KPop Demon Hunters wins Oscar for best animated film
CNA
KPop Demon Hunters won the Academy Award for best animated feature film on Sunday (Mar 15), capping a culturally defining run that has placed the musical-action movie atop both box-office and music charts.
KPop Demon Hunters won the Academy Award for best animated feature film on Monday (Mar 16), Singapore time, capping a culturally defining run that has placed the musical-action movie atop both box-office and music charts.
Netflix's big blockbuster follows HUNTR/X, a Korean girl group that battles otherworldly demons, a rival boy band and their lead singer's own shame. Its choppy animation style, which combines 2D anime aesthetics with 3D CGI stylisations, underscores the high-octane action. The soundtrack, led by the Grammy-winning hit Golden, landed eight songs on the Billboard Hot 100. Alongside all the demon-slaying and choreography is a creative tale of self-acceptance that blends Korean mythology and K-pop idol culture.
The win further demonstrates the global influence of South Korean pop culture. The film's fantastical world, where the only force standing between evil spirits and humanity is one snack-loving vocal trio, inspired many children’s Halloween costumes in the United States. The HUNTR/X singers – Ejae, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami – gained hundreds of thousands of Instagram followers, performed at Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and appeared alongside Bad Bunny on the Saturday Night Live season premiere.
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The film's victory came as little surprise to those following awards season. The other nominees – Arco, Elio, Little Amelie Or The Character Of Rain and Zootopia 2 – had racked up a few prizes at the shows leading up to the Oscars. KPop Demon Hunters won big at many of the precursors, including the Producers Guild Awards and the Golden Globes.
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