The song 'Golden' from the soundtrack of Netflix's animated hit 'KPop Demon Hunters' has won Best Song Written for Visual Media at the 68th Grammy Awards, marking the first such victory for the K-pop genre. Written by Ejae, Teddy, 24, and Ido, the track was performed by Korean American artists Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami as the in-film girl group Huntr/x. The award was presented during the premiere ceremony at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on February 1, 2026.
The 68th Grammy Awards marked a milestone for K-pop as 'Golden' from the soundtrack of Netflix's animated sensation 'KPop Demon Hunters' claimed the Best Song Written for Visual Media award. This victory represents the first time K-pop producers or songwriters have won in this category, distinct from previous Grammy wins by South Korean recording engineer Hwang Byeong-joon and Korean American artist Yungin. The award was revealed during the premiere ceremony at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on February 1, 2026 (U.S. time).
Songwriters Ejae, Teddy, 24, and Ido were officially recognized as winners. Producer-composer 24 dedicated the honor to Teddy, who was absent from the event, crediting him for the 'creative process' and calling him 'my greatest mentor and closest friend, the pioneer of K-pop.'
Performed by Korean American artists Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami as the in-film girl group Huntr/x, 'Golden' achieved massive global success, topping both the Billboard Hot 100 and the British Official Singles Chart Top 100. Produced by Sony Pictures Animation, 'KPop Demon Hunters' follows the trio's double life: balancing their music careers with their roles as warriors protecting the world from demonic spirits, including the overlord Gwi-Ma and the soul-stealing Saja Boys.
In a related category, Best Pop Duo/Group Performance went to Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande for 'Defying Gravity' from the 'Wicked' soundtrack, edging out nominees including BLACKPINK's Rose with 'APT.' and Katseye with 'Gabriela.' This win underscores the growing international influence of K-pop.