Golden wins Grammy for best song, K-pop’s historic first

Golden just made history as the first ever K-pop song to win a Grammy Award. The hit from Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters took home Best Song Written for Visual Media on February 1. This landmark victory opens unprecedented doors for the global K-pop genre on music’s biggest stage.

How a K-Pop Song Conquered the Global Stage

Golden is not a typical K-pop release. Though performed by the fictional girl group HUNTR/X from Netflix’s animated musical film, it blends cutting-edge K-pop production with international appeal. The fictional group draws creative inspiration from global superstars like BLACKPINK, ITZY, and TWICE. The song’s infectious melody, production quality, and crossover power resonated with Grammy voters in ways that no K-pop track had accomplished before. What makes this moment even more significant is that the K-pop industry has been knocking on the Grammy door for over a decade without ever securing a major win.

The Songwriting Team Behind the Breakthrough

The Grammy trophy went to the seven songwriters rather than the performers. EJAE, the lead voice, is a remarkable story in her own right. She trained in the K-pop system for an entire decade but never debuted as an idol, eventually pivoting to songwriting and production. Now she becomes the first K-pop trainee to achieve Grammy recognition in this capacity. Teddy Park, known as Teddy, is a legendary K-pop producer who has shaped South Korean music for over 20 years. He has worked on massive hits for BIGBANG, 2NE1, and BLACKPINK. During the acceptance speech, producer Jeong Hoon Seo gave a special shoutout to Teddy as the Pioneer of K-Pop, cementing his legacy.

Breaking Through in Awards Season

Golden had already amassed an impressive roster of accolades before the Grammy victory. The track won Best Original Song at the 2026 Golden Globes, beating major international artists and establishing itself as a serious contender years before the Grammys. It also garnered nominations in multiple categories including Song of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. The song’s trajectory through awards season demonstrated that K-pop’s time had finally arrived. However, Golden faced stiff competition in the visual media category against Nine Inch Nails, Elton John collaborations, and other heavyweight nominees.

“In a long overdue win for the global genre, KPop Demon Hunters hit song Golden has managed to secure K-pop’s first Grammy win.”

— The Hollywood Reporter, Awards Coverage

What This Victory Means for K-pop and Global Music

This Grammy win shatters a barrier that seemed almost insurmountable. In a landscape where K-pop artists like BTS have earned multiple Grammy nominations and even performed at the ceremony, no Korean act had ever won a Grammy Award until now. The genre has dominated global charts, streaming platforms, and cultural conversations. Yet the recording academy had resisted honoring K-pop’s contributions. Golden’s victory signals a fundamental shift in how the music industry recognizes non-English language artistry. It validates decades of creative work from Korean producers, songwriters, and performers who have been shaping worldwide pop culture. The win opens doors for future K-pop entries to compete seriously in major Grammy categories and establishes K-pop as a legitimate force in the recording academy’s decision-making.

Will This Historic Win Lead to More K-pop Grammy Success?

The question now looming over music’s biggest night is whether Golden’s victory represents a turning point or a one-time phenomenon. With three additional Grammy nominations in major categories, the song could potentially sweep multiple awards. If Golden wins in additional categories like Song of the Year, it would cement K-pop’s place at the highest levels of the music industry. Industry observers predict this breakthrough will inspire more international K-pop collaborations and American label investments in the genre. Korean producers and songwriters may become even more sought-after commodities. However, the symbolic meaning is already locked in. K-pop can no longer be dismissed or overlooked by western gatekeepers. February 1, 2026 will be remembered as the day when K-pop finally achieved its ultimate validation at the Grammy Awards.

Sources

• Forbes – KPop Demon Hunters Golden Wins Best Song Written For Visual Media Grammy Coverage by Jeff Benjamin
• The Hollywood Reporter – KPop Demon Hunters Hit Golden Scores First K-pop Grammy Win
• Billboard – HUNTR/X’s Golden Marks First-Ever K-Pop Grammy Win

Jessica Morrison

Jessica Morrison is a seasoned entertainment writer with over a decade of experience covering television, film, and pop culture. After earning a degree in journalism from New York University, she worked as a freelance writer for various entertainment magazines before joining red94.net. Her expertise lies in analyzing television series, from groundbreaking dramas to light-hearted comedies, and she often provides in-depth reviews and industry insights. Outside of writing, Jessica is an avid film buff and enjoys discovering new indie movies at local festivals.