(3rd LD) 'KPop Demon Hunters' wins Oscars for best animated feature, original song
2026.03.16 13:46
(3rd LD) 'KPop Demon Hunters' wins Oscars for best animated feature, original song
(ATTN: UPDATES with more details from ceremony in paras 12-16; ADDS photos, background info in 10th para)
SEOUL, March 16 (Yonhap) -- Netflix's "KPop Demon Hunters" capped its awards run Sunday (U.S. time) by taking Oscars for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song.
The sensational hit clinched a victory in Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song with "Golden" from its original soundtrack during the 98th Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles.
The dual Oscar wins follow earlier successes at the Golden Globes and the Critics Choice Awards in January, where the animated film swept the same categories. Last month, "Golden" also made history at the Grammy Awards as the first work in the K-pop genre to win Best Song Written for Visual Media.
As the movie's theme song "Golden" played, co-director Maggie Kang took the stage to accept the Best Animated Feature award in a red dress, alongside co-director Chris Appelhans and producer Michelle L.M. Wong, her voice breaking 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 in the ceremony, "Golden" was named Best Original Song, marking the first time a K-pop genre track has won the category.
Korean American singer Ejae, who performed and co-wrote the track, delivered an emotional acceptance 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 on stage by the song's 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" centers on Huntr/x, who live a double life, balancing their music careers with their duties as warriors who protect the world from demonic spirits, like the overlord Gwi-Ma and the soul-stealing Saja Boys.
Released on June 20 last year, the Sony Pictures Animation film became an instant hit and Netflix's most-watched movie of all time. Its songs also found massive success, with "Golden" becoming the first K-pop genre track ever to top both the Billboard Hot 100 and the British Official Singles Chart Top 100.
Last week, the streaming giant officially confirmed that a sequel is in the works, though no release date has been set.
The ceremony also featured a dazzling performance of "Golden" by Ejae, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami as Huntr/x following an opening sequence that blended cinematic narration, "pansori," a form of traditional Korean musical storytelling, and traditional Korean dance inspired by the film.
The performance drew enthusiastic cheers as Hollywood stars and filmmakers including Leonardo DiCaprio, Emma Stone and Steven Spielberg waved light sticks, evoking the atmosphere of a K-pop concert.
The night's top prize, Best Picture, went to "One Battle After Another," which also claimed Best Director for Paul Thomas Anderson and Best Supporting Actor for Sean Penn, and three other prizes.
Director Ryan Coogler's "Sinners," a major contender with 16 nominations, earned four wins, including Best Actor for Michael B. Jordan and Best Original Screenplay.
Best Actress went to Jessie Buckley for her portrayal of Agnes, the wife of Shakespeare, in "Hamnet," while Amy Madigan received Best Supporting Actress for her role in "Weapons."
jaeyeon.woo@yna.co.kr
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