‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Wins At 2026 Critics’ Choice Awards

“We’re goin’ up, up, up, it’s our moment.” KPop Demon Hunters is kicking off the 2026 awards season with two major wins at the Critics’ Choice Awards, taking home Best Song for “Golden” and Best Animated Feature.

The ceremony, held on January 5, 2026 (PH Time), recognized the best achievements in filmmaking and television for 2025.

“Golden,” performed by Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami as the fictional K-pop girl group HUNTR/X, is one of the standout tracks from the film’s soundtrack. The song was composed by Ejae, Mark Sonnenblick, 24, Ido, and Teddy.

In the Best Song category, “Golden” triumphed over the other entries, including “Clothed by the Sun” from The Testament of Ann Lee, “Drive” from F1, “I Lied to You” from Sinners, “The Girl in the Bubble” from Wicked: For Good, and “Train Dreams” from Train Dreams.

Meanwhile, in the Best Animated Feature category, the film took down the competition, including Zootopia 2, Elio, Arco, In Your Dreams, and Little Amélie or the Character of Rain.

Released on Netflix on June 20, 2025, KPop Demon Hunters was produced by Sony Pictures Animation in partnership with the streaming giant. The animated fantasy film follows Rumi, Mira, and Zoey of HUNTR/X — K-pop stars who balance their lives as a chart-topping girl group while also protecting the world from demon threats.

The film had an enormous impact on the landscape of 2025, becoming Netflix’s most‑watched original animated film of all time. Similarly, its soundtrack, which features tracks such as “Golden,” “Soda Pop,” and “Takedown,” has topped global streaming charts, including the Billboard Philippines Hot 100.

The Critics’ Choice Awards, presented annually by the Critics Choice Association (CCA), recognize excellence in film and television. They were established in 1995, with the first awards show held in 1996, honoring films from 1995.

Ralph Regis

Lifestyle and Culture Writer

Ralph Regis is a Lifestyle and Culture Writer at Billboard Philippines, where he bridges the worlds of film, television, fashion, art, food, and cultural trends with both the local and international music scene.

He has written extensively about artist collaborations, brand partnerships, and pop culture moments that connect back to music. He also brings stories to life through in-depth interviews with musicians and personalities, drawing on their diverse perspectives, opinions, and reflections on the human condition.

In addition, Ralph also writes about music releases across a wide range of genres, including pop, hip-hop, P-pop, and rock, highlighting both rising and established artists. With a passion for storytelling that goes beyond trends, he explores how music is part of our daily lives in one form or another, connecting culture, experiences, and everything in between.

See more stories by Ralph Regis