Netflix animated film K-pop Demon Hunters won two Academy Awards, drawing global attention. However, the acceptance speech was abruptly cut off, leaving regret and controversy. President Lee Jae-myung nevertheless did not spare praise for K-pop Demon Hunters' award, which elevated K-pop's stature.
At the Academy Awards held on the 16th at dawn (KST) at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, in the United States, "K-pop Demon Hunters" won both best animated feature and best original song. In particular, the OST "Golden" had been expected to win as it even performed on the ceremony's congratulatory stage, and it ultimately took home the trophy, beating competing works.
Composer Lee Jae, who took the stage, reddened his eyes and said, "I thank the Academy for giving me this great award. When I was young I was teased for liking K-pop, but now anyone sings this song," adding, "I feel this award is not about success but about resilience."
But after Lee Jae finished speaking and handed the microphone to his fellow composers, music signaling the exit played and the acceptance speech was cut off. The production team, including IDO, 24, Teddy and Mark, who shared the stage, were unable to deliver full remarks, leaving disappointment.
Foreign media also pointed out the situation. CNN reported, "A situation that angered K-pop fans occurred," noting, "Lee Jae, overcome with emotion, handed the microphone to a colleague, but exit music prompted and the speech was interrupted." It added that "if there had been enough time, it could have been a more meaningful moment." Billboard also reported that "a heartfelt acceptance speech was abruptly cut off during a colleague's remarks," and entertainment outlet Deadline said, "As soon as the microphone was grabbed it switched to advertising and the remarks were cut off, prompting sighs among reporters on site."
Despite the controversy, the achievements of the work itself are considered a meaningful record. "K-pop Demon Hunters" drew attention for its settings that combined K-pop worldbuilding with backgrounds imbued with Korean sentiment, such as bathhouses, traditional clinics and gukbap restaurants. Since its release in June last year, it surpassed 500 million cumulative global views, becoming the most-watched film in Netflix history, and the OST "Golden" proved its worldwide popularity by reaching No. 1 on Billboard's "Hot 100."
President Lee Jae-myung also sent congratulations via social media for these achievements. He said, "I join the public in giving a big round of applause for the meaningful achievement on a prestigious stage in the world film community," and assessed that "the energy of K-pop and Korean sensibility connected the hearts of people around the world."
He also expressed thanks to director Maggie Kang and the production and music teams, emphasizing, "They gave great pride to Korea and Koreans around the world." He added, "The 'country that becomes the high and new source of culture' that Kim Gu dreamed of is becoming a reality."
Although boos and regret followed at times, the achievement of winning two Academy Awards is seen as having once again stamped the stature of K-content on the world stage. Ultimately, the cultural power shown by "K-pop Demon Hunters" is, in the sense that it is bringing to life the dream Kim Gu spoke of—a 'country that moves the world through culture'—an even more meaningful moment.
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