Wins at the Oscars
- The Dong-A Ilbo: ‘K-Pop Demon Hunters’ success signals global K-culture rise
