KPop Demon Hunters has arrived at the 2026 Oscars. The singers behind the fictional group HUNTR/X — EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami — performed “Golden” at the awards ceremony on Sunday.
In true KPop fashion, the audience members were equipped with glowing light sticks to light up the room during the performance. Dressed in all white, the trio of musicians performed from the center of the stage while dancers twirled golden flags in time to the song.
Despite being released on Netflix, the film’s limited theatrical run made it qualify for Oscars consideration.
Earlier in the night, KPop Demon Hunters took home the trophy for Best Animated Film. Maggie Kang, who co-wrote and co-directed the film, producer Michelle L.M. Wong, and co-director Chris Appelhans accepted the award. “Thank you to the Academy and to all the fans who got us here, and for those of you who look like me,” said Kang in a moving speech. “I’m so sorry that it took us so long to see us in a movie like this, but it is here, and that means that the next generations don’t have to go longing. This is for Korea and for Koreans everywhere.”
The film also took home the awards for Best Original Song for “Golden.” the song was up against Diane Warren’s “Dear Me” (her 17th nomination in the category, for the ninth year in a row), “I Lied to You” from Sinners, the title track to Train Dreams, and “Sweet Dreams of Joy” from Viva Verdi!.
Prior to the Oscars, the demon-hunting trio brought “Golden” to the 2026 Bafta Awards, Jimmy Kimmel Live, and Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve. At the 2026 Grammys, they were nominated for five awards (and won for Best Song Written For Visual Media). They were also nominated for three Golden Globes, and won two: Best Original Song — Motion Picture, and Best Motion Picture, Animated.
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“When I was a little girl, I worked tirelessly for 10 years to fulfill one dream: to become a K-pop idol,” EJAE said at the Golden Globes, when she became the first Korean-American to be awarded. “I was rejected and disappointed that my voice wasn’t good enough, so I leaned on songs and music to get through it. Now, I’m here as a singer and a songwriter.”
