Netflix Animation “KPop Demon Hunters” and Its OST “Golden” Dominate Global Charts, Qualifying for Oscar Nomination

The OST for Netflix’s original animation “KPop Demon Hunters” is sweeping global music charts. The title track “Golden,” performed by the virtual K-POP girl group HUNTR/X, reached number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. It has also remained in the UK Official Singles Chart Top 100 for 22 consecutive weeks, currently sitting at second place. “Golden” achieved a total of 10 non-consecutive weeks at number one on the UK chart, demonstrating sustained popularity throughout the year. Other OST tracks from the same film, “How It's Done” and “What It Sounds Like,” also made it into the UK Top 100, ranking at 11th and 14th respectively. “KPop Demon Hunters” is a story about K-POP girl groups saving the world through music. Since its release on Netflix in June, it has sparked a global phenomenon and recorded the highest viewing figures ever for such a title. Of particular note is the role of composer EJAE. The 33-year-old singer-songwriter from Seoul worked as a K-POP idol trainee under SM Entertainment for about 10 years but was denied a debut opportunity at age 21 because he was considered “too old.” He later transitioned into a composer and producer, creating hit songs such as Red Velvet’s “Psycho” and Aespa’s “Drama” and “Armageddon.” The film’s director, Maggie Kang, stated that EJAE’s demo tracks played a decisive role in confirming the project. Unexpectedly, EJAE also participated as the voice artist for the film’s protagonist, Rumi. The film’s success brought a new turning point to EJAE’s career, as he described experiencing rapid exposure that felt like “a success overnight” within his 20-year tenure in the music industry. “KPop Demon Hunters” was included in the list of 35 films eligible for nomination in the Best Animated Feature category at next year’s Academy Awards. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) will select the initial slate of nominees on December 16 based on member voting, before announcing the final five nominees at the Oscars ceremony on January 22 of the following year. Although it failed to qualify for BAFTA nomination due to not meeting the requirement of seven consecutive showings, the film already satisfied the basic criteria for the Academy Awards by being shown for a fee in cities like Los Angeles and New York in June. As a result, “KPop Demon Hunters” can compete not only for Best Animated Feature but also for Best Original Song and Best Picture thanks to the global popularity of its track “Golden.” The 98th Academy Awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on March 15 next year.