The 98th Academy Awards turned into a historic night for animation and global music as Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters walked away with two major Oscars, including Best Animated Feature. The film, which has already become one of Netflix’s biggest global hits, continued its unstoppable awards run by beating strong contenders like Arco, Elio, Little Amélie or the Character of Rain, and Zootopia 2.
What made the victory even more special was the historic milestone it created. With the win, director Maggie Kang and producer Michelle L.M. Wong became the first Asian women ever to win the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature — a moment that drew emotional reactions both on stage and across the global animation community.
A Massive Awards Season for the Animated Hit
KPop Demon Hunters had already been dominating awards season long before the Oscars. The animated action-musical took home the Golden Globe, the Critics’ Choice Award, and the Producers Guild Award for Best Animated Film. It also swept the Annie Awards — the animation industry’s most prestigious honors — with an impressive ten trophies.
Produced by Sony Animation and released by Netflix, the film was directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, with Michelle L.M. Wong serving as producer. The story blends the global phenomenon of K-pop with fantasy action, following a group of pop idols who secretly battle supernatural forces while performing on the world stage.
During her emotional acceptance speech, Kang thanked fans who supported the film and spoke about the importance of representation in animation.
“Thank you to the Academy and to all the fans who got us here,” she said tearfully. “And to those of you who look like me — I’m sorry it took so long for us to see ourselves in a movie like this. But it’s finally here, and that means the next generations don’t have to keep waiting. This is for Korea and for Koreans everywhere.”
“Golden” Makes Oscar History for K-Pop
The film didn’t just win in animation. Its breakout anthem “Golden” also captured the Oscar for Best Original Song, making history as the first K-pop song ever to win the award.
The track beat several high-profile nominees including “I Lied To You” from Sinners, Diane Warren’s “Dear Me” from the documentary Diane Warren: Relentless, the title song from Train Dreams by Nick Cave and Bryce Dessner, and Nicholas Pike’s “Sweet Dreams of Joy” from Viva Verdi!.
The song was written by EJAE, Mark Sonnenblick, and South Korea’s Black Label music team — including Yu Han Lee, Hee Dong Nam, and Zhun. Their victory marked another historic milestone, as they became the first Koreans ever to win the Oscar for Best Original Song.
EJAE, who also provides the singing voice for the film’s lead character Rumi, became emotional while accepting the award. She reflected on her personal journey and how K-pop had once been mocked during her early years.
“Growing up, people made fun of me for loving K-pop,” she said. “Now everyone is singing our song — even the Korean lyrics. I’m so proud.”
She added that the award represented resilience more than success, thanking the entire cast and creative team behind the film.
A Personal Story Behind the Song
In earlier interviews, EJAE revealed that working on KPop Demon Hunters had been a deeply personal experience. As a young performer, she had once trained to become a K-pop idol but was eventually dropped by her agency. She recalled being told her voice was “too low” and not suited for pop music.
That painful experience later became the emotional fuel behind the songs she wrote for the film.
“I carried a lot of shame about being dropped as a trainee,” she said previously. “But this film helped me embrace that part of myself. The pain actually became a superpower that helped me write these songs.”
Writing and performing “Golden,” she said, allowed her to finally accept her voice and regain confidence as both a singer and songwriter.
“This movie saved me, honestly,” she said.
Sequel Already in the Works
The success of KPop Demon Hunters is only the beginning. Netflix has already confirmed that a sequel is in development, with Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans returning to write and direct the next chapter.
The follow-up film is reportedly targeting a 2029 release and will be part of a new multi-year creative deal between the filmmakers and Netflix focused on animated projects.
Final Words
With two historic Oscar wins and a global fanbase that continues to grow, KPop Demon Hunters has quickly become one of the most influential animated films in recent years. Its blend of music, fantasy, and cultural storytelling has resonated with audiences worldwide — and its success marks a powerful moment for representation in both animation and global pop culture.
For Maggie Kang, EJAE, and the entire creative team, the film’s Oscar victory isn’t just about trophies — it’s about opening doors for the next generation of storytellers.
