HUNTR/X has officially made history after ‘Golden’ earned an Academy Award nomination for ‘Best Original Song’.

The nomination marks the first time a K-pop song has ever been recognized in the category, placing HUNTR/X on one of Hollywood’s most prestigious stages.

Performed by EJAE with Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami, the song serves as the film’s anthem. It made chart impact, leading the Billboard Hot 100 for eight weeks.

Globally, it also topped the Billboard Global 200, holding the number one spot for 20 weeks worldwide.

‘Golden’ will compete against ‘I Lied to You’ from ‘Sinners’, ‘Dear Me’ from ‘Diane Warren: Relentless’, ‘Sweet Dreams of Joy’ from ‘Viva Verdi!’, and ‘Train Dreams’ from ‘Train Dreams’.

The 98th Academy Awards take place March 15, 2026.

‘KPop Demon Hunters’ has officially been nominated for ‘Best Animated Feature’ at the 98th Academy Awards.

This recognition cements its status as a global phenomenon, proving that its vibrant visual style has captivated the Academy just as deeply as it did audiences worldwide.

Created and co-directed by Maggie Kang, the film recently won ‘Best Animated Feature’ at the Critics Choice Awards and Golden Globes.

The film also became Netflix’s most-watched original, highlighting its impact as a major achievement in contemporary animation.

The story follows Rumi, Mira, and Zoey, members of K-Pop girl group Huntr/x, as they harness the power of their voices to battle soul-eating demons.

The film blends action, adventure, and fantasy with visually striking animation that brings its supernatural world vividly to life.

‘KPop Demon Hunters’ will compete against ‘Arco,’ ‘Elio,’ ‘Little Amélie or the Character of Rain,’ and ‘Zootopia 2’ in the ‘Best Animated Feature’ category.

Fans can tune in to see if Huntr/x slays the competition when the 98th Academy Awards air on March 15, 2026.

Hwang Dong-hyuk, the mastermind behind the global hit ‘Squid Game,’ is returning with a new original series titled ‘The Dealer.’

This marks Hwang’s first project after the cultural phenomenon that made him a household name worldwide.

‘The Dealer’ is a high-stakes casino crime drama centered on Geonhwa, a skilled dealer whose wedding plans fall apart after a housing scam upends her life.

Portrayed by Jung So-min, Geonhwa must confront a dangerous underworld while using hidden abilities that give her an edge at the tables.

Ryoo Seung-bum joins as Hwang Chisu, a desperate gambler living hand to mouth who becomes entangled in Geonhwa’s perilous scheme.

Lee Soo-hyuk plays Jo Jun, a formidable casino player whose unreadable poker face makes him an unpredictable threat.

Ryu Kyung-soo rounds out the top-billed cast as Choi Wooseung, Geonhwa’s fiancé.

His gentle demeanor at home contrasts with a steely edge as a detective, adding layers to the story as Geonhwa navigates the perils of gambling and crime.

Produced by Hwang Dong-hyuk and Firstman Studio, the company behind ‘Squid Game’, the series is written by Ohnooy and Lee Tae-young.

The show is directed by acclaimed cinematographer Choi Young-hwan, known for his work on ‘Smugglers’, ‘Veteran’, and ‘The Thieves’.

Expectations are sky-high given Hwang’s track record. ‘Squid Game’ remains Netflix’s biggest series of all time, with its seasons dominating global charts.

While ‘The Dealer’ explores a new genre, the industry is watching closely to see if the creator can strike gold twice.