Netflix’s “KPop Demon Hunters” Wins Two Critic’s Choice Awards, Setting Stage for Oscar Bid

Netflix’s original animated film “KPop Demon Hunters” claimed two awards at the 31st Critics’ Choice Awards, hosted by the United States’ premier critics organization, the Critics’ Choice Association. It secured the award for Best Animated Feature and the award for Original Song. The ceremony took place on the 4th local time at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California.

The film overcame strong competitors such as “Zootopia 2,” “Elio,” “In Your Dreams,” and “Arco” to win Best Animated Feature. Its original song, “Golden,” also triumphed in the Original Song category amid competition from titles like “F1 The Movie” and “Wicked: For Good.” This track is a collaborative piece performed by Lee Jae, Audrey Nuna, and Lay Aimi, all of whom are Korean-American artists.

On stage during the award presentation, Lee Jae expressed his emotions, saying, “I felt as though I was living my life indirectly through my character Rumi.” He added, “This song is an expression of hope that allows one to believe they can write their own dreams and reach out for them.” He further stated, “It is truly the greatest honor to be able to convey hope to countless people around the world through this song.”

Director Maggie Kang, who oversaw the film, shared her thoughts on the win, saying, “The journey of this film began seven years ago as a personal love letter to Korean culture, a tribute to the power of music, and a message for everyone striving to harmonize the image they want to present to the world with their true inner self.” She expressed deep gratitude to fans who discovered the film and supported it from the very beginning.

The original song “Golden” also achieved notable success on music charts, topping the Billboard Hot 100 for eight consecutive weeks. The film tells a story about K-pop girl group HUNTR/X communicating with their fans while fighting against evil spirits, and it is recognized for integrating various elements of Korean cultural content.

The Critics’ Choice Association consists of approximately 600 film and television critics and journalists from the United States and Canada. This award show is widely regarded as an indicator of potential Oscar and Golden Globe nominations. “KPop Demon Hunters” is currently nominated in five categories at the Grammys, including Song of the Year, and its chances of making it to the Oscars are increasing due to its strong film narrative and musical achievements.