Kpop Demon Hunters In Seoul Sparks Tourism Surge, Eyes Oscars
The animated feature kpop demon hunters, a global streaming phenomenon that has already collected major awards this season, arrives at the 98th Academy Awards with two nominations and another headline-making moment: a live performance of its hit song on the Oscars stage. The film’s twin nominations and prior wins have fueled increased attention to the title and to locations featured in the story.
Kpop Demon Hunters Eyes Two Oscar Categories After Awards Run
The film is nominated for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song at the Academy Awards. It previously won both the Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song at the Golden Globes, and its song “Golden” took home the Grammy for Best Song Written for Visual Media, marking a first for a K-pop song by Korean composers in that category. The feature remains in contention against several animated films and its song competes with multiple original tracks from other nominated motion pictures.
Viewership, Music Charts and Cultural Impact
The title became the most-watched entry in the streaming service’s history, surpassing 500 million cumulative views, and its influence has extended beyond screens. The track “Golden, ” performed in the film by EJAE with Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami as the fictional girl group Huntrix, reached No. 1 on major national charts including the Billboard Hot 100 and the British Official Singles Chart. The combined commercial and awards momentum has coincided with a measurable uptick in interest in cultural sites shown in the movie, including visitor increases at a national museum and growing tourism to landmarks in Seoul that appear in the animation.
Live Oscars Performance and Stakes for the Song
Performers EJAE, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami are set to deliver “Golden” live on the Academy Awards stage, and the actor who voiced the lead character in the film will be in attendance. The live showcase adds a high-profile moment to the film’s awards night presence and highlights the song’s role as a central driver of the property’s crossover popularity between film and popular music.
Production Credits, Story and Competition
Directed by Maggie Kang, the action-fantasy animation follows three K-pop superstars who secretly defend the world from malevolent spirits. The song “Golden” was written and produced by a team that includes several noted K-pop producers—Teddy, 24, and the collective IDO, composed of Lee Yu-han, Kwak Joong-gyu and Nam Hee-dong—with EJAE contributing vocals for the character Rumi. In the Best Animated Feature category the film faces competition from several other titles, while the Best Original Song field includes competing tracks from a variety of nominated films.
With awards-season momentum, record-breaking streaming figures and a planned live performance on the Academy Awards broadcast, the project has turned into a cross-cultural entertainment event. Observers will watch closely to see whether the film and its song add Oscar wins to their growing list of distinctions, and what further effects any additional trophies might have on audience interest and tourism tied to the film’s on-screen locations.
