In a historic moment for Korean popular music, critics and fans have warmly welcomed South Korea's first major Grammy Award victory. The winning song, "Golden," featured in the hit animated film "KPop Demon Hunters," secured the Best Song Written for Visual Media category on Monday, described widely as a significant breakthrough for the genre.
A Long-Awaited Triumph
The track, performed by Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami as the fictional girl group Huntrix in the film, claimed an accolade that had long eluded the K-pop industry despite its immense global popularity. For years, major K-pop acts like the megagroup BTS have faced multiple nominations since 2021 across various categories but have yet to be recognized at the music industry's most prestigious night.
Opening New Pathways
One YouTube commentator, using the handle striderz1971, highlighted that neither BTS nor Blackpink had managed to score a Grammy previously. They remarked that "a path had now been forced open" with this win, suggesting that "with that barrier now breached, K-pop artists may finally begin to receive the recognition they deserve."
South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung praised the achievement, hailing it as the opening of a "new chapter in K-pop history." On social media platform X, he stated, "This marks the first time a K-pop composer or producer has won a Grammy Award. I extend my warmest congratulations on this remarkable achievement."
Challenges and Recognition
Music columnist Kim Do-hoon, in an interview with AFP, pointed out that the Grammys had historically sidelined K-pop due to what he described as its "cookie-cutter format." He explained, "The Grammys have traditionally placed strong emphasis on musical quality -- an area in which K-pop is not widely recognised." Additionally, Kim noted that the awards are known for avoiding heavily produced music, a common characteristic in many K-pop productions.
Notable Nominations
"Golden" was also nominated for the prestigious Song of the Year category, competing alongside "APT.," a high-octane opening performance by K-pop idol Rose and Bruno Mars at the ceremony. However, Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas O'Connell won the coveted Song of the Year award for "Wildflower," a result that surprised some observers given the crowded and competitive field.
Major Milestones for South Korea
While South Korea has previously won Grammys in technical and classical categories, the award for "Golden" represents the first-ever Grammy for a K-pop production. This milestone has been quickly celebrated by South Korean media, with outlets emphasizing the significance of the song's success in a major award category.
The Yonhap news agency, using the shorthand title "Kedehun" for the film, which has gained widespread adoption in South Korea, reported in a headline: "'Kedehun,' which has captivated the world, has triumphed at the Grammys."
Conservative Perceptions Overcome
The Kyunghyang Shinmun daily noted that until now, the Grammys had stopped short of honoring K-pop acts, describing the awards show as "a conservative awards show that is not particularly open to diverse music genres, making it difficult for K-pop to break through." Despite "Golden" and "APT." not winning Song of the Year, the newspaper highlighted that their nominations alone were "meaningful milestones" for the industry, signaling a potential shift in recognition and acceptance on the global stage.
