HUNTR/X Vocalists to Perform “Golden” at Oscars’ Golden Stage Featuring Korean Instruments

The 98th Academy Awards will be held on March 15 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, with EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami, the vocalists of HUNTR/X, performing “Golden” — the Oscar-nominated song from Netflix’s animated series *KPop Demon Hunters*. This performance is part of a special musical tribute that will begin with performances by traditional Korean instrument players and dances.

Academy Awards producers Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan explained the significance of this performance in a joint statement. “This year’s musical performances are inspired by two powerful cultural phenomena: the Academy Award-winning film *Sinners*, which received the most nominations, and the global pop culture phenomenon *KPop Demon Hunters*. These stage moments go beyond simple performances to become cinematic tributes that celebrate the relationship between music and storytelling, as well as why these films have had such a profound impact on audiences worldwide.”

The *KPop Demon Hunters* segment will open with a fusion of traditional Korean instrument performers and dancers, honoring the folk traditions and cultural roots of this animated series. *KPop Demon Hunters*, which is recorded as Netflix’s most-watched film to date, follows a fictional girl group named HUNTR/X, with EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami serving as the group’s vocalists. They will perform the film’s Oscar-nominated song “Golden” on stage.

The tribute segment honoring *Sinners* will highlight how music is used as a narrative tool in the film. Miles Caton, the lead actor of the film, and Oscar-nominated composer Raphael Saadiq will perform the film’s nominated song “I Lied to You.” Additionally, various artists associated with the film, including Misty Copeland, Eric Gales, Buddy Guy, Brittany Howard, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Jayme Lawson, Li Jun Li, Bobby Rush, Shaboozey, and Alice Smith, will form an ensemble to deliver a performance that celebrates the film’s visual and musical style.

The Academy Awards will be hosted by Conan O’Brien and broadcast to over 200 regions around the world. The ceremony will air on Sunday, March 15, at 7 p.m. PT (4 p.m. PT), with the official red carpet show starting at 6:30 p.m. PT (3:30 p.m. PT). Josh Groban and the Los Angeles Master Chorale will also appear in this broadcast, with additional performers set to be announced.