Los angeles: Netflix's animated film "KPop Demon Hunters" has made history at the Grammy Awards, showcasing the global appeal of Korean culture. "Golden," a song from the film's original soundtrack, won the award for Best Song Written for Visual Media at the 68th Grammy Awards held in Los Angeles. This marks the first time a K-pop genre soundtrack has been nominated for or received this prestigious award.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the film acts as a cultural hybrid, blending traditional Korean elements with contemporary styles. It follows Huntr/x, a fictional girl group battling evil spirits through music, set against the backdrop of Seoul. The film highlights local landmarks and cultural motifs, including "hanbok," traditional characters, and vibrant Seoul streets, attracting significant global interest since its release.
The movie achieved unprecedented success, becoming Netflix's most-watched title with over 500 million views in less than six months. Its influence led to sold-out "sing-along" screenings and Halloween costumes inspired by its characters across various countries, including the United States, Britain, Australia, and New Zealand.
Beyond streaming platforms, the film's impact extended to cultural institutions and merchandise. The National Museum of Korea saw a record 6 million visitors this year, and the film's official merchandise line, Mu:ds, experienced a surge in sales due to its popularity.
The soundtrack of "KPop Demon Hunters" also became a commercial success. "Golden," performed by Korean American artists Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami, topped the Billboard Hot 100 for eight non-consecutive weeks and led the British Official Singles Chart Top 100 for ten non-consecutive weeks. The soundtrack album reached the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200 chart.
Other songs from the soundtrack, such as "Takedown," "Soda Pop," "How It's Done," and "What It Sounds Like," gained popularity, dominating Billboard's main songs chart. This success is seen as evidence of K-pop's growing global influence, with notable industry figures like Teddy, Kush, Vince, 24, and Ido from The Black Label contributing to its creation.
On Sunday, Ejae, Teddy, 24, and Ido were officially recognized as Grammy winners for "Golden." While South Korean recording engineer Hwang Byeong-joon and Korean American artist Yungin have won Grammys previously, this marks the first time K-pop producers or songwriters have received the award.
"KPop Demon Hunters" has also garnered two Oscar nominations for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song for "Golden" at the upcoming Oscars in Los Angeles. Korean culture critic Jung Duk-hyun noted, "The film shows how local tradition and global production can combine to create a cultural phenomenon," emphasizing its role in broadening the definition of K-content beyond domestically funded works.