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Oscars 2026 Celebrates K-Pop Hit 'Golden' and Musical Performances
Rei Ami, EJAE and Audrey Nuna's 'Golden' wins Best Original Song, marking the first K-pop winner at the Academy Awards.
Mar. 16, 2026 at 6:33am
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The 98th Annual Academy Awards featured a diverse array of musical performances, including the winning song 'Golden' by the K-pop group HUNTR/X, as well as a recreation of a scene from the film 'Sinners' featuring multiple guest artists. The ceremony also included surprise appearances by Josh Groban and Barbra Streisand.
Why it matters
The win for 'Golden' represents a historic milestone for K-pop music, showcasing its growing global popularity and recognition at the prestigious Oscars ceremony. The diverse musical performances highlighted the Academy's efforts to feature a wider range of genres and artists on the Oscars stage.
The details
Unlike past years, the 2026 Oscars only featured two Best Original Song nominees - 'I Lied to You' from 'Sinners' and 'Golden' from 'KPop Demon Hunters'. HUNTR/X members EJAE, Rei Ami and Audrey Nuna performed 'Golden' in coordinating white outfits, backed by a troupe of dancers waving golden flags. The performance of 'I Lied to You' recreated a scene from the film, incorporating multiple guest musicians and artists. Other surprise performances included Josh Groban singing during host Conan O'Brien's opening monologue, and Barbra Streisand performing a snippet of 'The Way We Were' while eulogizing her late co-star Robert Redford.
- The 98th Annual Academy Awards ceremony took place on Sunday, March 15, 2026.
- HUNTR/X's song 'Golden' won the Oscar for Best Original Song at the 2026 ceremony.
The players
HUNTR/X
A K-pop group consisting of members EJAE, Rei Ami and Audrey Nuna, who performed the Oscar-winning song 'Golden'.
EJAE
A member of the K-pop group HUNTR/X and co-writer of the Oscar-winning song 'Golden'.
Lionel Richie
A past Oscar winner who presented the award for Best Original Song at the 2026 ceremony.
Conan O'Brien
The host of the 98th Annual Academy Awards ceremony.
Barbra Streisand
A legendary singer and actress who performed a snippet of 'The Way We Were' during the Oscars ceremony.
The takeaway
The Oscars 2026 ceremony marked a historic moment for K-pop music, with HUNTR/X's 'Golden' becoming the first K-pop song to win the Academy Award for Best Original Song. This achievement highlights the growing global influence and recognition of the genre, and the Oscars' efforts to showcase a more diverse range of musical talent on its prestigious stage.
