‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Scores Two Oscars as Hollywood A-Listers Wave K-pop Light Sticks

[Financial News] “It took a long time for people who look like us to appear in a film like this. I dedicate this award to Korea and to Koreans all around the world.”
Director Maggie Kang of KPop Demon Hunters, the most-watched animated film on Netflix, raised the Oscar trophy high. On the 15th (local time), she was announced as the winner of Best Animated Feature at the 98th Academy Awards (the Oscars), held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles (L.A.). She beat out strong contenders including Disney’s Zootopia 2 and Pixar Animation Studios’ Elio.
Ejae, who both composed and performed the film’s music, won the Academy Award for Best Original Song with “Golden.” With this, Kedehun won in every category it was nominated for, securing two Oscars in total.

As the Kedehun theme song “Golden” played, Kang took the stage in a red dress and, holding back tears, said, “I’m sorry it took so long for a film like this, with people who look like me as the main characters, to be made. The next generation won’t have to wait.” Michelle Wong, the producer who set a new milestone as a female producer through the commercial and critical success of Kedehun, joined her on stage and remarked, “Mom, this award is for you,” drawing attention.
After a special live performance of “Golden,” the presentation for the Academy Award for Best Original Song followed. When “Golden” was announced, Ejae burst into tears and said, “When I was young, I used to get teased for liking K-pop,” adding that she was “proud” to be receiving the award. She went on to say, “This film reminded me once again that it’s not about success, but about resilience.” The story of a girl who trained for years to become a K-pop singer but failed, only to realize her dream later in a different way, made the win all the more meaningful.
Meanwhile, at this year’s Oscars, Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami, who appear as the girl group Huntrix in Kedehun, delivered a special performance.
The three performers appeared on stage in white dresses, befitting the descendants of a nation historically known for wearing white. Twenty-four dancers and percussionists, also dressed in white, waved yellow flags, adding a distinctly Korean flair. In the audience, Emma Stone, Gwyneth Paltrow, Leonardo DiCaprio, and other Hollywood stars were seen waving K-pop light sticks, creating a striking scene. It was as if K-pop’s fan culture had been transplanted directly into the Oscars.
jashin@fnnews.com Shin Jin-ah Reporter