In one of the most historic moments at the Oscars, the chartbreaking track 'Golden' from the standout hit Netflix show Kpop Demon Hunters dazzled the academy, earning the title of Best Original Song.
In a haze of pride and excitement, EJAE and the accompanying songwriters who made the track what it has become today rushed to the stage to collect their award. As EJAE explained the significance of the song winning this award, and representing her culture at such a prestigious international level, she shares "Growing up, you know people made fun of me for liking K-pop, but now everyone's singing our song".
As she finished thanking those who made these dreams a possibility, a second team member stepped before the microphone to thank a few more people. However, he was almost immediately cut off by blaring music as the microphone lowered, leaving the team unable to finish their speech. Netizens were outraged by the interruption with many demanding that the awards show should have let them finish the speech, calling the whole ordeal disrespectful, rude and even prejudiced.
Beyond the mishaps, Kpop Demon Hunters really showed the academy 'How it's done'. Beyond their glorious win for the Best Original Song category, they also bagged the Best Animated Film award for the film's outstanding performance in the last year as it skyrocketed to become one of the most watched films on Netflix. These wins go beyond just appreciating the success of an animated film but demonstrate how far South Korean culture has come, being appreciated by the masses and awarded for its distinct ability to spread joy and enjoyment regardless of race, nationality and language.
HUNTR/X also took the stage to blow the audience away with their spectacular performance of the Oscar winning track 'Golden'. Dancers took the stage in beautiful Hanboks, capturing the emotion of the monologue that came before EJAE, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami took the stage. The trio delivered a top notch performance with rich and soaring vocals that created an electric atmosphere that buzzed in the Dolby Theatre as spectators joined in cheering with their lightsticks, turning the Oscars into a full on K-pop concert.
As the night came to a close, the triumph of Kpop Demon Hunters stood as more than just an Oscars victory, it became a powerful symbol of how far K-pop and Korean storytelling have travelled on the global stage. From the emotional acceptance speech to the electrifying live performance of 'Golden,' the moment captured the passion of fans and artists alike. Despite the brief interruption on stage, the win marked a historic milestone, proving that the influence of K-pop continues to shine brighter than ever, even under Hollywood’s brightest lights.
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