Netflix pushes 'Golden' from KPop Demon Hunters for Oscar's Best Original Song
KPop Demon Hunters. Photo source: Netflix
SHAH ALAM – Netflix has officially selected the upbeat track 'Golden' from its animated film KPop Demon Hunters as its contender for the Best Original Song category at the upcoming Academy Awards.
The energetic pop tune was co-written by South Korean-born artist Kim Eun-jae, known as EJAE and lyricist Mark Sonnenblick. KPop Demon Hunters. Photo source: Netflix
If 'Golden' secures a nomination in January, EJAE would become one of the very few songwriters of Korean heritage to be recognised by the Oscars.
Currently, the exclusive list features just one: Karen O, who was nominated in 2013 for co-writing 'The Moon Song'.
In KPop Demon Hunters, EJAE lends her voice as part of the fictional girl group Huntr/x, portraying the character Rumi.
She is joined by Audrey Nuna (as Mira) and Rei Ami (as Zoey).
The film premiered globally on Netflix on June 20.
EJAE is an accomplished singer-songwriter and producer, with credits including songs for major K-pop acts such as Red Velvet, aespa, LE SSERAFIM, TWICE, NMIXX and Kard.
Her collaborator Sonnenblick previously contributed lyrics to the musical adaptation of The Devil Wears Prada.
The deadline for Oscar submissions in the Best Original Song category is October 15.
Shortlists will be revealed on December 16, followed by official nominations on January 22.
The 2026 Academy Awards ceremony is scheduled for March 2.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
8 hours ago
- The Star
Edison Chen caught in public argument, a month after flight attendant clash
Hong Kong actor Edison Chen was seen arguing with a traveller who had allegedly shoved him at an airport in Shanghai. Photos: Edison Chen/Instagram, Xiaohongshu Just a month after reports surfaced of Edison Chen clashing with a flight attendant, the Hong Kong actor has once again found himself in another heated exchange at an airport in Shanghai. A netizen who witnessed the scene claimed that the 44-year-old got into an argument with a fellow traveller who had allegedly shoved him from behind. The altercation occurred near the security checkpoint around 7am on July 21. 'Ran into one of my favourite stars from my younger days, and it was during an awkward moment. He was pushed by a person behind him, and they got into an argument. Even the police had to get involved,' the netizen wrote on Xiaohongshu. Accompanying the post was a video clip showing Chen looking visibly upset, with his hands tucked in his pockets. The Infernal Affairs star stood next to a woman who could be seen speaking with authorities. 'In situations like this, all you can do is watch from afar. Celebrities are also ordinary people who deserve their space. I hope the issue gets resolved quickly,' the netizen added. For the record, Chen had reportedly threatened to get a flight attendant fired while on a flight between Tokyo and New York on June 1, after a disagreement over disembarkation procedures. According to his management, the Canadian-born actor was in the midst of retrieving his luggage when a passenger behind him began to move forward. When Chen politely asked to finish collecting his belongings first, a flight attendant intervened and said the other passenger could disembark first, citing his top-tier Diamond status. Chen, who reportedly held the same status, was left confused by the exchange, which ultimately led to the altercation.
The Star
12 hours ago
- The Star
Gripping new Korean drama 'The Defects' that tackles a modern-day illegal adoption ring makes its way to Tonton
"The Defects," a new ENA drama based on the Kakao Webtoon of the same name, which has already recorded over 51 million views, is an action thriller depicting the desperate survival and revenge of children who were abandoned by their adoptive parents and barely survived at the brink of death. The dark and gripping new Korean drama that tackles a modern-day illegal adoption ring started airing on Tuesday (July 21) on Tonton. Starring talented actors such as Yum Jung-ah, Won Jina, Choi Young Jun and Kim Jin Young (DEX), this series promises a storyline full of drama, conflict, and questions that challenge human instincts. The drama's premise, an illegal adoption cartel where adoptive parents can buy children and even request refunds if not satisfied, already sparked buzz for its provocative subject matter. For the record, more than 140,000 children had been sent overseas by Seoul following the devastating 1950-53 Korean War. The drama also comes in for fans when the South Korean government announced recently that the country is set to end the decades-old practice of outsourcing adoptions to private agencies, after a damaging investigation concluded the country's government-endorsed foreign adoption programme violated the fundamental human rights of adoptees. South Korea will now introduce a 'newly restructured public adoption system, under which the state and local governments take full responsibility for the entire adoption process', South Korea's Ministry of Health and Welfare said. As for "The Defects", the series is an action thriller drama that tells the story of a group of children who are illegally purchased by their adoptive parents, and then trapped in the dark world of human trafficking. Behind this world, there is Kim Se-Hee (played by Yum Jung-ah), a renowned doctor and high-profile hospital director who also heads an illegal adoption syndicate run by Jung Hyeon (played by Kim Jin Young). The organisation offers a "guaranteed return," a cruel system that can eliminate these children simply because they do not meet the expectations of their adoptive parents. Then comes Kim A-Hyeon (played by Won Jina), one of the survivors who managed to escape. Now, she rises to lead other children to reclaim their persecuted future and avenge the betrayal of the past that continues to haunt them. This brave story is lifted from a popular webtoon that once sparked a phenomenon, with the original work receiving international recognition through the "Best Creative Award" in the Webtoon category at the International Content Market SPP 2017, an achievement that proves the strength of the narrative and the message it carries. "The Defects" also marks Kim Jin Young, better known as DEX's return to acting, and this time in a suspenseful thriller full of dark secrets. The actor, who is also a former special forces soldier and reality show star, DEX continues to expand his artistic talents, and his appearance this time is certainly highly anticipated. In a recent interview in Seoul, DEX said: "I like to focus intensely when I work, and the appealing part about acting is being able to deeply explore and lead a character," he said. "I approached it with a sense of guilt, wondering if I would be a flaw [among the cast]. I pulled out everything I could to work on this project." "The Defect" is an eight-episode show and for more information on the show, fans can follow Tonton on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Instagram di @tontonmy.
New Straits Times
13 hours ago
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: G-Dragon appointed as APEC Summit ambassador
SEOUL: South Korean superstar G-Dragon has been officially appointed as an honorary ambassador for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit, which is set to take place in Gyeongju this October. G-Dragon, whose real name is Kwon Ji-yong, 36, shared the news on his social media, expressing immense pride in the achievement. "I was appointed as an ambassador to the APEC Summit 2025. It is an honour to be a part of APEC Korea. Thank you, Wicem," he posted. The prestigious appointment was also announced today by South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok on his official Facebook page. As the head of the summit's preparatory committee, he conveyed his enthusiasm for the music icon's involvement in promoting the international event. He described G-Dragon as a uniquely prominent South Korean artiste who has consistently demonstrated exceptional creativity and innovation throughout his career. This innovative spirit, he noted, aligns perfectly with APEC's goals. "With 100 days to go before this summit takes place, let us witness the synergy between G-Dragon and the APEC Summit," he wrote. The APEC Summit is an annual event that brings together leaders from 21 member economies in the Asia-Pacific region to discuss economic issues and foster regional cooperation. This year, the landmark event will be hosted by the historic city of Gyeongju on Oct 31. G-Dragon's appointment is viewed as a strategic move to leverage South Korea's global pop culture influence, aiming to boost public awareness and interest in the significance of the APEC Summit.
