“Golden” by the fictional K-pop group HUNTR/X has won Best Original Song at the 98th Academy Awards, marking a historic first for the genre. Performed by EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami, the track becomes the first K-pop song in Oscars history to claim the category.
The win, announced March 15 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, caps off a dominant awards run for the song from the animated hit KPop Demon Hunters. Released July 4, 2025 through Republic Records, “Golden” quickly evolved from soundtrack highlight into a global pop phenomenon.
Commercial impact followed almost immediately. The single climbed to No. 1 on the Billboard Global 200 and topped national charts in more than 30 territories, including the United States, South Korea, and the United Kingdom. Another major milestone arrived when the track spent five weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, setting a new record for songs originating from animated films while becoming the first all-female K-pop track to lead the chart.
Streaming numbers reinforced that dominance. “Golden” held the No. 1 position on Spotify’s global chart for 78 days while accumulating multi-platinum certifications in at least eight countries.
Industry recognition followed throughout the awards season cycle. “Golden” secured major wins at the Critics’ Choice Awards and the Golden Globe Awards before adding another milestone at the Grammy Awards, where it won Best Song Written for Visual Media and became the first K-pop song ever to claim a Grammy.
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