(ATTN: UPDATES throughout with film’s winning original song award; ADDS photos)
The animated sensation “KPop Demon Hunters” triumphed at the 98th Academy Awards, securing wins for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song for “Golden.” The awards ceremony was held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles.
These Oscar victories follow the film’s earlier success at the Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards in January, where it also won in the same categories. Last month, “Golden” made Grammy history as the first K-pop song to win Best Song Written for Visual Media.
As “Golden” played, co-director Maggie Kang, wearing a red dress, accepted the Best Animated Feature award with co-director Chris Appelhans and producer Michelle L.M. Wong, her voice filled with emotion.
“For those of you who look like me, I’m so sorry that it took us so long to see us in a movie like this,” said Kang, a Korean Canadian filmmaker. “But it is here, and that means that the next generation don’t have to go longing. This is for Korea and for Koreans everywhere.”
Later, “Golden” was announced as Best Original Song, marking a historic moment for K-pop.
Korean American singer Ejae, who performed and co-wrote “Golden,” gave an emotional speech, saying, “Growing up, you know, people made fun of me liking K-pop. But now, everyone’s singing our song, and all the creative lyrics, I’m so proud.” She added, “I realize the song is not about success — It’s about resilience, and I’m just so grateful to our team.”
Ejae was joined by co-lyricist Mark Sonnenblick and The Black Label composers Kwak Joong-gyu, Lee Yu-han, Nam Hee-dong and Seo Jeong-hoon.
“KPop Demon Hunters” follows Huntr/x, who balance their music careers with fighting demonic spirits, including the overlord Gwi-Ma and the soul-stealing Saja Boys.
The Sony Pictures Animation film, released on June 20 last year, quickly became a hit and Netflix’s most-watched movie.
Netflix recently confirmed that a sequel is in development, though a release date has not been announced.
