In a groundbreaking achievement for animated cinema and K-Pop culture, Netflix's wildly popular film 'KPop Demon Hunters' has secured a historic double nomination at the prestigious 98th Academy Awards. This remarkable feat follows the movie's triumphant success at earlier award ceremonies including the Golden Globes and Critics' Choice Awards, solidifying its position as a cultural phenomenon.
Historic Oscar Recognition for K-Pop and Korean-Canadian Talent
On Thursday, the Academy announced that 'KPop Demon Hunters' received nominations in two major categories: Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song for its track titled 'Golden'. This nomination represents a significant milestone on multiple fronts, as it marks the first time a film directed by Korean-Canadian filmmaker Maggie Kang has achieved this level of Oscar recognition. Furthermore, it establishes 'Golden' as the first K-Pop song in history to receive an Academy Award nomination, breaking new ground for the global music genre.
Filmmakers Express Gratitude to Academy and Fans
The creative team behind the animated hit released an official statement through the film's Instagram account, expressing their profound appreciation. "THANK YOU to the Academy for nominating KPop Demon Hunters for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song," the statement read. "And thank YOU the one reading this. We could never have gotten here without our fans' support." This heartfelt message underscores the crucial role that audience enthusiasm played in the film's journey to Oscar recognition.
Competitive Landscape in Both Categories
'Golden' Enters Fierce Best Original Song Race
The nominated track 'Golden' is performed by the fictional girl-band Huntr/x within the film's universe, with vocal contributions from artists EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami bringing the song to life. In the highly competitive Best Original Song category, 'Golden' will compete against several other acclaimed compositions:
- 'Train Dreams' from the film of the same name
- 'Dear Me' from 'Diane Warren: Relentless'
- 'I Lied To You' from 'Sinners'
- 'Sweet Dreams Of Joy' from 'Viva Verdi!'
Animated Feature Category Showdown
The film was confirmed as eligible for the 2026 Best Animated Feature category last year, and now faces formidable competition from other animated contenders:
- 'Arco'
- 'Elio'
- 'Little Amélie or the Character of Rain'
- 'Zootopia 2'
About the Groundbreaking Film
'KPop Demon Hunters' follows the adventures of three protagonists - Rumi, Mira, and Zoey - who lead double lives as K-Pop superstars and supernatural protectors. By day, they captivate audiences with their musical performances, while secretly using their musical powers and voices to shield their fans from otherworldly threats. Despite being released directly to digital platforms without a traditional theatrical run, the film achieved extraordinary success, becoming Netflix's most popular movie of all time. It dominated the number one streaming spot for multiple consecutive weeks and topped music charts globally.
Award Season Dominance Continues
The film's Oscar nominations cap an impressive award season run that began earlier this month when 'KPop Demon Hunters' and its signature song 'Golden' took home the Golden Globe award. Additionally, 'Golden' has earned three Grammy nominations, including the highly coveted Song of the Year category, demonstrating the track's cross-industry appeal and artistic merit.
