Netflix’s “KPop Demon Hunters” Nominated for Two Awards at the 98th Academy Awards

Netflix’s globally successful series “KPop Demon Hunters” has been nominated for two awards at the 98th Academy Awards, specifically for Best Animated Feature and Original Song. It was officially included in the Oscar final nominee list released by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) on the 22nd local time, marking a rare achievement as K-pop-based content reaches one of Hollywood’s most prestigious visual arts awards.

Released in June, “KPop Demon Hunters” has become Netflix’s highest-grossing series to date. The animated film follows the K-pop girl group HUNTR/X as they protect the world from evil spirits. The main band members—Rumi, Mira, and Joy, who portray the characters Na-young—fight back against the evil spirits attempting to steal souls through the power of music.

Notably, the original song “Golden” sets a new record as the first K-pop track to be nominated for an Oscar in the Original Song category. Performed by EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami as HUNTR/X’s vocalists, this song topped the Billboard Hot 100 for eight consecutive weeks and also reached the summit of the UK Official Charts. It had already won Best Animated Feature and Original Song at the Golden Globe Awards (on January 11) and the Critics’ Choice Awards (on January 5), reinforcing its status as a strong contender for an Academy Award.

Directed jointly by Canadian-Korean director Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, the film centered its production on the fusion of Korean traditional culture and modern K-pop. Drawing inspiration from Korean folktales of mythical creatures and Musok culture, it combined K-pop’s musicality and dance performances. Director Maggie Kang stated, “During the COVID-19 pandemic, I reflected on the power of music, and through BTS’s online concerts, I became convinced of music’s ability to connect people and illuminate the world.”

The competitors for Best Animated Feature include “Zootopia 2,” “Elio,” “Little Amelie or the Character of Rain,” and “Arco.” The other songs competing for Original Song are “I Ride to You” from “Sinners,” “Dear Me” from “Diane Warren: Relentlessly,” “Sweet Dreams of Joy” from “Viva Verdi!,” and “Train Dreams” from “The Dream of the Train.”

In addition to this film, Netflix’s “Frankenstein” and “Train Dreams” are also nominated for Best Picture, demonstrating the platform’s competitive strength. Meanwhile, director Park Chan-wook’s “No Other Choice” was listed as a preliminary nominee for International Feature Film but did not make it to the final list.

The 98th Academy Awards ceremony will be held on March 15 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, hosted by Conan O’Brien. The cast and crew of “KPop Demon Hunters” are already in contention for awards at the Grammy Awards (scheduled for February), the Annie Awards (nominated in 13 categories), and the Grammys (nominated in 5 categories), further increasing their chances of winning.