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KPop Demon Hunters Makes History, Acceptance Speech Cut

3/18/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The acceptance speech by the songwriting team behind "Golden" from "KPop Demon Hunters" was cut at the 98th Academy Awards on March 15.
KPop Demon Hunters won Best Original Song for "Golden" and Best Animated Feature, marking a historic K-pop achievement at the Oscars.
Producer Rob Mills acknowledged backlash and proposed changes to speeches, suggesting a single speaker or extending remarks to digital platforms, while the team expressed gratitude.

History

Historical Context

The 98th Academy Awards on March 15, 2026, highlighted K-pop's rising influence, paralleling Lauryn Hill's historic 1999 Grammy wins. Amid ongoing diversity criticisms, the Academy's new casting award reflects evolving industry standards. The ceremony, which drew 17.86 million viewers, underscores a significant shift in entertainment, as global music trends increasingly shape mainstream media narratives.

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Story summary

The acceptance speech by the songwriting team behind "Golden" from "KPop Demon Hunters" was cut at the 98th Academy Awards on March 15.
KPop Demon Hunters won Best Original Song for "Golden" and Best Animated Feature, marking a historic K-pop achievement at the Oscars.
Producer Rob Mills acknowledged backlash and proposed changes to speeches, suggesting a single speaker or extending remarks to digital platforms, while the team expressed gratitude.

1 / 2