Highlights
- KPop Demon Hunters’ Golden secures Best Song Written for Visual Media at the Grammys 2026.
- The Netflix film’s breakout track previously ranked on Billboard Hot 100.
- The Grammy win highlights the evolution of K-pop soundtracks within global visual media.
Golden, from Netflix’s animated film KPop Demon Hunters, has won the 2026 Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media. Marking a rare victory for a K-pop–driven soundtrack in a major U.S. music category, the win went to Golden’s songwriters EJAE, Joong Gyu Kwak, Park Hong Jun (Teddy Park), Jeong Hoon Seo (aka 24), Yu Han Lee, Mark Sonnenblick, and Hee Dong Nam.
The award was presented on Feb 1, 2026, during the Grammy Premiere Ceremony in Los Angeles, recognizing songwriting created specifically for film and television. The song is performed by fictional girl group Huntrix in the movie, while the voice behind it includes EJAE, Rei Ami, and Audrey Nuna.
KPop Demon Hunters, released in 2025 on Netflix, became a cultural phenomenon with its record-breaking performance on the OTT and was positioned as “Breakthrough of the Year (2025),” by Time. Before being nominated for the Grammys 2026, Golden became the first K-pop song to enter the UK Official Singles Chart, alongside the Billboard Hot 100.
Apart from the movie winning multiple accolades, Golden also won Critics' Choice Awards for Best Original Song and the 83rd Golden Globe Awards for Best Original Song - Motion Picture.
The Significance of KPop Demon Hunters’ Golden Winning at Grammys 2026
Golden’s win in the Best Song Written for Visual Media category became more significant as it was competing against other hit compositions such as I Lied to You, Sinners, As Alive as You Need Me to Be, and Never Too Late.
During the ceremony, producer Hoon Seo, gave a speech in both English and Korean, dedicating the award to his mentor Teddy Park and calling him “Pioneer of K-Pop Teddy.”
While Golden’s Grammy win marked a historical moment, critics have pointed out some caveats. According to music critic Hee-yun’s view, Golden is similar to “an American pop song,” as “it follows American pop conventions, and the structure.” He has also positioned the win as an effect of KPop Demon Hunters’ global reach.
Golden was also nominated for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, Non-Classical, Best Remixed Recording, and Song of the Year categories. Another prominent K-Pop nomination for the Song of the Year category was BLACKPINK’s Rose’s APT, which also lost to Eilish’s Wildflower.
Despite criticism, Golden reflected K-pop’s growth and its ability to meet Grammys standards. The victory for also added to the growing list of KPop Demon Hunters awards and strengthens the franchise’s position as a global multimedia property.
