The animated blockbuster KPop Demon Hunters emerged as one of the biggest winners at the 83rd Golden Globe Awards, taking home two major trophies: Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song for its hit track “Golden.” The Netflix film was celebrated in a star‑studded ceremony on January 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, capping off a break‑out awards season for the genre‑blending animated title.
“KPop Demon Hunters” beat out stiff competition in the animated category, including films like Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle, Zootopia 2, Arco, and Elio, marking a notable recognition for a globally popular streaming release.
A New Icon in Global Animation
Directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, “KPop Demon Hunters” blends K‑pop culture with supernatural action. The story follows the idol girl group Huntrix — Rumi, Mira and Zoey — as they navigate fame and secret demon‑fighting duties, a premise that has resonated with audiences across the world since its June 2025 release. Netflix reports that the film has surpassed 500 million streams globally and maintained elevated viewership on its platform, solidifying its cultural reach.
The Best Animated Feature win is a significant milestone: it recognizes not just technical excellence but the mainstream appeal of a project rooted in Korean pop music aesthetics and storytelling, a relative rarity in major American awards.
Breakthrough Soundtrack: “Golden” Takes Best Original Song
In addition to its animated film trophy, “KPop Demon Hunters” won the Golden Globe for Best Original Song – Motion Picture for “Golden.” The song — performed and co‑written by EJAE alongside Joong Gyu Kwak, Yu Han Lee, Hee Dong Nam, Jeong Hoon Seo, Park Hong Jun, Kim Eun‑jae and Mark Sonnenblick — stood out in a crowded field that included mainstream contenders from major films.
EJAE delivered an emotional acceptance speech, recalling her years chasing a dream in K‑pop before breaking through creatively, using that personal narrative to speak to perseverance and self‑acceptance — themes central to both the film and the song’s impact.
Cultural Impact and Representation
The double win at the Golden Globes reflects more than critical acclaim — it highlights diversifying representation in global filmmaking and music. Director Maggie Kang’s success marks a notable moment as she becomes among the first Asian women to win in the Animated Feature category at the Globes. Moreover, “Golden” being tied to a K‑pop‑inspired animated film underscores the increasing influence of Korean popular culture on global entertainment.
The film’s blend of action, music, and heartfelt character development has also drawn praise from fans who see it as a fresh take on animated storytelling, moving beyond typical family fare into something that blends genre, music and myth in a way that feels distinctly global.
Industry Recognition and Awards Momentum
The Golden Globe wins add to a growing list of accolades for “KPop Demon Hunters.” Prior to the Globes, the film secured the Best Animated Feature and Best Song at the 31st Critics’ Choice Awards, and it continues to maintain strong positioning in the Oscars awards season, with “Golden” shortlisted for Best Original Song at the 98th Academy Awards and several Grammy nominations for its soundtrack.
This kind of awards season momentum — from critics groups to international ceremonies — shows the industry’s broad recognition of the film’s achievements in both animation and music.
What the Wins Mean for Streaming and Animation
“KPop Demon Hunters’” success at the Golden Globes also underscores the shifting landscape of animated films and streaming content. Once dominated by traditional theatrical releases from major studios, awards circuits are now embracing projects developed for and premiered on digital platforms like Netflix, recognizing their creative ambition and cultural relevance on the same stage as their theatrical peers.
The wins could signal greater opportunities ahead for animated films internationally, especially those that draw from diverse cultural traditions and musical influences, expanding what audiences and critics alike consider when honoring excellence in animation.
Looking Ahead: Oscars Buzz and Future Legacy
With the Golden Globes now behind it, “KPop Demon Hunters” positions itself as a serious contender for Oscar recognition, particularly in categories for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song — areas where awards season performance often predicts Academy outcomes. Its historic Globe wins also suggest an enduring legacy that may influence future storytelling intersections between music, genre, and animation.
