K-Pop Demon Hunters Makes History: “Golden” Wins Best Original Song at the Oscars

The global rise of K-pop reached a historic milestone when the hit song “Golden” from the animated film KPop Demon Hunters won Best Original Song at the Academy Awards. The achievement marks the first time a K-pop song has ever won an Oscar, signaling a powerful moment for international music and pop culture. (The Guardian)

Performed by EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami, the track has become a worldwide sensation, blending cinematic storytelling with the infectious energy of K-pop.

A Historic Win for K-Pop at the Oscars

The song “Golden” officially won the Oscar for Best Original Song, beating strong contenders from several major films. The award was presented during the ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, with the artists delivering an emotional acceptance speech celebrating the global rise of K-pop music. (Pitchfork)

This win is particularly significant because it marks the first Oscar victory in this category for a K-pop song, further proving the genre’s massive international impact. (The Guardian)

The track was written by a team including EJAE and producers such as Teddy Park, making it a landmark moment for Korean musicians in Hollywood.

About the Film: K-Pop Meets Supernatural Action

KPop Demon Hunters is an animated action-fantasy film that follows a K-pop girl group who secretly live double lives as demon hunters. The characters balance global superstardom with protecting fans from supernatural threats. (Reuters)

The story centers on the fictional group Huntr/x, whose members fight demons while maintaining their pop-star image. The film quickly became one of Netflix’s biggest hits and gained a massive fan following worldwide. (Reuters)

In addition to the music award, the film also took home Best Animated Feature, making it one of the biggest winners of the night.

The Song “Golden”: A Global Phenomenon

The song Golden quickly became a cultural phenomenon. After its release, the track dominated streaming charts and built a strong global fanbase.

Key achievements of the song include:

• First K-pop song to win an Oscar

• Winner of Best Song Written for Visual Media at the Grammys

• Major awards at the Golden Globes and Critics’ Choice Awards

• Millions of streams worldwide and chart success across multiple countries (Wikipedia)

Its empowering lyrics and energetic production helped it resonate with both movie fans and music listeners.

A Show-Stopping Performance at the Ceremony

Before winning the award, the singers performed “Golden” live during the ceremony, delivering one of the night’s most memorable musical moments. The stage was filled with gold-themed choreography and dynamic visuals that energized the audience. (People.com)

Many celebrities in attendance were seen enjoying the performance, proving that K-pop’s influence now extends deep into Hollywood.

Why This Oscar Win Matters

This victory represents more than just a trophy—it highlights the growing influence of Korean music and culture worldwide.

Key impacts include:

• Expanding global recognition for K-pop artists

• Strengthening collaborations between Hollywood and Korean creators

• Increasing representation of Asian artists in major film awards

• Demonstrating the global reach of animated musical films

With both Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song, the film has set a new benchmark for international storytelling in Hollywood.

The Future of K-Pop in Global Cinema

The success of “Golden” and KPop Demon Hunters proves that global audiences are eager for stories that combine diverse cultures with high-energy music.

As K-pop continues to dominate streaming platforms and global charts, it’s likely we’ll see more collaborations between Korean artists and international filmmakers.

The Oscar win may only be the beginning of a new era where K-pop becomes a regular force in film soundtracks and Hollywood productions.