‘Kedehun’ heads to the Oscars... OCN to air the 98th Academy Awards live

According to Financial News, Orion Cinema Network (OCN) will be the exclusive Korean TV broadcaster of the 98th Academy Awards. A fierce race is expected among this year’s buzzy titles, including “Sinners,” which has earned nominations in 16 categories, and “One Battle After Another,” which swept six awards at the BAFTAs. In particular, works connected to Korean content, such as Yorgos Lanthimos’s “Bugonia” and “KPop Demon Hunters,” have also been nominated, drawing strong interest.

OCN announced on the 4th that it will exclusively broadcast the 98th Academy Awards live on TV at 8 a.m. on Monday the 16th (7 p.m. on the 15th in the United States), held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles.
At this 98th Academy Awards, attention is focused on whether “Sinners,” which has set a new record for the most nominations in history, will break the previous mark of 14 nominations held by “All About Eve” and “Titanic” for 28 years.
Another strong contender is Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another,” which won six awards at the BAFTAs and has been nominated in 13 categories, setting the stage for an intense two-way race.
Also in the mix are Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein,” nominated in nine categories; Joshua Safdie’s “Marty Supreme”; Joachim Trier’s “Sentimental Value”; and Chloé Zhao’s “Hamnet,” which has eight nominations. Together they signal one of the most competitive Oscar races in recent memory.
The strong showing of K-content at this 98th Academy Awards is particularly noteworthy. “Bugonia,” the Hollywood remake of director Jang Joon-hwan and actor Shin Ha-kyun’s 2003 film “Save the Green Planet!” and a high-profile global project planned and produced by CJ ENM, has been nominated for Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Original Score, and Best Adapted Screenplay, with Yorgos Lanthimos directing and Emma Stone starring.
“KPop Demon Hunters” has been nominated for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song, becoming the first K-pop work ever to receive an Academy Award nomination. Alongside other contenders such as “I Lied to You” from “Sinners,” global fans of “Kedehun” are expected to closely watch whether “Golden” wins and how the film is showcased on the Oscars Best Original Song stage.
The 98th Academy Awards will once again be hosted by American comedian Conan O'Brien, following the 97th ceremony. For OCN’s exclusive live TV broadcast, film critic Lee Dong-jin, broadcaster and interpreter Ahn Hyun-mo, and pop columnist Kim Tae-hoon have been confirmed as MCs.
jashin@fnnews.com Shin Jin-ah Reporter