In a landmark moment for Korean pop music, the song "Golden" has secured the first-ever Grammy Award for a K-pop track. The winning composition features as the lead single from Netflix's animated film KPop Demon Hunters, performed by the fictional girl group HUNTR/X.
A Historic Victory at the 68th Grammys
The groundbreaking win occurred during the 68th Annual Grammy Awards' pre-telecast premiere ceremony, where "Golden" claimed the prestigious award for Best Song Written for Visual Media. This achievement marks a significant breakthrough for the K-pop genre, which has seen numerous nominations but no previous victories at the prestigious music awards.
The Creative Forces Behind the Winning Song
The vocal performances for HUNTR/X were provided by three talented artists: South Korean songwriter Ejae, who has previously collaborated with major K-pop acts including EXO and Red Velvet, alongside Korean-American artists Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami. Both Nuna and Ami have gained recognition in the United States for their innovative solo work and collaborations with artists such as Jack Harlow and Aminé.
Following the award presentation, Ejae reflected on the cultural significance of this achievement, stating: "Growing up, people didn't know where Korea was. Singing the Korean lyrics word by word, it means so much. I think this award is about that representation. Today's about celebrating culture."
Breaking Records and Setting New Standards
"Golden" has enjoyed remarkable success since its release as the summer's breakout hit, previously securing awards at both the Golden Globe and Critics' Choice Awards. The track made Billboard history by becoming the first all-female trio to top the charts since Destiny's Child, while also marking the first time an all-female group associated with K-pop has reached number one on the Hot 100.
Furthermore, the song represents only the second K-pop single ever to top the Official Singles Chart in the United Kingdom, following Psy's iconic "Gangnam Style" back in 2012.
Grammy Recognition for K-Pop Expands
This historic win concludes a series of near-misses for K-pop at the Grammys. While BTS became the first K-pop act to receive a nomination in 2021 and has been nominated several times since, they had not previously secured a victory. This year's ceremony saw expanded recognition for the genre, with Blackpink's Rosé receiving multiple nominations in major categories including Record of the Year and Song of the Year, while global group Katseye earned nominations for Best New Artist and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.
Beyond its Grammy success, "Golden" has also been nominated for Song of the Year, Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, and Best Remixed Recording at the Grammys, while additionally receiving a nomination for Best Original Song at the forthcoming Academy Awards.
Live Performances and Cultural Impact
The artists behind HUNTR/X made their live television debut performing "Golden" on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in October, followed by prominent appearances at the 2025 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and iHeartRadio's Jingle Ball event.
Netflix Success and Future Prospects
Since its June release, KPop Demon Hunters has become Netflix's most-watched animated film, topping the platform's global movie charts for four consecutive days. The film's reach expanded rapidly from 17 countries on its premiere day to 41 countries within just four days.
The film follows the story of popular K-pop girl group HUNTR/X, who lead double lives as hunters battling a rival boy band, the Saja Boys, who are revealed to be demons. Industry publication Deadline has reported that a sequel is currently in development, with a potential release scheduled for 2029, though no official announcement has been made by Netflix.
This Grammy victory represents not just a personal achievement for the artists involved, but a significant milestone for Korean popular music on the global stage, highlighting the growing influence and recognition of K-pop within the international music industry.
