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It is a true "triumphant return." Those who once endured a lonely and arduous "one-sided love" for their Korean roots have now captivated the world with Korean culture and returned to their spiritual home. They confessed their desire to dedicate the golden glory earned on the world’s most prestigious stage to Korea and its people, bringing that confession back in the form of golden trophies. Even for those born and raised in Korea, it would be difficult to express a deeper love for the nation than these creators have shown.

On the afternoon of April 1st, a press conference was held at CGV Yongsan I-Park Mall in Seoul to celebrate the Academy Award (Oscar) wins for the Netflix animation "K-Pop Demon Hunters" (KPDH), which masterfully blends K-pop with Korean heritage.

The event was attended by directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, along with EJAE (Lee Jae), the singer-songwriter who composed, wrote, and performed the OST "Golden," and the production team IDO (Lee Yu-han, Kwak Jung-gyu, Nam Hee-dong) from THEBLACKLABEL. IDO co-composed not only "Golden" but also other beloved tracks like "How It’s Done" and "Your Idol." The creators posed proudly with three Academy Award trophies brought to the venue.

"K-Pop Demon Hunters" is an action-fantasy animation following K-pop superstars Lumi, Mira, and Joy, who serve as hidden heroes protecting the world behind the glamour of the stage. Despite being a "local" animation featuring Korean traditions, music, and modern culture—elements once considered niche by global audiences—it achieved explosive popularity by forming a universal emotional connection.

The film's journey has been historic, sweeping the 53rd Annie Awards (Best Feature, Best Directing), the 31st Critics' Choice Awards (Best Animated Feature, Best Song), the 83rd Golden Globes, and the 68th Grammy Awards. Finally, at last month's 98th Academy Awards, it reached the pinnacle by winning Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song. This marks the first time the K-pop genre has secured trophies at the Golden Globes, Grammys, and Oscars simultaneously.

 
Tears of Immigrants Move the World
The acceptance speeches by Korean-Canadian director Maggie Kang and Korean-American artist EJAE left a profound impact on immigrants worldwide. During the Oscars, Kang stated, "I made a film with protagonists who look like me. This movie is for Korea and Koreans all over the world." EJAE added, "When I was young, I was teased for liking K-pop. Now, everyone is singing our songs and following Korean lyrics. This award doesn't just mean success; it means resilience."

Speaking to domestic reporters, both expanded on these sentiments. "The movies I watched growing up, like Mulan or Japanese animations, focused on Chinese or Japanese cultures. I never saw a work that captured Korean culture. I felt this was something I needed, but also something the Korean people needed," Kang explained.

"Growing up, I experienced many misunderstandings about being 'Gyopo' (overseas Korean). Many of us grow up feeling like we aren't 'fully' Korean." — Maggie Kang
Kang and EJAE aimed to be a bridge between Eastern and Western cultures. "I wanted to say that even if you weren't born and raised in Korea, you can still be part of its culture. Having a different upbringing doesn't make your 'Koreanness' insufficient. I am proud to be Korean," Kang emphasized.

EJAE, a former trainee at SM Entertainment who pivoted to production and songwriting, shared her personal struggle: "I spent half my life in the U.S. and half in Korea. I always dreamed of being a singer, but there weren't many Asian singers in America, so I naturally turned to K-pop artists like g.o.d and H.O.T. However, I used to be bullied for that interest."

EJAE performed "Golden" at the Academy Awards alongside Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami. The performance began with traditional Korean music (Gugak) and Pansori, delivering a deeply moving spectacle. "I cried a lot during rehearsals. Hearing the Pansori backstage gave me such confidence. I was so proud to showcase our traditional music on such a massive stage," she recalled.

Legendary figures like Leonardo DiCaprio, Emma Stone, and Steven Spielberg were spotted waving lightsticks during the performance. "To see world-class actors and directors cheering with lightsticks... the lyric 'forever unbreakable' from 'Golden' really hit home. I felt so proud of myself," EJAE said.

 
The 'KPDH' Legend Continues
Following its Academy success, a sequel for "K-Pop Demon Hunters" has been confirmed. With over 500 million cumulative views, making it the highest-grossing Netflix content of its kind, full support from the streaming giant is expected.

"I want to keep the details a secret," Maggie Kang teased. "We have the big ideas, but nothing is set in stone yet. However, just like the first one, Chris and I will make the movie we want to see. You can expect something bigger and more spectacular than the first."

Director Chris Appelhans, often affectionately called the "Korean Son-in-law" due to his 20-year marriage to a Korean woman, noted that his definition of "Koreanness" is the strength and pride found amidst adversity. This trait was infused into the character Lumi, who finds her power through enduring pain.

"Our relationship with the fans is special. They found us and introduced us to the world. We want to expand the original world without just repeating it," Appelhans said. "At the core will be 'Korean-esque' elements. Korean culture is the soul of this film, and we want to break rules while staying grounded in that foundation."

Regarding the potential return of the character Jin-woo, Appelhans cryptically replied, "Jin-woo lives on in our hearts. I can’t say more than that." Kang also hinted at potentially incorporating Trot and Heavy Metal into the next installment: "Trot is uniquely Korean, and Metal is a base for much of K-pop. I’m curious myself to see how they will fit into the story."

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