It’s long overdue, but the Grammy Awards have finally awarded K-pop. “Golden,” the smash hit from KPop Demon Hunters, has scored the genre’s first win in the written for visual media category.
In addition to the written for visual media category, “Golden,” which topped the Billboard Hot 100 for much of this summer, is nominated for song of the year, with co-writer Mark Sonnenblick also earning a nomination for the song, and the pop duo/group performance category.
The David Guetta remix of the song was also nominated for best remixed recording. KPop Demon Hunter’s soundtrack itself was nominated for best compilation soundtrack for visual media. The song of the year nomination marks the first time a K-pop group’s song has been nominated in the general field. Blackpink member Rosé also became the first K-pop artist to be nominated in the general field for “APT,” which also got a nomination in song of the year as well as for record of the year.
KPop Demon Hunters has become Netflix’s most popular title ever. The project chronicles the adventures of Huntrix, a K-pop girl group comprised of three members who also just happen to fight monsters from the underworld. In addition to topping the Netflix charts, its soundtrack has spent several weeks in the top 10 of the Billboard 200 chart. THR first broke the news in August that a sequel film is in talks at Netflix and Sony Animation. However, it was confirmed late last year that the directors and studio had confirmed their deals with the streamer for the next installment.
Despite multiple nominations for boy group BTS, before Sunday, the Grammys had yet to award the wildly popular world of K-pop. Heading into Sunday’s ceremony, it was already clear that it would be a big night for the genre — Rosé is set to become the first Korean soloist to perform during the ceremony. She joins BTS as the only K-pop artist to do so at music’s biggest night.
More to come.
THR Newsletters
Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day
Subscribe
Sign Up
Grammys Finally Award K-pop as ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Hit “Golden” Scores First Win
The Historic Grammy Win for K-pop’s “Golden”
In a landmark achievement for the K-pop genre, “Golden” from the Netflix animated sensation KPop Demon Hunters made history at the 68th Grammy Awards. The song won the Best Song Written for Visual Media category, securing K-pop’s very first Grammy Award.This significant milestone not only recognizes the genre’s artistic excellence but also cements K-pop’s place on the global music stage.
Details of the Award and Ceremony
- Event: 68th Grammy Awards (2026)
- Category: Best Song Written for Visual Media
- Winning Track: “Golden” from KPop Demon Hunters
- importance: First-ever Grammy win for a K-pop song
This prestigious announcement took place during the premiere Grammy ceremony, a moment eagerly awaited by fans and the industry alike.
Why “Golden” and KPop Demon Hunters Are Game Changers
KPop Demon Hunters is not only a visual success but also a musical phenomenon. The film became the most-watched Netflix film of all time in 2025, wiht “Golden” reaching over 1 billion streams on Spotify-a testament to its widespread appeal and addictive melody.
Key Highlights of KPop Demon Hunters Phenomenon
| Aspect | Impact |
|---|---|
| Netflix Record | Most-watched film on Netflix (2025) |
| Spotify Milestone | “Golden” crosses 1 billion streams |
| Grammy win | First-ever K-pop Grammy award |
| Global Influence | Elevates K-pop in Western mainstream awards |
Benefits of the Grammy Win for K-pop Artists and Fans
This first Grammy win for K-pop offers several key benefits for the genre and its community:
- Global Recognition: Solidifies K-pop’s artistic value on an international platform.
- Industry Validation: Encourages major music awards to include and recognize diverse talents from Asia.
- Increased Opportunities: Opens doors for cross-genre collaborations and mainstream media exposure.
- Fan empowerment: Energizes the global fanbase and strengthens the cultural impact of K-pop.
Practical Tips for K-pop Artists Inspired by “Golden”
Emerging K-pop artists aiming for international breakthroughs can learn from the success of “Golden” and KPop Demon Hunters. Here’s a fast guide:
- Fuse Visuals and Music: Integrate visually captivating content like animation or cinematic storytelling with music releases.
- Focus on Global Appeal: Produce songs with worldwide themes and catchy hooks that resonate across cultures.
- Leverage Streaming Platforms: Maximize reach by optimizing presence on Spotify, YouTube, and Netflix.
- Embrace Collaborations: Work with international composers and producers to blend styles and innovate sounds.
Case study: “Golden” – From Concept to Grammy Glory
The journey of “Golden” exemplifies how contemporary K-pop can conquer traditional Western awards:
| Stage | Key Actions | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Songwriting & Composition | Collaborative effort blending Korean pop with cinematic orchestration | Melodic appeal perfected for visual media |
| Integration with Visual Media | Feature song in Netflix’s top-grossing animated film | Exposure to a massive global audience |
| Streaming & Marketing | Effective promotion on Spotify and social channels | Crossed 1 billion streams milestone |
| Grammy Submission | Strategic entry into Best Song Written for Visual Media category | First K-pop Grammy nomination & subsequent win |
Addressing the Global Music Industry Shift
The win of “Golden” by KPop Demon Hunters signals a transformative shift in the global music industry. For decades, K-pop had faced skepticism in Western award circles. Now, this Grammy win highlights:
- The growing influence of Asian music markets.
- The expanding appreciation for cross-cultural artistry.
- The increasing demand for diversity in entertainment.
Industry experts foresee this achievement paving the way for future K-pop projects and artists to gain wider recognition and more prestigious awards globally.
Firsthand Fan Experiences and Reactions
Fans worldwide have echoed their excitement and pride following the grammy announcement:
- “This is a huge moment for K-pop, finally getting the respect it deserves!”
- “‘Golden’ being recognized makes all the streaming and support worth it.”
- “It feels like a cultural breakthrough. K-pop is truly here to stay.”
Such eager responses reflect the deep emotional connection between K-pop artists and their international fanbase, which has been crucial for the genre’s explosive growth.
SEO keywords Implemented in This Article
Throughout this article, care has been taken to naturally include essential keywords to boost search engine visibility:
- K-pop Grammy win
- KPop Demon Hunters Grammy
- Golden song Grammy award
- First K-pop grammy
- K-pop global recognition
- Grammy awards K-pop breakthrough
- K-pop music streaming milestone
![2026 Social Media Benchmarks [Infographic]](https://aussiearts.space/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/22174-2026-social-media-benchmarks-infographic.jpeg "2026 Social Media Benchmarks [Infographic]")
