Netflix’s cultural phenomenon kpop demon hunters won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature at the Oscars on Sunday, the latest milestone for a film that has already swept awards shows and recorded unprecedented streaming numbers.
Kpop Demon Hunters Claims Animated Feature Oscar
The animated feature secured the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature at the 98th Academy Awards on the ceremony night. The film had been nominated in two major categories, competing for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song. The win marks a high point in an awards season that saw the film previously take top honors at other major ceremonies.
‘Golden, ’ Chart Success and Earlier Trophies
While the film collected the animated feature prize, its flagship track, “Golden, ” had already earned significant recognition earlier in the season. The song won Best Song Written for Visual Media at the 68th Grammy Awards and the film captured Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song at the Golden Globes. “Golden” also topped major singles charts, reaching number one on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the British Official Singles Chart.
“Golden” is a collaborative work credited to prominent Korean producers including Teddy, 24 and the collective IDO — Lee Yu-han, Kwak Joong-gyu and Nam Hee-dong — with EJAE providing the in-film vocals for the character Rumi. The track is performed in the film by the fictional girl group Huntrix, represented by EJAE, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami.
Impact, Creators and On-Stage Plans
Directed by Maggie Kang, the action-fantasy follows three K-pop superstars — Rumi, Mira and Zoey — who secretly protect the world from evil spirits. The animated feature became the most-watched title in Netflix history with over 500 million cumulative views and has driven real-world interest in cultural sites, boosting visitor numbers to the National Museum of Korea and increasing tourism to Seoul landmarks featured in the film.
The awards ceremony had been slated to include a live performance of “Golden” by EJAE, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami, and the cast roster included the actor who voiced a lead character. The film’s awards run — spanning major wins at the Golden Globes and the Grammys prior to the Academy Award — has been framed as historic for K-pop creators and composers.
Fans of kpop demon hunters have watched the title’s rise from a streaming release to an awards-season juggernaut, with industry recognition underscoring the film’s cross-border cultural influence. The Academy Award for Best Animated Feature adds a significant credential to the film’s unprecedented commercial and critical success.
