K-Pop Makes Oscars History As ‘Golden’ From KPop Demon Hunters Wins Best Original Song At Oscars 2026

The song "Golden" from the animated film KPop Demon Hunters created history at the Academy Awards 2026 by winning the Best Original Song award.

The track was created by a team of songwriters including EJAE, Mark Sonnenblick, Joong Gyu Kwak, Yu Han Lee, Hee Dong Nam, Jeong Hoon Seon, and Teddy Park.

Their victory marks an important milestone, as "Golden" became the first K-pop song ever to win an Oscar in this category.

Historic First for K-Pop at the Oscars

The win is especially significant for the global K-pop industry. It was the first nomination and first Oscar win for all seven creators behind the song.

K-pop has gained worldwide popularity over the past decade, and this achievement highlights its growing influence in global entertainment and film music.

The success of "Golden" also reflects the strong international fanbase that K-pop music has built over the years.

About the Film KPop Demon Hunters

KPop Demon Hunters is an animated musical film that tells the story of a fictional K-pop girl group who secretly fight demons while protecting the world.

The film combines music, fantasy and action, creating a unique story that connects with younger audiences and fans of Korean pop culture.

According to Netflix, the film became the platform's most-watched movie of all time, accumulating hundreds of millions of viewing hours worldwide.

The movie's soundtrack was also extremely successful. It became the highest-charting soundtrack of 2025, with eight songs entering the Billboard Hot 100.

Emotional Acceptance Speech

During the Oscars ceremony, songwriter EJAE became emotional while accepting the award on behalf of the team.

Holding back tears, she thanked the Academy and reflected on the meaning of the win.
She said:

"Thank you so much to the Academy. This award is not about success, it's about resilience."

The moment was widely applauded by the audience and celebrated by fans around the world.

Other Nominees in the Category

"Golden" won the award after beating several strong contenders in the Best Original Song category.

The other nominees included:

"Dear Me" by Diane Warren from Diane Warren: Relentless
"I Lied to You" by Raphael Saadiq and Ludwig Göransson from Sinners
"Sweet Dreams of Joy" by Nicholas Pike from Viva Verdi!
"Train Dreams" by Nick Cave and Bryce Dessner from Train Dreams
Despite the tough competition, the K-pop track emerged as the winner.

Another Big Music Win of the Night

Music also played a major role in the awards ceremony through other categories.
Composer Ludwig Göransson won the Best Original Score Oscar for the film Sinners. This marks his third Academy Award, after previously winning for Black Panther (2018) and Oppenheimer (2023).

During his speech, Göransson credited his father's love for music and said it inspired his own journey into composing.

The music for Sinners is deeply influenced by blues music, which plays an important role in the film's storytelling.

A Landmark Night for Film Music

The 98th Academy Awards highlighted the power of music in cinema, with several memorable wins in the song and score categories.

The historic victory of "Golden" from KPop Demon Hunters not only celebrated the film's success but also marked a major milestone for K-pop and global music culture at the Oscars.