Netflix animation ‘K-pop Demon Hunters’ showcased the power of ‘K-culture’ by winning two Academy Awards (Oscars). [Photo=Yonhap News]

Netflix animation ‘K-pop Demon Hunters’ showcased the power of ‘K-culture’ by winning two Academy Awards (Oscars).

‘K-pop Demon Hunters’ simultaneously won the Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song awards at the 98th Academy Awards, held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, on the 15th (local time).

Although there were no Korean films among this year's nominees, the win for ‘K-pop Demon Hunters,’ which incorporates Korean elements, is expected to greatly contribute to expanding the reach of K-culture.

Furthermore, the performance of the theme song ‘Golden,’ a blend of traditional Korean dance and pansori, served as an opportunity to imprint K-culture's presence on global film fans.

Maggie Kang, co-director of ‘K-pop Demon Hunters,’ stated in her acceptance speech, "It took so long for a movie like this, with protagonists who resemble me, to be made. I'm sorry," and added, "I dedicate this award to Korea and Koreans worldwide."

Lee Jae, the singer and co-lyricist/composer of the theme song ‘Golden,’ emotionally shared, "When I was young, people made fun of me for liking K-pop, but now everyone is singing our songs."

With this achievement, ‘K-pop Demon Hunters’ has accomplished the feat of sweeping major awards at the Golden Globe, Grammy, and Academy Awards ceremonies. In January, ‘K-pop Demon Hunters’ received the awards for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song at the Golden Globe Awards, and last month at the Grammy Awards, it was announced as the winner of Best Song Written for Visual Media, marking the first time a K-pop genre won a trophy.

In addition to the awards, the performance of the original soundtrack (OST) ‘Golden’ from ‘K-pop Demon Hunters,’ which had been highly anticipated even before the ceremony, also became a focal point of discussion.

A scene from the Netflix animation ‘K-pop Demon Hunters’. [Movie Still Cut]

The performance began with a female sorikkun (traditional Korean singer) in a hanbok singing the pansori section of the ‘K-pop Demon Hunters’ OST ‘Hunter's Mantra’: "To light up the darkness, we will sing our song, with this firm voice, we will mend this world." As the song started, 24 performers, including a samulnori (traditional Korean percussion quartet) ensemble, dancers wearing lion boy hats, took the stage to present a traditional Korean dance performance.

Subsequently, as Lee Jae, the vocalist of ‘K-pop Demon Hunters’ protagonists Huntrexx, along with Audrey Nuna and Ray Amiga, passionately sang ‘Golden,’ actors such as Leonardo DiCaprio and Emma Stone were captured enjoying the festival by waving light sticks.

However, the organizers' decision to cut short the acceptance speeches of the ‘K-pop Demon Hunters’ awardees and transition to a commercial break sparked controversy over discrimination.

Reporter Im Yo-hee