K-Pop Demon Hunters' 'Golden' Makes Grammy History as First K-Pop Song to Win
The 68th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles witnessed a groundbreaking moment for the global music industry as K-Pop Demon Hunters' chart-topping track Golden secured the Best Song Written for Visual Media award. This historic win marks the first time a K-pop song has ever received a Grammy, representing a significant milestone for Korean pop music on the world stage.
A Landmark Achievement for K-Pop at the Grammys
Performed by the fictional K-pop group Huntr/x in Netflix's animated film K-Pop Demon Hunters (2025), Golden triumphed during the Grammy Premiere Ceremony ahead of the main broadcast. The song, which was also nominated in the prestigious Song of the Year category, has been dominating the 2025–26 awards season, having previously won major honours including the Golden Globe and Critics' Choice Award for Best Original Song.
The Grammy victory adds another remarkable achievement to Golden's impressive run, showcasing how the track has successfully transitioned from streaming charts to the soundtrack spotlight. This win underscores the growing global influence of K-pop, which has long dominated international charts but had previously struggled to secure top-tier recognition in Western award circuits.
The Creative Force Behind the Fictional Group Huntr/x
Despite being a fictional creation, Huntr/x was developed with meticulous attention to detail that mirrors real K-pop groups. The group features:
- Defined member roles and vocal colours
- A distinct visual identity
- Voice performances by EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami
Voice performers worked closely with vocal directors to ensure authenticity, while choreographers designed routines that accurately reflected current K-pop performance trends. This careful craftsmanship contributed to the song's success and recognition at the highest levels of the music industry.
Songwriters Celebrated for Bridging Cinematic Storytelling with K-Pop
The Best Song Written for Visual Media award specifically recognizes songwriters whose work excels within its visual context while also standing strong as an independent piece of songwriting and composition. The creators of Golden—songwriters EJAE, Mark Sonnenblick, 24 (Jeong Hoon Seo), Ido, and Teddy—were celebrated for crafting a song that perfectly bridges cinematic storytelling with K-pop's high-energy pop ethos.
Producer Jeong Hoon Seo, who goes by the producer name 24, accepted the award with a speech delivered in both English and Korean. At the conclusion of his remarks, he gave a special shoutout to Pioneer of K-Pop Teddy, acknowledging the influential figures who have shaped the K-pop industry.
Overcoming Historical Grammy Challenges for K-Pop
This Grammy win represents a significant breakthrough for K-pop, which has faced challenges in securing Grammy recognition despite its massive global popularity. Notable artists like BTS have received five Grammy nominations over the years without a win, while Blackpink's Rose earned three nominations, including Song of the Year and Record of the Year, for her collaboration with Bruno Mars on APT.
Golden's triumph at the 68th Grammy Awards demonstrates how K-pop continues to evolve and gain recognition in mainstream Western award circuits. The achievement signals a new era for the genre, potentially paving the way for more K-pop artists to receive similar accolades in future Grammy ceremonies.
The success of Golden and the fictional group Huntr/x highlights the creative possibilities when animation, film, and music converge, creating cultural moments that resonate across global audiences and award platforms.
