Mira (voice of May Hong), Rumi (Arden Cho) and Zoey (Ji-young Yoo) in “KPop Demon Hunters.”
NETFLIX
The Netflix animated musical sensation KPop Demon Hunters scored two Oscar nominations Thursday — one of which marks a first for Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences.
Actors Danielle Brooks announced the nominations Thursday morning from the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Los Angeles and among the Netflix films honored with Oscar nominations was KPop Demon Hunters for Best Animated Feature, while the film’s hit anthem, “Golden,” earned a Best Original Song nomination.
KPop Demon Hunters directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, along with producer Michelle L.M. Wong are the filmmakers up for the Best Animated Feature Oscar, while “Golden” songwriters EJAE, Mark Sonnenblick, Ido, 24 and Teddy are vying for the Best Original Song Academy Award.
“Golden” makes Oscar history with its nomination since it marks the first time a K-pop song has been nominated for Best Original Song. In the film, “Golden” is performed by EJAE, Rei Ami and Audrey Nuna, the singing voices of HUNTR/X members Rumi, Zoey and Mira. The speaking voices of Rumi, Zoey and Mira in the film are performed by Arden Cho, Ji-young Yoo and May Hong.
Earlier this month, KPop Demon Hunters and “Golden” won honors for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song at both the Critics’ Choice Awards and Golden Globes.
“When I was a little girl, I worked tirelessly for 10 years to fulfill one dream, to become a K-pop idol, and I was rejected and disappointed that my voice wasn’t good enough,” EJAE said in her emotional acceptance speech at the Golden Globes. “So, I leaned on songs and music to get through it. So now I’m here as a singer and a songwriter.”
TOPSHOT – (L/R) US singer Audrey Nuna, South Korean-US singer EJAE and South Korean singer Rei Ami, winners of the Best Original Song – Motion Picture for “Golden” from “KPop Demon Hunters,” pose in the press room during the 83rd annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Beverly Hills, California, on January 11, 2026. (Photo by Etienne Laurent / AFP via Getty Images) / — IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE —
AFP via Getty Images
KPop Demon Hunters Is Also Up For Other Major Film Awards
The Oscar nominations for KPop Demon Hunters are the latest in a string of nods for the film this awards season.
On Jan. 5, KPop Demon Hunters received 13 nominations in the animated industry’s biggest awards ceremony, the Annie Awards, including Best Feature, Best Direction, Best Writing, Best Music and Best Voice Acting. The Annie Awards will be handed out on Feb. 21.
Then, on Jan. 9, Michelle L.M. Wong received a nomination from the Producer Guild of America for the PGA’s Award for Outstanding Producer of Animated Theatrical Motion Pictures. The PGA Awards ceremony is Feb. 28.
Released on June 20, 2025. KPop Demon Hunters went on to become the No. 1 film on Netflix’s all-time Top 10 Most Popular Movies chart. Based on data from the film’s first 91 days Netflix, KPop Demon Hunters had 325.1 million views, which equates to 541.8 million hours viewed.
Hosted by Conan O’Brien, the 98th Annual Oscars ceremony will take place at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood and will air on ABC-TV and stream on Hulu.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/timlammers/2026/01/22/oscars-2026-kpop-demon-hunters-gets-golden-ticket-with-2-nominations/
