K-pop Demon Hunters, a Korean-led Netflix animated feature, wins two Oscars.

The 98th Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles saw Netflix’s animated feature, K-pop Demon Hunters, win two prizes: Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song. The film’s success underscored the growing reach of Korean-led content in the U.S. awards landscape and on streaming platforms.

The Best Original Song winner, Lee Jae, a singer and producer, delivered a brief acceptance speech thanking the Academy and reflecting on his experiences growing up. He said people once teased him for liking K, and now many people sing in Korean, which he called something to be proud of. As he began to continue his remarks, a one-minute time window for six winners was announced.

Director Maggie Kang, who accepted the Best Animated Feature trophy, also completed a short speech before descending from the stage, cut short by the same time constraints. By contrast, other categories’ winners were allotted roughly four minutes, a disparity that drew attention.

CNN described the moment as potentially sidelining K-pop fans and raised questions about fairness and representation at a major awards show. The network noted that Lee Jae’s moment was brief and punctuated by music signaling the end of his time, which many viewers found disappointing.

Observers also noted that winners appeared to avoid addressing geopolitically sensitive topics, such as tensions between the United States and Iran, during or around the ceremony. The decision to steer clear of those issues drew mixed reactions from audiences watching for broader commentary from award recipients.

For U.S. readers, the incident matters beyond a single ceremony. It highlights how non-English, non-Western productions are increasingly competing for top film honors and how streaming platforms like Netflix are financing and promoting Korean storytelling to global audiences. The outcome signals potential shifts in how the American audience discovers and values international animation, music, and cultural productions.

Context for readers: the Academy Awards are a central U.S. cultural institution that shapes global perceptions of film and music excellence. Netflix invests heavily in international animation and Korean talent, aiming to broaden its catalog with content that appeals to diverse markets. K-pop Demon Hunters’ success demonstrates the cross-border appeal of Korean-language storytelling and could influence future collaborations, licensing, and distribution strategies in the U.S. market.