The fictional K-pop group Huntr/x, stars of the animated Netflix film KPop Demon Hunters, have received an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song for their track 'Golden'. The film itself is also nominated for Best Animated Feature at this year's Academy Awards.
Huntr/x are brought to life by singers Audrey Nuna, 26, Ejae, 34, and Rei Ami, 30. Their song 'Golden' became the second most popular track globally in 2025, surpassed only by Rose's collaboration with Bruno Mars on 'APT'. The film follows the animated group as they battle the demonic Saja Boys.
Ejae, who voices the character Rumi, initially joined the project as a songwriter but was offered the role after directors were impressed by her demo vocals. She previously trained with SM Entertainment in the early 2000s and later wrote hits for groups such as Red Velvet, Aespa, Twice, and Le Sserafim. 'This whole thing has changed my life 180 — and that feels like an understatement,' she said.
Audrey Nuna, who sings as Mira, is a New Jersey-born artist with three albums to her name. Rei Ami, the voice of Zoey, gained fame after featuring on Sub Urban's 2020 viral hit 'Freak' and has since released a mixtape and an EP. The trio's characters have been turned into toys by Lego and Mattel, and Hasbro has released a card game and Monopoly adaptation.
The soundtrack for KPop Demon Hunters was the third best-selling album worldwide in 2025, according to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI). Huntr/x have also been nominated for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the Grammys and received nods at the Brit Awards, where a pre-recorded performance of 'Golden' aired. They performed at the Baftas and won Best Song at the Critics' Choice Awards and Golden Globes.
K-pop's influence continues to grow, with BTS set to return in 2026 after completing military service. Huntr/x will compete for Best Original Song at the Oscars against other nominees, while KPop Demon Hunters vies for Best Animated Feature.
