Los Angeles: Netflix’s animated blockbuster KPop Demon Hunters has claimed two major honours at the Golden Globes, winning Best Animated Feature while its breakout anthem Golden secured the award for Best Original Song.
The film, which follows fictional girl group Huntr/x as they use the power of music to battle dark forces, has rapidly become a global phenomenon since its release in June. Beyond critical acclaim, it has also delivered remarkable commercial success, becoming Netflix’s most-watched film of all time within two months.
Director Maggie Kang, accepting the award alongside co-director Chris Appelhans, said the film was created to portray women as really strong and bold in an authentic way. Appelhans described the project as a love letter to music and its unique ability to connect people through shared humanity.
Fans worldwide have praised the film for its themes of self-acceptance, community, and confronting inner struggles. Those messages resonated strongly during the emotional acceptance speech by singer-songwriter Ejae, who co-wrote and performed Golden. Ejae revealed that her early dream of becoming a K-pop idol had ended in rejection, dedicating the award to those who have faced similar setbacks.
The soundtrack’s success has matched the film’s cultural impact. Golden topped the Billboard Hot 100, while another track, Your Idol, reached number eight. The film also secured wins at the Critics Choice Awards earlier this month, further cementing its awards momentum.
Voice actor Arden Cho, who plays lead character Rumi, shared that the story reflected her own experiences with identity and self-acceptance. Arden Cho described the film as a tribute to underrepresented communities, offering hope and joy to audiences who rarely see themselves fully represented on screen.
With Golden Globe recognition often seen as a precursor to Oscar success, industry watchers say the film is now a strong contender. KPop Demon Hunters is among 35 films eligible for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, with the shortlist yet to be announced.
TRENDING | Meta blocks 550,000 underage accounts in Australia
