The Oscar Award for Best Original Song Goes to ‘Golden’ from ‘KPop Demon Hunters’

It was a big night for “KPop Demon Hunters” at the Oscars. The win for Best Original Song didn’t come as a surprise to this writer, but it’s a really big deal. They made history tonight. And it was thrilling to see. EJAE’s reaction to the win was just beautiful, and it’s well-deserved.

Best Original Song Goes To…

The Korean megahit film, “KPop Demon Hunters,” has taken the world by storm. Who would have expected an animated film made for streaming would capture the attention of so many? You can’t listen to the radio without hearing “Golden,” and you can’t walk into a store without seeing their merch. It’s been phenomenal.

The film has received awards for Best Animated Film from the Critics’ Choice and Golden Globes. And the song “Golden” has won Best Original Song at the Critics’ Choice and Golden Globes as well! It even won Best Song Written for Visual Media from the Grammy Awards, making it the first K-pop song to win a Grammy. And EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami were Billboard’s Women of the Year at the Billboard Women in Music awards. So no one should have been surprised when it won both Oscars for Best Animated Film and Best Original Song. “Golden” has made history again as the first K-pop song to win an Oscar.

“Golden”

“Golden” is the kind of song you can’t help but move your body to when it plays. And, for many, its lyrics hold deep meaning. It’s about “resilience,” as EJAE said when she accepted the award tonight. Her heartfelt tears showed everyone watching just how meaningful this win is. After all, this is a song with Korean and English lyrics. It’s being sung by all kinds of people everywhere.

The song plays at a point in the movie when you see the girls come together in triumph. It’s the big finale when their bond and the music bring about the magical solution the world needs.

The Other Nominees

The award didn’t happen in a vacuum. The other songs that were nominated are also worthy of note, even if they didn’t win. The nomination alone is worth celebrating. The other nominees were:

• “Dear Me” from “Diane Warren: Relentless”; Music and Lyric by Diane Warren
• “I Lied To You” from “Sinners”; Music and Lyric by Raphael Saadiq and Ludwig Goransson
• “Sweet Dreams Of Joy” from “Viva Verdi!”; Music and Lyric by Nicholas Pike
• “Train Dreams” from “Train Dreams”; Music by Nick Cave and Bryce Dessner; Lyric by Nick Cave

What’s Next for This Team?

This isn’t the end for “KPop Demon Hunters.” There’s a sequel in the works with an expected release of 2029. And there’s so much merch on the way that hasn’t even made an appearance yet, not to mention what’s already available in stores. Mattel has the rights for dolls, and there are coloring books, stickers, clothing, and so much more. How long until we get a video game? Not long at all, since there are already mobile games and a game built in Roblox.

Now, excuse me while I go watch the movie… again.