KdeHun Wins Two Oscars, Signaling Korea's Rise in Global Animation

The Netflix animated feature K-Pop Demon Hunters, known in Korea as KdeHun, directed by Megi Kang, won two prizes at the 98th Academy Awards in Los Angeles: Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song. The wins followed earlier victories at the Golden Globes and the Grammys, marking a rare “two-category” Oscar triumph for a Korean-created project.

The awards position KdeHun among the top contenders in a ceremony that also featured heavyweights such as Disney’s Zootopia 2 and Pixar’s Elio. Industry observers say the win signals the growing reach of Korean content in mainstream American film awards and reflects Netflix’s expanding role in global English- and non-English-language productions.

KdeHun tells the story of Huntrix, a demon-hunting girl group, who confronts the demon boy group Lions Boys. The narrative weaves K-pop aesthetics with elements of shamanic belief, a blend that helped the film stand out in a crowded field. The film’s music and on-screen performances have been central to its appeal.

Since its release last June, KdeHun has drawn more than 500 million global views on Netflix, according to the report. The film has been described as one of Netflix’s most-watched titles, reportedly surpassing the popularity of the streaming service’s other major hits, including Squid Game.

The Oscar-winning original song is titled Golden, which is noted as making K-pop history by topping both the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Official Singles Chart Top 100. The track’s popularity has extended beyond the film, fueling social media challenges tied to the movie’s songs, including a dance routine to Soda Pop.

Director Megi Kang dedicated the awards to Korea and to Koreans worldwide, saying the achievement comes after a long wait for a project with characters who resemble people she knows. She added that the next generation should not have to wait as long for such opportunities.

Another film, One Battle After Another, dominated the ceremony with six wins, including Best Picture and Best Director for Paul Thomas Anderson. It also won Best Supporting Actor for Sean Penn, highlighting a year with strong performances from both veteran and emerging talents.

Michael B. Jordan won Best Actor for the film Cynus: Sinners, while Jessie Buckley took Best Actress for Hamnet. The Oscar night underscored a wide range of American and international productions sharing the stage, with K-deHun’s two prizes standing out as a turning point for Korean-led animation on the global stage.

For U.S. readers, the success highlights how Korean creators are increasingly influencing global entertainment markets through streaming platforms, music, and cross-cultural storytelling. It signals potential shifts in collaboration, investment, and talent pipelines between the United States and Korea, with hard implications for entertainment demand, supply chains, and cultural exchange.