Trending Now - Kpop Demon Hunters Takes Home Oscar Amidst Mixed Reactions

WHO:

The Academy Awards ceremony took place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

Arden Cho was named one of The Associated Press' Breakthrough Entertainers of 2025.

The songwriting team for “Golden” includes EJAE, Mark Sonnenblick, Joong Gyu Kwak, Yu Han Lee, Hee Dong Nam, Jeong Hoon Seo, and Teddy Park.

Director Maggie Kang apologized in her acceptance speech, stating, “This is for Korea and Koreans everywhere.”

The HUNTR/X singers performed alongside Bad Bunny on the “Saturday Night Live” season premiere.

“KPop Demon Hunters” is directed by Maggie Kang.

The film features the Korean girl group HUNTR/X, consisting of Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami.

Arden Cho provided the speaking voice for the character Rumi.

The film's soundtrack includes the Grammy-winning hit “Golden.”

WHAT:

“KPop Demon Hunters” won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song at the 98th Academy Awards on March 15th, 2026.

The film has smashed Netflix viewership records with more than 500 million cumulative views since its release in 2025.

The soundtrack of “KPop Demon Hunters” produced the highest charting soundtrack of 2025 with eight songs landing on the Billboard Hot 100.

“Golden” won against tracks from “Diane Warren: Relentless,” “Sinners,” “Viva Verdi!” and “Train Dreams.”

“Golden” marks the first time in Academy history that a K-pop track has won an Oscar.

The songwriting team was cut off mid-acceptance speech during the Oscars, leading to gasps among backstage reporters.

EJAE stated, “We feel very grateful and very honored. We all worked so hard and this is such a collaborative effort.”

Lee expressed gratitude to families and fellow Idol members, stating, “This is an incredible honor.”

Sonnenblick mentioned, “It’s a movie where part of the movie is about looking at someone that you have been taught to hate and to fear and starting to trust, maybe even love them.”

“KPop Demon Hunters” has smashed Netflix viewership records with more than 500 million cumulative views since its release in 2025.

The film won the Academy Award for Best Original Song, besting tracks from “Diane Warren: Relentless,” “Sinners,” “Viva Verdi!” and “Train Dreams.”

EJAE, who contributed to vocals, lyrics, and composition for “Golden,” stated, “Growing up, people made fun of me for liking K-pop. Now everyone is singing our song, and in all of the Korean lyrics. I’m so proud. I realize this award is not about success. It’s about resilience.”

The awards ceremony featured a live performance of “Golden” by EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami, accompanied by percussionists and dancers in traditional Korean costumes.

“KPop Demon Hunters” won two Oscars: Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song.

“Frankenstein” won three Oscars: Best Production Design, Best Costume Design, and Best Makeup and Hairstyling.

“KPop Demon Hunters” won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film on March 15th, 2026.

The film topped both box-office and music charts.

The soundtrack landed eight songs on the Billboard Hot 100.

The film won big at several precursor awards, including the Producers Guild Awards and the Golden Globes.

Other nominees for the Oscar included “Arco,” “Elio,” “Little Amélie or the Character of Rain,” and “Zootopia 2.”

WHERE:

The film is set in a fantastical world influenced by Korean mythology and K-pop idol culture.

The film inspired many children’s Halloween costumes in the United States.

The HUNTR/X singers performed at Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

WHEN:

The Academy Awards ceremony took place on March 15th, 2026.

Arden Cho was named one of The Associated Press' Breakthrough Entertainers of 2025.

WHY:

Kang expressed pride in creating a film that represents Koreans, stating, “Thank you to the Academy and to all fans who got us here, and 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. But it is here. And that means that the next generations don’t have to go longing. This is for Korea and for Koreans everywhere.”

Kang aimed to break down cultural barriers by fully immersing viewers in Korean culture without extensive explanations for Western audiences.

Director Maggie Kang aimed to represent Korean culture and break down barriers by immersing viewers in the culture without extensive explanations for Western audiences.

The film's success reflects the global influence of South Korean pop culture.

HOW:

The live performance of “Golden” featured percussionists and dancers dressed in traditional Korean costumes, captivating the audience with Hollywood actors and industry officials waving lightsticks.

The live performance of “Golden” at the Oscars featured percussionists and dancers dressed in traditional Korean costumes, captivating the audience with Hollywood actors and industry officials waving lightsticks.

The impact of “KPop Demon Hunters” has increased visitor numbers to the National Museum of Korea and boosted tourism to Seoul landmarks featured in the movie.

Netflix announced on March 10th, 2026, that it will produce a sequel to the animated feature, with directors Kang and Chris Appelhans returning.

The film combines 2D anime aesthetics with 3D CGI stylizations to create its choppy animation style.

The narrative blends themes of self-acceptance with high-octane action and music.

(UPDATED March 16, 2026 13:19 UTC)

The 98th Academy Awards ceremony took place yesterday at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, where "KPop Demon Hunters" took home the Oscars for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song. Arden Cho was recognized as one of The Associated Press' Breakthrough Entertainers of 2025, while the film itself has shattered Netflix viewership records with over 500 million cumulative views since its release. During the live performance of "Golden," the audience was captivated by percussionists and dancers in traditional Korean costumes, as Hollywood actors and industry officials waved lightsticks in support.

(UPDATED March 16, 2026 07:19 UTC)

In a historic moment for the Academy, the K-pop track “Golden” has won an Oscar, marking the first time a song from this genre has achieved such recognition. The songwriting team, which includes EJAE, Mark Sonnenblick, and Teddy Park, was cut off mid-acceptance speech, prompting gasps from backstage reporters, but they expressed their gratitude for the honor and the collaborative effort that went into the song. During the live performance at the Oscars, the audience was captivated by percussionists and dancers in traditional Korean costumes, with Hollywood actors and industry officials waving lightsticks in support.

(UPDATED March 16, 2026 05:35 UTC)

"KPop Demon Hunters" has set a new Netflix viewership record, racking up over 500 million cumulative views since its release last year. The film also won the Academy Award for Best Original Song, with EJAE, who contributed to the track "Golden," expressing pride in the song's success and its representation of Korean culture. Following the film's impact, visitor numbers to the National Museum of Korea have surged, and Netflix announced on March 10 that a sequel is in the works, with directors Kang and Chris Appelhans returning to the project.

(UPDATED March 16, 2026 03:54 UTC)

At the Academy Awards ceremony held last Monday, "KPop Demon Hunters" took home two Oscars for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song, with Director Maggie Kang expressing her gratitude by saying, “This is for Korea and Koreans everywhere.” Meanwhile, "Frankenstein" also had a strong showing, winning three Oscars for Best Production Design, Best Costume Design, and Best Makeup and Hairstyling. The night featured a special performance by the HUNTR/X singers alongside Bad Bunny during the “Saturday Night Live” season premiere, showcasing a blend of cultures that Kang aimed to highlight in her work.

(UPDATED March 16, 2026 01:24 UTC)

"KPop Demon Hunters," directed by Maggie Kang, won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film at the Oscars held on March 15, 2026, topping both box-office and music charts. The film features the Korean girl group HUNTR/X, with Arden Cho providing the voice for the character Rumi, and its soundtrack includes the Grammy-winning hit “Golden,” landing eight songs on the Billboard Hot 100. Set in a fantastical world influenced by Korean mythology and K-pop culture, the film has inspired many children's Halloween costumes in the U.S. and showcases the global influence of South Korean pop culture.