‘Golden’ From ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Becomes First K-Pop Grammy Winner Ever

History was made at the Grammys when the songwriters behind the global streaming sensation "KPop Demon Hunters" earned their first trophy. The award for Best Song Written for Visual Media went to "Golden," a track created by artists EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami during the pre-telecast ceremony. This victory represents the first Grammy ever awarded to a K-pop song. Co-written by EJAE with Mark Sonnenblick, DO, 24, and Teddy, the song had been nominated in four categories. This breakthrough arrives in a year where other Korean artists made significant inroads, including Blackpink's Rosé, who earned three major nominations for her collaboration with pop icon Bruno Mars. Meanwhile, the highly decorated group BTS, which has received numerous nominations over the years, is still pursuing its inaugural win, highlighting the competitive and evolving nature of Grammy recognition for Korean music.

In the Visual Media category, "Golden" triumphed over formidable competitors, including legendary acts like Nine Inch Nails and a high-profile duet from Elton John and Brandi Carlile. Although it did not win in the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance or Best Remixed Recording categories earlier in the night, the song remains a nominee for the evening's top prize, Song of the Year. The trio did not perform at the event, but Audrey Nuna had previously highlighted the nomination's profound cultural significance. "You’re going to see three Korean faces," she remarked. "To think about the kids who are going to see that, and hopefully for that to shape their understanding of what they can do in this world, is the stuff that is giving me chills up my spine." Industry analysts view this win as a pivotal moment, signaling a meaningful shift in the traditionally Western-centric Grammy awards toward a more globally inclusive perspective.

The awards success is directly powered by the film's monumental streaming performance. According to Nielsen's definitive year-end report, Sony Pictures Animation's "KPop Demon Hunters" was the most-streamed movie in the United States for 2025 by an enormous margin, amassing a staggering 20.5 billion viewing minutes. To put that figure in perspective, the film's 99-minute runtime means it was effectively watched in full over 207 million times. Originally released directly to Netflix in June, its viral popularity prompted the streamer to grant it a surprise limited theatrical run—a rare reversal of the traditional release model. This path from a digital phenomenon to an awards contender mirrors the trajectory of prior animated musical hits like "Encanto," suggesting a potent new model for launching international franchises that resonate across both popular and critical spheres.

The film's soundtrack has mirrored its viewership with chart dominance. Three original songs—"Golden," "Your Idol," and "Soda Pop"—have become long-running fixtures on the Billboard Hot 100. EJAE, who made history as the first Korean-American female songwriter nominated for the Grammy's Song of the Year, now sees "Golden" positioned as a frontrunner for the upcoming Academy Award for Best Original Song. The film's cultural footprint will be further amplified on the Oscars stage, where featured performers are scheduled: Huntr/x will perform "Golden," while the creative team behind another nominated track, "I Lied to You," will also take the spotlight. This multi-platform awards presence underscores the project's exceptional achievement in synthesizing blockbuster commercial appeal with prestigious critical recognition, a feat rarely accomplished in today's fragmented media landscape.