The Oscars ceremony also included a performance of the KPop Demon Hunters anthem Golden, which won the prize for best original song, featuring 24 dancers, pansori vocals and drumming.

As their voices resonated, the voice of film character Celine echoed, reminding the audience that “Our music unites the soul and brings people together,” a core message of HUNTR/X's purpose.

While stars like Leonardo DiCaprio, Steven Spielberg and Emma Stone were seen waving K-pop light sticks in the audience, bringing Korean culture into the heart of Hollywood.

“Golden” made history in more ways than one. It became the first K-pop song to ever win an Academy Award, a huge milestone for the genre.

The song also set a record as the first Oscar-winning song with more than four writers, boasting seven creative minds: EJAE, Mark Sonnenblick, Joong Gyu Kwak, Yu-Han Lee, Hee Dong Nam, Jeong Hoon Seo, and Teddy Park.

But there’s a twist: the Academy usually limits Best Original Song trophies to two people (four in rare cases).

With seven writers, “Golden” couldn’t give everyone their own statuette. Instead, they all share a single group Oscar, though officially, they are all Oscar winners.

A historic win with a modern twist!

During her acceptance speech, EJAE, speaking for the songwriting team, shared an emotional message about “resilience.”

She said through tears:

“People used to make fun of me for loving K-pop, but now everyone’s singing our song—even the Korean lyrics. I’m so proud.”

She thanked the Academy, her family, and the KPop Demon Hunters team.

The moment got cut short when co-writer Yu-Han Lee tried to speak, but the music came back on as the show went to commercial.

“Golden” had already made history before the Oscars and on February 1, it became the first K-pop song to win a Grammy for Best Song Written for Visual Media.

It also won at the Critics Choice Awards and Golden Globes.

On the same night, KPop Demon Hunters won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature, making it a huge night for K-pop.

The song also broke chart records. It’s only the third song in over 20 years to spend 8+ weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and win an Oscar for Best Original Song.

“Golden” shows that K-pop is now a global force in music and film.