The 68th Annual Grammy Awards marked a milestone moment for K-pop as “Golden,” the hit song from the Netflix animated film KPop Demon Hunters, secured the Best Song Written for Visual Media category at the Grammys’ premiere ceremony in Los Angeles. The track’s win represents the first Grammy awarded to a K-pop–associated song, underscoring the genre’s growing influence on the global music stage.
Performed by the fictional girl group HUNTR/X voiced by real artists EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami “Golden” has already become a cultural phenomenon since its release in mid-2025. The soundtrack dominated charts worldwide, topping the Billboard Hot 100 for multiple weeks and becoming a defining global hit well before its Grammy recognition.
The Grammy award is presented to the songwriters, with credits going to EJAE, Teddy, 24, Ido, and Mark Sonnenblick. The win comes after “Golden” received multiple nominations, including Song of the Year, Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, and Best Remixed Recording, reflecting its wide acclaim.
Industry analysts say the recognition signals a broadening of the Recording Academy’s acknowledgment of international pop, particularly music connected to visual media. While BTS and other K-pop acts have previously earned nominations, “Golden” is the first track tied directly to the K-pop genre and its affiliated artists to win a Grammy.
Fans and industry commentators noted the significance of the achievement on social media, many viewing it as a symbolic breakthrough for Korean popular music beyond traditional award circuits. KPop Demon Hunters has also garnered acclaim in other award arenas, winning Golden Globe and Critics’ Choice Awards earlier, and continues to build momentum as it heads toward the Academy Awards with an Oscar nomination for the same song.
As “Golden” secures this historic accolade, it reflects not only the track’s artistic impact but also the expanding role of K-pop and K-pop–inspired music in global entertainment.
Read also: ‘Golden’ by HUNTR/X Takes Golden Globe for Best Original Song
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