Keduhun, which won an Oscar, celebrates with K-Pop + pansori + samulnori
The Netflix animation 'K-Pop Demon Hunters' won two awards at the 98th Academy Awards, including Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song, celebrated by Korean director Maggie Kang and the creative team.
At the 98th Academy Awards held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, the Netflix animated feature 'K-Pop Demon Hunters' took home two prestigious Oscars: Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song. Director Maggie Kang dedicated the wins to Koreans both in Korea and around the globe, expressing gratitude to the Academy and fans who supported the film. This win adds to the film's previous accolades from the Golden Globe and Grammy awards, marking a significant achievement for Korean representation in international cinema.
Maggie Kang, alongside co-director Chris Apfelhands and producer Michelle Wong, expressed their joy on stage, highlighting how long it had taken for filmmakers of Korean descent to gain rightful recognition in Hollywood. Kang's emotional speech resonated with many, particularly the Korean immigrant communities, as she assured that the next generation would not have to wait as long for their stories to be told on the big screen. The film's triumph challenges the longstanding underrepresentation of Korean narratives in mainstream Western media.
In addition to the awards, the ceremony featured a performance of the winning song 'Golden', presented by composer and singer Lee Jae, who recalled being teased as a child for loving K-Pop music. He expressed heartfelt pride in how far Korean music has come and its acceptance worldwide. The celebration of 'K-Pop Demon Hunters' serves not just as a personal victory for its creators, but also as a milestone for Korean culture and representation in the global entertainment industry.