The global rise of Korean-pop reached a historic milestone at the 98th Academy Awards as the hit song “Golden” from the animated movie “KPop Demon Hunters” won the Oscar for Best Original Song.
Performed by vocalists EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami as the fictional K-pop group Huntrix, the electrifying anthem has been one of the most celebrated tracks of the past year.
It was written by EJAE, Mark Sonnenblick, Teddy Park, and producers known as 24 and Ido.
The victory marked a defining cultural moment not only for the film industry but also for Korean music on the world stage. It is the first K-pop track ever to claim the prestigious award.
During the emotional acceptance speech, EJAE proudly emphasised her heritage and the journey.
“Growing up, people made fun of me for liking K-Pop, but now everyone is singing our song and all of the Korean lyrics. I’m so proud,,” the artist said tearfully, as quoted by Variety news outlet.
“This award is not about success. It’s about resilience and I’m just so grateful to our team. I want to thank the resilient cast of [KPop] Demon Hunters,” she added.
In her prior interview, EJEA shared that writing “Golden” helped her “accept her voice and challenged her to sing and to be more confident”.
“This movie saved me to be honest. It is just so beautiful and I feel so accepted. So thank you to the fans so much,” she said.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Movie news: ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ to return with new sequel
A global sensation
The song’s triumph capped an extraordinary awards season.
Before the Oscars, “Golden” had already won at the Golden Globes and earned a Grammy for Best Song Written for Visual Media, becoming the first K-pop track to win both awards.
The animated feature “KPop Demon Hunters” also celebrated another major win that evening, taking home the Oscar for Best Animated Feature.
Directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, the film follows a K-pop girl group secretly fighting supernatural forces while balancing their lives as global pop stars.
Since its release, the soundtrack and especially “Golden” have become global sensations, topping charts in dozens of countries and cementing K-pop’s influence across film, music and pop culture.
For fans and creators alike, the Oscar victory signals a turning point: K-pop is no longer just a genre dominating charts—it is now officially part of Hollywood history.
READ NEXT: ‘The King’s Warden’ offers hope for struggling Korean cinema
Angelica N. Hall 
Shameeka Voyiya