KPop Demon Hunters' 'Golden' & Girl Groups Shine Bright at 2026 Grammys

Get ready for the 2026 Grammy Awards, because Netflix's animated blockbuster Kpop Demon Hunters and other powerhouse girl groups are not just showing up – they're making history with groundbreaking nominations!

TL;DR: Quick Takes on the Grammy Buzz

• The viral hit "Golden" from KPop Demon Hunters snagged a coveted Song of the Year nomination, marking a rare achievement for both a girl group and K-pop.
• Girl groups Huntr/x and Katseye are making history as the first female groups ever nominated for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance since the category's creation in 2012.
• These multiple, high-profile nods for K-pop acts signal a potential shift, cracking the "Grammy fortress" that has historically overlooked the genre.

A "Golden" Moment for Netflix's KPop Demon Hunters

Imagine a song from an animated kids' movie not only topping charts worldwide but also making a serious play for one of music's most prestigious awards. That's exactly what's happening with "Golden" from Netflix's runaway hit, KPop Demon Hunters.

This infectious track, performed by the fictional group Huntr/x (voiced by EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami), has earned a stunning four Grammy nominations for 2026. Most notably, "Golden" is up for Song of the Year, a category typically dominated by mainstream pop and indie darlings. Its inclusion there is a huge deal, especially considering the film's origins.

"I’m not able to digest this time. I’m still in shock."

— EJAE, speaking to Variety on the Grammy nominations (Source: Variety, "'Golden' From 'KPop Demon Hunters' Lands Grammy Nomination for Song of the Year," Nov 7, 2025)

Breaking Barriers: Girl Groups Make History

The 2026 Grammys are shaping up to be a historic year for girl groups across the board. "Golden" isn't just a win for animated films; it marks the first time a girl group's song has been nominated for Song of the Year in nearly two decades. The last time this happened was in 2007 when The Chicks won for "Not Ready to Make Nice." Before that, you'd have to go back to TLC in 2000 and Destiny's Child in 2001, neither of whom took home the prize.

But the history-making doesn't stop there. Both Huntr/x's "Golden" and Katseye's "Gabriela" are nominated for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. This is a monumental achievement, as it's the very first time a girl group has been recognized in this category since it was established in 2012. Katseye also secured a nomination for Best New Artist, carrying on the legacy of groups like Wet Leg and Chloe x Halle.

The K-Pop "Fortress" Begins to Crumble

For years, the Grammy Awards have been described as an "impenetrable fortress" for K-pop artists, frequently criticized for overlooking the genre despite its massive global popularity. While groups like BTS earned multiple nominations for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, a win in a major "General Field" category remained elusive.

This year, however, things are different. "Golden" is the first K-pop track ever to be nominated for Song of the Year. Adding to this breakthrough, Rosé, a member of the iconic K-pop girl group Blackpink, became the first K-pop artist nominated in a General Field category, with her collaboration "APT." with Bruno Mars earning a nod for Record of the Year and Song of the Year. This is a significant moment, showing that the Recording Academy might finally be opening its doors wider to Korean artists.

As Audrey Nuna, one of Huntr/x's vocalists, eloquently put it, "You’re going to see three Korean faces. To think about the kids who are going to see that, and hopefully for that to shape their understanding of what they can do in this world, is the stuff that is giving me chills up my spine." (Source: Variety, "'Golden' From 'KPop Demon Hunters' Lands Grammy Nomination for Song of the Year," Nov 7, 2025)

What Makes KPop Demon Hunters So Golden?

The animated film itself has been an absolute juggernaut. Since its June debut, KPop Demon Hunters has become Netflix's most popular movie of all time, racking up over 325 million views. Its impact isn't just on streaming either; Netflix, usually known for its "stay-at-home" model, even brought a sing-along version of the film to theaters. These limited runs saw it top the box office, pulling in roughly $18 million in just two days during its first theatrical stint and an additional $5-6 million around Halloween. (Source: Variety, "'Golden' From 'KPop Demon Hunters' Lands Grammy Nomination for Song of the Year," Nov 7, 2025)

The film's soundtrack has been equally dominant, with "Golden" spending a staggering 14 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Global 200 chart. Other songs like "Your Idol" and "Soda Pop" also found spots on the Billboard Hot 100. It's clear that this isn't just a fleeting trend; the music has resonated deeply with audiences of all ages.

