‘Golden’ Wins, Marking K-Pop’s First Grammy Victory

The K-pop landscape has reached a significant milestone with its first Grammy victory. The song “Golden,” featured in the acclaimed film “KPop Demon Hunters,” won the award for best song written for visual media at the Grammy Awards pre-telecast ceremony in Los Angeles, marking a historic achievement for the genre.

About “Golden”

“Golden” is a self-empowerment anthem, showcasing the character Ejae, who performs as a member of the fictional girl group Huntr/x. The song made waves in 2025, dominating the Hot 100 chart for an impressive eight weeks. It was nominated for four accolades at the 68th annual Grammy Awards, highlighting its popularity and impact.

Key Achievements of “Golden”

• Won Grammy for Best Song Written for Visual Media
• Eight weeks at number one on the Hot 100
• Nominated for Song of the Year and Best Pop/Duo Performance
• Nominated for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media

The track’s writers include notable figures such as Ejae, Park Hong Jun, Joong Gyu Kwak, Yu Han Lee, Hee Dong Nam, Jeong Hoon Seo, and Mark Sonnenblick. Its critical success extends beyond the Grammys, as it also earned a nomination for Best Original Song at the upcoming Oscars and won the Golden Globe for the same category earlier this year.

Historic K-Pop Representation

In a significant nod to K-pop, Rosé from Blackpink achieved a historic Grammy nomination for her collaboration with Bruno Mars titled “Apt.,” competing in the coveted Record of the Year and Song of the Year categories. Previously, BTS had garnered five nominations, including for Album of the Year alongside Coldplay’s “Music of the Spheres,” but they had not secured a win.

Emerging Talent in K-Pop

• Kateseye, a new girl group formed with Hybe, nominated for Best New Artist
• Their music blends various genres, distinguishing them from traditional K-pop

Historically, K-pop has seen limited recognition at the Grammys. However, the Recording Academy has expanded its voting body to include several influential artists and producers from the K-pop community, signifying a shift in the industry’s inclusiveness and recognition.

The recognition of “Golden” and the growing presence of K-pop artists at major award shows is a testament to the genre’s global impact and evolving nature. As K-pop continues to push boundaries, fans eagerly await the potential for more accolades in the future.