Golden Globes: ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Lands 3 Nominations, Including Best Song for ‘Golden’ and Animated Feature

The animated movie "KPop Demon Hunters" has become a major contender this awards season, securing three Golden Globe nominations. It is in the running for Best Animated Film and Cinematic and Box Office Achievement, and its original song "Golden" has earned a historic nomination. This marks the first time a Korean American artist has been recognized in the Globes' original song category, a significant milestone for representation in the industry.

The nominated track "Golden" is performed by the collective Huntr/x, featuring artists EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami. It was co-written by EJAE, Mark Sonnenblick, DO, 24, and Teddy. A win would solidify EJAE's role as a trailblazer. The song faces competition from a robust field, including "Dream as One" from "Avatar: Fire and Ash," "I Lied to You" from "Sinners," two entries from "Wicked: For Good," and "Train Dreams."

Industry analysts currently view "KPop Demon Hunters" as the frontrunner for Best Animated Film. Its competitors are "Arco," "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle," "Elio," "Little Amélie or the Character of Rain," and "Zootopia 2." The film's cultural impact is undeniable; after premiering on Netflix in June, it became the streamer's most-watched movie of all time. Its soundtrack achieved remarkable crossover success, with "Golden," "Your Idol," and "Soda Pop" all charting for weeks on the Billboard Hot 100. This Globes recognition follows the song "Golden" earning a Song of the Year Grammy nomination last month, highlighting its awards season momentum across major ceremonies.

Its nomination for Cinematic and Box Office Achievement highlights the film's extraordinary commercial reach, placing it alongside blockbusters like "Avatar: Fire and Ash," "F1: The Movie," and "Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning." The movie's popularity even prompted Netflix—a company known for its limited theatrical strategy—to organize special sing-along fan events. An August event propelled the film to a #1 domestic box office opening, generating an estimated $18 million in a single weekend, a rare feat for a streaming-first title. A subsequent Halloween re-release added roughly $5-6 million more. As media analyst Clara Shin noted, "This demonstrates that targeted, event-style theatrical releases can generate substantial revenue even for films with huge streaming audiences, potentially influencing future studio release strategies."

The Golden Globes ceremony is produced by Dick Clark Productions. The company is owned by Penske Media Corporation (PMC), which also publishes Variety, through a joint venture with the investment firm Eldridge. This corporate structure is a reminder of the interconnected nature of modern media and awards broadcasting.