A notable moment unfolded at the 2026 Academy Awards when the song Golden from the animated film KPop Demon Hunters took home the Oscar for Best Original Song. The win marked a rare crossover between K-pop inspired music and Hollywood’s biggest film stage.
During the ceremony, members of the creative team stepped forward to accept the award. Among them was songwriter Yu-Han Lee, who began thanking collaborators and reflecting on the journey behind the track. The speech, however, ended abruptly when the broadcast music started playing, signaling the end of the allotted time.
Golden plays a key role in KPop Demon Hunters, an animated film built around a group of K-pop idols who secretly battle supernatural forces. The song blends pop production with cinematic storytelling, helping anchor one of the film’s central moments.
The Oscar win adds another milestone for Korean artists working across global entertainment. Recognition from the Academy highlights the growing presence of Korean music and storytelling in major international productions, particularly as K-pop continues to influence projects far beyond the traditional music industry.