“Golden,” the hit track from the animated feature KPop Demon Hunters, has secured a place in entertainment history after earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song at the 98th Oscars in 2026. The nomination, announced by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on January 22, 2026, marks the first time a K-Pop song has been recognized in this category. The same announcement also confirmed a Best Animated Feature nomination for KPop Demon Hunters, positioning the film as one of the most talked-about animated releases of the awards season.
The nominated song originates from KPop Demon Hunters, a 2025 animated musical urban fantasy film produced by Netflix and Sony Pictures Animation. Released in June 2025, the film quickly emerged as Netflix’s most-watched original movie, according to the platform’s official viewership rankings, surpassing previous records held by titles such as Red Notice. Co-directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans and produced by Michelle L. M. Wong, the project has been widely credited for blending global pop culture with animation-driven storytelling.
‘Golden’ Oscar Nomination Signals a Defining Moment for K-Pop on the Global Awards Stage
“Golden” is performed by the fictional K-Pop girl group HUNTR/X, voiced by EJAE as Rumi, Audrey Nuna as Zoey, and Rei Ami as Mira. Within the film, the song plays a central narrative role as the anthem used to create the “Golden Honmoon,” a magical barrier that seals demons away from the human world. The track was written and produced by EJAE, Mark Sonnenblick, IDO, 24, and Teddy Park, and was released on July 4, 2025, as the second single from the film’s soundtrack through Republic Records.
Following its release, “Golden” achieved major commercial milestones, including reaching No. 1 on Spotify charts and the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the first all-women collective to do so since Destiny’s Child in 2001. The song also received four Grammy nominations, including Song of the Year, and won Best Original Song at both the Critics’ Choice Awards and the 83rd Golden Globe Awards. In December 2025, it advanced from a pool of 68 submissions to become one of 15 finalists shortlisted for the Oscars.
Inside KPop Demon Hunters: The Animated Film Powering ‘Golden’s Awards Success
KPop Demon Hunters follows HUNTR/X, a rising K-Pop girl group that secretly doubles as a team of demon hunters, balancing global fame with supernatural responsibility. The story escalates when demons disguise themselves as a rival boy band known as the Saja Boys, leading to a high-energy clash that merges action, music, and fantasy. The film’s themes of empowerment, friendship, and cultural fusion are reinforced through its choreography-driven musical sequences.
Beyond its Oscar recognition, the film won Best Animated Feature at both the Critics’ Choice Awards and the Golden Globes. Its soundtrack has enjoyed sustained commercial success, supported by promotional live performances from the voice cast on programs such as Jimmy Kimmel Live!. Together, the achievements of KPop Demon Hunters and “Golden” highlight the growing influence of K-Pop within mainstream global entertainment and underscore Netflix’s expanding role in culturally diverse animated storytelling.
