▲ (From left) Maggie Kang, Chris Appelhans and Michelle L.M. Wong pose after winning Best Animated Feature Film for "KPop Demon Hunters" during the 98th Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, in this AFP photo. (Yonhap)
▲ Korean American singer-songwriter Ejae (C) reacts after winning the Oscar for Best Original Song for "Golden" from "KPop Demon Hunters" during the 98th annual Academy Awards ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, in this EPA photo. (Yonhap)
▲ A still from "KPop Demon Hunters" is seen in this image provided by Netflix. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
▲ A scene from "KPop Demon Hunters" is seen in this image provided by Netflix. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

(2nd LD) animated film-Oscar

(2nd LD) 'KPop Demon Hunters' wins Oscars for best animated feature, original song

(ATTN: UPDATES throughout with film's winning original song award; ADDS photos)

SEOUL, March 16 (Yonhap) -- Netflix's "KPop Demon Hunters" capped its awards run Sunday (U.S. time) by taking Oscars for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song.

The sensational hit clinched a victory in Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song with "Golden" from its original soundtrack during the 98th Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles.

The dual Oscar wins follow earlier successes at the Golden Globes and the Critics Choice Awards in January, where the animated film swept the same categories. Last month, "Golden" also made history at the Grammy Awards as the first work in the K-pop genre to win Best Song Written for Visual Media.

As the movie's theme song "Golden" played, co-director Maggie Kang took the stage to accept the Best Animated Feature award in a red dress, alongside co-director Chris Appelhans and producer Michelle L.M. Wong, her voice breaking with emotion.

"For those of you who look like me, I'm so sorry that it took us so long to see us in a movie like this," said Kang, a Korean Canadian filmmaker. "But it is here, and that means that the next generation don't have to go longing. This is for Korea and for Koreans everywhere."

Later in the ceremony, "Golden" was named Best Original Song, marking the first time a K-pop genre track has won the category.

Korean American singer Ejae, who performed and co-wrote the track, delivered an emotional acceptance speech, saying, "Growing up, you know, people made fun of me liking K-pop. But now, everyone's singing our song, and all the creative lyrics, I'm so proud." She added, "I realize the song is not about success -- It's about resilience, and I'm just so grateful to our team."

Ejae was joined on stage by the song's co-lyricist Mark Sonnenblick and The Black Label composers Kwak Joong-gyu, Lee Yu-han, Nam Hee-dong and Seo Jeong-hoon.

"KPop Demon Hunters" centers on Huntr/x, who live a double life, balancing their music careers with their duties as warriors who protect the world from demonic spirits, like the overlord Gwi-Ma and the soul-stealing Saja Boys.

Released on June 20 last year, the Sony Pictures Animation film became an instant hit and Netflix's most-watched movie of all time.

Last week, the streaming giant officially confirmed that a sequel is in the works, though no release date has been set.

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