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KPop Demon Hunters Scores Oscar Nods as Former Trainee Ejae Tops Global Charts

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Oscar and BRIT Nominations Elevate KPop Demon Hunters Netflix’s animated hit received two nominations at the 98th Academy Awards: Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song for “Golden” [3]. The same song and the in‑film group Huntr/x were also nominated in the International Song of the Year and International Group of the Year categories at the 2026 BRIT Awards, with the ceremony slated for Feb. 28 [2]. These recognitions place the film alongside previous Korean nominees such as BTS and BLACKPINK, underscoring its cross‑media impact.

Golden Song Dominates Charts and Diplomatic Events “Golden” held the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 for several weeks and amassed hundreds of millions of Spotify streams worldwide [1]. The track earned a Golden Globe for Best Original Song and is slated for Grammy and Oscar nominations, while Japanese and South Korean leaders played it during a joint drum performance, highlighting its diplomatic reach [1]. Critics Choice Awards also honored the song, reinforcing its momentum ahead of the Oscars [3].

Former SM Trainee Ejae Breaks Into Songwriting Stardom Ejae spent ten years training at SM Entertainment without debuting, then studied music at NYU, taught herself production software, and wrote a college Christmas song that became “Hello” for Hani [1]. She co‑wrote and voiced the lead on “Golden,” contributing four tracks to the film and securing a rare transition from trainee to acclaimed songwriter [1]. Berklee professor Claire Marie Lim notes such a breakthrough is “super rare,” and co‑director Maggie Kang credits Ejae’s early demos with green‑lighting the project [1].

Film’s Record‑Breaking Viewership and Global Release Strategy Released on June 20 2025, “KPop Demon Hunters” quickly became Netflix’s most‑watched original movie ever, prompting a limited‑time theatrical sing‑along rollout in the United States, Australia, and Britain [3]. Co‑directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans and produced with Sony Pictures Animation, the film blends Korean‑Canadian and American creative talent [3]. Its blend of music‑driven fantasy attracted a worldwide audience, fueling its award‑season campaign.

Momentum Builds Toward Upcoming Awards Ceremonies After winning Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song at the Golden Globes and securing Critics Choice honors, the film heads into the Oscars on March 15 [3]. Simultaneously, the BRIT Awards on Feb. 28 will spotlight “Golden” and Huntr/x, while Grammy nominations for the song remain anticipated [1]. The convergence of chart success, diplomatic usage, and multiple award nominations positions the franchise as a benchmark for Korean pop culture’s global expansion.

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Timeline

Oct 1, 2025 – South Korea launches the Presidential Committee on Popular Culture Exchange, appointing JYP Entertainment founder Park Jin‑young as co‑chair to turn Korean pop culture into an economic engine and boost international cultural ties[10].

June 20, 2025 – Netflix releases KPop Demon Hunters, which quickly becomes the platform’s most‑watched title ever, overtaking Squid Game and sparking a global fandom for its K‑pop‑powered demon‑hunting storyline[10].

2025 (through Oct.) – The film’s cultural ripple lifts related metrics: the National Museum of Korea records a 6 million‑visitor high, foreign tourism to South Korea climbs 15.2 % to 15.82 million, and “Golden” dominates the Billboard Hot 100 and UK charts, earning five Grammy nods and driving merchandise sales[10].

Dec 8, 2025 – The 83rd Golden Globes announce nominations; KPop Demon Hunters is nominated for Best Motion Picture – Animated and Best Original Song, positioning it early in the awards season[11].

Dec 16, 2025 – Year‑end analysis highlights KPop Demon Hunters as a banner year for Korea’s cultural footprint: the soundtrack’s eight non‑consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Hot 100, its diplomatic use in a Japan‑South Korea drum ceremony, and the film’s record streaming viewership[10].

Jan 5, 2026 – At the Critics Choice Awards, KPop Demon Hunters wins Best Animated Feature and “Golden” wins Best Song; director Maggie Kang notes the project began as a seven‑year love letter to Korean culture, thanking early fans for their support[8].

Jan 12, 2026 – The 83rd Golden Globes award KPop Demon Hunters Best Motion Picture – Animated and “Golden” Best Original Song; Maggie Kang thanks the Globes and says the story “deeply rooted in Korean culture could connect with audiences worldwide,” while lead singer‑songwriter Ejae calls the win “a dream…like riding a giant wave”[1].

Jan 22, 2026 – The Academy announces Oscar nominations; KPop Demon Hunters receives nods for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song (“Golden”), with the ceremony slated for March 15, 2026[4].

Jan 23, 2026 – The BRIT Awards reveal nominations: Rose’s solo “APT.” and “Golden” vie for International Song of the Year, and the in‑film group Huntr/x is nominated for International Group of the Year; the ceremony will take place on Feb 28, 2026[3].

Jan 27, 2026 – Former SM Entertainment trainee Ejae recounts a decade of harsh training, recalling the mantra “You’re not good enough, you’re not good enough,” then pivoting to songwriting at NYU; she co‑writes “Golden,” which tops charts, earns diplomatic play, and secures Grammy and Oscar buzz, while co‑director Maggie Kang credits Ejae’s early demos with green‑lighting the film[2].

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