“They used to mock K-pop, now everyone sings it”…‘KDH’ wins two Oscars

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(From left) Rei Ami, Lee Jae, and Audrey Nuna perform ‘Golden(Golden)’ at the 98th Academy Awards held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, United States, on the 15th (local time), the song that earned <K-Pop Demon Hunters> Best Original Song. AP Yonhap News

The Netflix animated film <K-Pop Demon Hunters> (<KDH>), which draws on K-pop idols and Korean shamanism, took two awards at the Academy Awards (the Oscars).

<KDH> captured Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song at the 98th Academy Awards held on the 15th (local time) at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles (LA), California. After its release last June, the film achieved record-breaking popularity with milestones such as ‘over 500 million global views’ and ‘the first K-pop genre No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100,’ and it capped its journey with a triumph at Hollywood’s most prestigious film awards.

“This award is for Korea and Koreans around the world.”

Director Maggie Kang, a Korean Canadian, said this from the podium as she held the Best Animated Feature trophy. In a trembling voice, she said she was sorry that it took so long for a film with “people who look like me” as protagonists to arrive, but added that the next generation would not have to wait. Kang became the first director of Korean descent to win in this category, beating strong contenders including Disney’s <Zootopia 2>, Pixar’s <Elio>, and the French films <Arco> and <Little Amelie>.

Directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans of <K-Pop Demon Hunters> and producer Michelle Wong hold up the Best Animated Feature trophy at the 98th Academy Awards on the 15th (local time). AFP Yonhap News

Co-director Chris Appelhans said that music and stories have the power to connect us beyond cultures and borders, and he wanted to tell young filmmakers, artists, and musicians: “Tell your story. Sing in your own voice. The world is waiting.”

The composers who won Best Original Song for ‘Golden(Golden)’ were also overwhelmed with emotion. Vocalist and co-lyricist and composer Lee Jae said that people used to tease him as a child for liking K-pop, but now everyone sings their songs and follows the Korean lyrics, adding that he felt truly proud. He said he realized that this award is not about success, but about the power to endure and recover.

However, co-creators including IDO (Gwak Jung-gyu, Lee Yu-han, and Nam Hee-dong), who shared the stage, were unable to speak due to time constraints. The organizers played the play-off music and cut off their acceptance remarks, prompting accusations of disrespect when compared with other categories that were given ample time. CNN reported, “The Oscars should not dismiss K-pop like that. It was a meaningful moment, and with enough time it could have been an even greater scene. Shameful.”

Before the ‘Golden’ performance at the 98th Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, on the 15th (local time), dancers in hanbok performed Korean dance to the “Hunter’s Mantra.” EPA Yonhap News

At the 98th Academy Awards on the 15th (local time), the <K-Pop Demon Hunters> ‘Golden’ number was staged as a celebratory performance. The audience waved K-pop light sticks in response. EPA Yonhap News

Just before Best Original Song was presented, the <KDH> team opened its celebratory set with a pansori section from “Hunter’s Mantra.” To the lyrics “We shall sing our song to light the dark / With this steadfast sound, we shall mend this world,” 24 performers, including dancers dressed as grim reapers like the in-film ‘Saja Boys’ and samulnori musicians with traditional instruments such as drums, offered a graceful Korean dance. Then Lee Jae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami took the stage as the in-film girl group ‘Huntrix’ and belted out ‘Golden.’ A striking sight unfolded as actors including Leonardo DiCaprio and Emma Stone waved K-pop light sticks from the audience.

Director Paul Thomas Anderson of <One Battle After Another> poses after receiving Best Director at the 98th Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on the 15th (local time). EPA Yonhap News

<One Battle After Another> emerged as the night’s big winner, sweeping six including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Supporting Actor (Sean Penn), and the newly established Casting Award. Paul Thomas Anderson took home an Oscar for the first time in his career. Anderson said there were many excellent films this time and that he was glad to be part of a wonderful journey alongside the nominated works and fellow directors.

The film follows Bob Ferguson (Leonardo DiCaprio), a retired former member of an underground revolutionary organization, as he sets out to find his daughter Willa (Chase Infinity), who faces a kidnapping threat, in a chase thriller. Anderson depicts Latino immigrants, represented by Sergio (Benicio del Toro), as allies of the father and daughter, and white supremacists, represented by Steven Rockzo (Sean Penn), as villains. In the era of President Donald Trump, who has pushed hardline policies excluding immigrants, this film portraying ‘revolutionary’ solidarity among minorities earned acclaim from critics and audiences.

Michael B. Jordan, who played twins Smoke and Stack in a dual role in <Sinners: Sinners>, kisses his trophy after winning Best Actor at the 98th Academy Awards. EPA Yonhap News

<Sinners: Sinners> (directed by Ryan Coogler), which set a record for the most nominations in Academy history with 16 across all categories, won four including Best Original Screenplay, Best Original Score, Best Cinematography, and Best Actor (Michael B. Jordan). Cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw became the first female winner of Best Cinematography in Oscar history.

<Sinners: Sinners> is set in 1930s Mississippi, when anti-Black racism persisted, fusing blues music and culture with vampire horror. Michael B. Jordan, who played the very different twins Smoke and Stack in a dual role, won Best Actor and paid tribute to veteran Black actors. He said, “I could stand here because of Sidney Poitier, Denzel Washington, Halle Berry, Jamie Foxx, Forest Whitaker, and Will Smith,” adding, “I will keep moving forward and become the coolest version of myself that I can be.”

Jessie Buckley, who won Best Actress at the 98th Academy Awards for <Hamnet>, poses with her trophy. AFP Yonhap News

Best Actress was called for Jessie Buckley, who played Agnes, Shakespeare’s wife, in <Hamnet>. Amy Madigan, who portrayed the grotesque grandmother Gladys in the horror film <Weapon> (directed by Zach Cregger), won Best Supporting Actress. Guillermo del Toro’s Netflix film <Frankenstein> swept Best Costume Design, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, and Best Production Design. Joachim Trier’s <Sentimental Value> (Norway) won International Feature Film.

Amid an ongoing war involving the United States and Israel on one side and Iran on the other, the ceremony also underscored messages of anti-war, unity, and peace. Actor Javier Bardem took the stage as a presenter wearing a badge with the Spanish phrase “No a la Guerra” (No to war) on his chest. He declared, “No to war, freedom for Palestine.”

Pavel Talakin, who won Best Documentary Feature for <Everyone Against Putin>, which captures Russian classrooms turned into platforms for state propaganda after the war with Ukraine, said in Russian that there are countries where bombs and drones fall instead of shooting stars, urging that in the name of every child, all wars must stop now.