A Glimpse into the Competition and Challenges Ahead

While the nominations are a massive win, the road to a Grammy trophy is always challenging. In the Song of the Year category, "Golden" is up against heavyweights like Lady Gaga's "Abracadabra," Doechii's "Anxiety," and Kendrick Lamar and SZA's "Luther." For Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, it faces Rosé and Bruno Mars' "APT." and Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande's "Defying Gravity."

Beyond Huntr/x and Katseye, other talented women in music are also getting well-deserved recognition. British R&B trio FLO earned a nod for Best Progressive R&B Album for their impressive Access All Areas, following in the footsteps of Chloe x Halle.

Mini-Story: The Unavoidable Soundtrack

Sarah, a mom of two, found herself singing "Golden" in the shower one morning, much to her own surprise. Her kids, Lily (8) and Tom (6), had been utterly obsessed with KPop Demon Hunters since it hit Netflix. "It's literally on repeat," she once joked to her husband. "I hear 'Golden' in my sleep!" Now, seeing the song nominated for a Grammy, she felt a strange mix of vindication and amusement. "They're gonna be insufferable if it wins," she thought, a smile playing on her lips. "But honestly, it's a total bop. Maybe the Grammys are finally catching on to what the kids (and apparently, I) already know!"

Addressing the Nuances of K-Pop's Grammy Journey

Some observers rightly point out that while these nominations are huge, the K-pop tracks making waves — "Golden" and "APT." — are English-language pop songs with a strong alignment to the American market. This suggests that while the "fortress" is cracking, it might not yet be fully open to K-pop in its original, Korean-language form. However, even with this caveat, the visibility and recognition in major categories are undeniable steps forward, paving the way for future artists.

Another point of discussion is the omission of "Golden" from the Record of the Year category, despite its Song of the Year nod. Many in the industry believed its electric production and sky-high vocals made it a perfect fit for the category honoring the overall recording. (Source: Billboard, "Why 'Golden' From 'KPop Demon Hunters' Got a Song of the Year Grammy Nom, But Not Record of the Year," Nov 7, 2025). This highlights the complex and sometimes surprising decisions made by the Recording Academy's voting body.

Practical Takeaways for Music Fans and Industry Watchers

• Pay attention to the full soundtrack: The success of KPop Demon Hunters shows that animated film music can transcend traditional categories and become major cultural touchstones.
• The K-pop wave is undeniable: Even if full parity isn't here yet, these nominations prove K-pop's growing influence on global music award bodies. Expect more K-pop representation in the future.
• Girl groups are having a moment: From Huntr/x and Katseye breaking performance category barriers to FLO's R&B recognition, female groups are demanding and receiving overdue industry attention.
• Expect surprises: The Grammys continue to evolve, with unexpected nominations like "Golden" demonstrating a willingness to acknowledge popular and critically acclaimed work from diverse origins.

The 68th Annual Grammy Awards will be held on February 1, 2026, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. It’s shaping up to be a ceremony where new history is written, and we can't wait to see who takes home those golden gramophones!

FAQ: Your Burning Questions About the 2026 Grammys

When are the 2026 Grammy Awards? The 68th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony is scheduled for February 1, 2026. Where will the Grammy Awards take place? The ceremony will be held at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Is KPop Demon Hunters available for streaming? Yes, KPop Demon Hunters is currently streaming on Netflix. Who are the main voices behind Huntr/x in KPop Demon Hunters? The singing voices for Huntr/x are EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami. The animated characters Rumi, Mira, and Zoey are voiced by Arden Cho, May Hong, and Ji-young Yoo, respectively.

Sources

• Rolling Stone, "Girl Groups Make GRAMMY History With Record Number of Nominations," Nov 7, 2025.
• Variety, "'Golden' From 'KPop Demon Hunters' Lands Grammy Nomination for Song of the Year," Nov 7, 2025.
• The Hollywood Reporter, "KPop Demon Hunters’ Huntrix Earns Grammy Nominations, Singers React," Nov 7, 2025.
• Yahoo, "Kpop Demon Hunters song ‘Golden’ lands Grammy nomination for Song of the Year," Nov 7, 2025.
• Hankookilbo, "Will K-pop break ‘Grammy fortress’ at last? Record nominations fuels hopes," Nov 12, 2025.
• Collider, "'KPop Demon Hunters' Singers on Possible Oscar Performance and Sequel Updates," Nov 7, 2025.
• Billboard, "Why 'Golden' From 'KPop Demon Hunters' Got a Song of the Year Grammy Nom, But Not Record of the Year," Nov 7, 2025.
• The Age, "Australian K-pop star Rosé nominated for record of the year Grammy," Nov 8, 2025.