Los Angeles – History was made at the 98th Academy Awards on Sunday night as “Golden,” from the animated film “KPop Demon Hunters,” became the first K-pop song to win an Oscar for Best Original Song. The win marks a significant milestone for South Korean creatives and a watershed moment for the genre’s recognition on a global stage. The songwriting team, comprised of Mark Sonnenblick, Joong Gyu Kwak, Yu Han Lee, Hee Dong Nam, Jeong Hoon Seo, Teddy Park, and EJAE, who also voices the character Rumi, accepted the award to a standing ovation.
The emotional high point of the evening came during EJAE’s acceptance speech, where she shared a deeply personal story. “Growing up, people made fun of me for liking K-pop, but now everyone’s singing our song and all the Korean lyrics,” she said through tears, expressing both pride and gratitude. The win for “KPop Demon Hunters” extends beyond the song itself, as director Maggie Kang also made history as the first filmmaker of South Korean descent to win in the Best Animated Feature category.
Following the onstage ceremony, the songwriting team continued their expressions of gratitude in the press room, elaborating on the collaborative spirit behind the award-winning track. Yu Han Lee thanked his family and fellow writers, describing the moment as “an incredible honor.” Mark Sonnenblick extended his thanks to his husband and the entire animation team, highlighting the extensive collaboration that brought the film and its music to life.
“It was a real collaboration across the board,” Sonnenblick explained. “A part of the movie is about looking at someone you’ve been taught to hate and fear, and starting to trust, maybe even love, them. And that’s part of what the movie is about. It’s not, ‘I’m going up up up.’ It’s, ‘We’re going up up up.’ This whole movie is a great collaboration.”
EJAE also took a moment to acknowledge her fellow performers, Rei Ami and Audrey Nuna, who lent their voices to the song within the film. The performance of “Golden” at the Oscars itself was a vibrant celebration of Korean culture, featuring a fusion of traditional Korean instrumentalists and dancers, with performers waving golden flags as Ejae, Nuna, and Ami delivered a powerful rendition of the hit song.
“I was very nervous, but it was such an honor to be performing, it’s such an incredible stage,” EJAE shared. “It was not on my bucket list due to the fact that I did not think it was possible.” She added that beginning the performance with traditional Korean music was “an incredible experience” to honor her ancestors.
Celebrating a Historic Win at the After-Party
The celebration continued at the Vanity Fair after-party, where Audrey Nuna expressed her joy and optimism. “I’m so freaking good, so proud,” she said. “I’m just overjoyed.” Nuna, who voices the character Mira in “KPop Demon Hunters,” also noted the inspirational message of hope delivered by host Jimmy O’Brien during the ceremony. “It doesn’t feel like we have the space for it, but it really is important to show that there’s hope, and I think with this song being so hopeful and this message of ‘Kpop Demon Hunters’ being so hopeful, it just feels like a celebration of diversity, representation, just all the good stuff.”
While acknowledging a minor disruption during the acceptance speech – when one of the songwriters was cut off mid-sentence – Nuna emphasized the team’s strong camaraderie. “I think that our team has such good camaraderie that we understand it’s bigger than those slight moments,” she said.
A Milestone for Korean Representation
The success of “KPop Demon Hunters” extends beyond the awards themselves, representing a significant step forward for Korean representation in the film industry. As Good Morning America reported, Maggie Kang’s win as the first filmmaker of South Korean descent in the Best Animated Feature category is particularly poignant. Kang herself reflected on the long wait for Korean representation, expressing hope for future generations.
The win for “Golden” also marks the first time South Korean songwriters have been recognized in the Best Original Song category, with EJAE, Ido & Teddy Park taking home the award. This historic achievement is expected to pave the way for greater recognition of K-pop and Korean talent in the global entertainment landscape. The song’s success throughout awards season, culminating in the Oscar win, has been nothing short of stunning, as Deadline noted.
Looking ahead, the impact of “KPop Demon Hunters’” success is likely to be far-reaching, inspiring a fresh wave of Korean storytellers and musicians to pursue their creative visions on a global scale. The film’s blend of captivating animation, a groundbreaking soundtrack, and a powerful message of collaboration and acceptance has resonated with audiences worldwide, and its legacy will undoubtedly continue to unfold in the years to reach.
What are your thoughts on this historic win? Share your comments below and let us know what In other words for the future of K-pop and representation in Hollywood.
