When Netflix released KPop Demon Hunters, it would not have thought that the animated film would become a global phenomenon, let alone compete for the Oscars. Released on the streaming platform on June
20, the animated musical has broken several records, including becoming the platform’s biggest animated original feature to date. And its achievements seem to be unending.
KPop Demon Hunters is officially one step closer to Academy Awards glory. On Tuesday, December 16, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences revealed the shortlists in 12 categories for the 98th Oscars. Among the shortlisted contenders for Best Original Song is Golden, the chart-topping track has been sung by EJAE, Audrey Nuna and REI AMI.
The track was written by EJAE and Mark Sonnenblick and produced by well-known names, including 24, Ido, Teddy Park and Ian Eisendrath. The track was released as an official single by Republic Records on July 4 as a three-track bundle, which includes Golden, Golden – Instrumental and Golden – A Cappella.
Full List Of Best Original Song Shortlist For 98th Academy Awards
This year’s Best Original Song shortlist features 15 songs selected from 65 eligible entries. Both the shortlist and final nominees were chosen through voting by members of the Music Branch of the Academy. Check out the full list of Best Original Song Shortlist:
As Alive As You Need Me To Be from Tron: Ares
Dear Me from Diane Warren: Relentless
Dream As One from Avatar: Fire and Ash
Drive from F1
Dying To Live from Billy Idol Should Be Dead
Golden from KPop Demon Hunters
Highest 2 Lowest from Highest 2 Lowest
I Lied to You from Sinners
Our Love from The Ballad of Wallis Island
No Place Like Home from Wicked: For Good
The Girl in the Bubble from Wicked: For Good
Salt Then Sour Then Sweet from Come See Me in the Good Light
Sweet Dreams of Joy from Viva Verdi!
Train Dreams from Train Dreams
The official nominations for the 98th Academy Awards will be announced on January 22, 2026, and the awards ceremony is scheduled for March 15, 2026.
Netflix To Release KPop Demon Hunters 2
The animated musical film, directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, follows a K-pop girl group, Huntrix, who lead double lives. They are idols by day, and at night, they hunt demons. Their lives take a turn when a rival boy band, the Saja Boys, suddenly takes over their fandom, whose members are secretly demons. Huntrix faces off against the boy band to close the golden honeymoon and protect humans.
The film features voice performances by Arden Cho, Ahn Hyo Seop, May Hong, Ji Young Yoo, Yunjin Kim, Daniel Dae Kim, Ken Jeong, and Lee Byung Hun. After the massive success of the first animated film, the team is gearing up for another high-energy adventure with the all-girl demon-slaying band. If all goes as planned, KPop Demon Hunters 2 will be released on Netflix in 2029.
