South Koreans are buzzing with excitement after the song “Golden” won K-pop’s first Grammy Award. This landmark moment highlights the growing global appeal of K-pop and marks a new chapter in its acceptance within the U.S. music scene.
“Golden,” linked to the Netflix film “KPop Demon Hunters,” shows K-pop’s potential to make a lasting impact in America. Music critic Lim Hee-yun believes this award could pave the way for more K-pop successes at future ceremonies. K-pop has often been overlooked at prestigious events like the Grammys, despite its massive fanbase around the world.
During the ceremony, Rosé from Blackpink performed alongside Grammy favorite Bruno Mars. Their song “APT.” was also nominated for song of the year. Meanwhile, the new girl group Katseye, a collaboration between South Korea’s HYBE and Geffen Records, received nominations for their song “Gabriela,” including best new artist.
In recent years, K-pop has surged in popularity among young audiences. Traditional American studios, looking to attract these new fans, are keenly aware of K-pop’s viral presence on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. This interest has led to collaborations and projects that blend American and Korean entertainment.
There’s some debate over whether “Golden” truly fits the K-pop label since it’s an English-language song from a Hollywood production. However, the song’s Grammy win sparked joy across South Korea. The film inspired themed ramen and boosted tourism in areas shown in the movie, presenting a double win for Korean culture.
“I can’t believe it,” said Kim Na-young, 50. She has seen the movie multiple times and feels its strong ties to Korean culture, even if it’s produced by Sony and Netflix.
“KPop Demon Hunters” follows HUNTR/X, a fictional girl group using music to combat demons. The film turned out to be Netflix’s most popular release, with songs like “Golden” rising on music charts. The characters have even inspired Halloween costumes in the U.S., helping the young singers gain popularity.
After accepting the Grammy, the songwriters expressed their gratitude in both English and Korean, showcasing the song’s universal appeal. Ejae, one of the co-writers, called it a historic moment, celebrating both her Korean and American roots.
Many see this Grammy win as a reflection of K-pop’s rise. It parallels the global recognition South Korea gained with Bong Joon Ho’s “Parasite,” which won an Oscar in 2020. Park Jeong-eon remembers times when South Korea was barely known outside its borders. “This win shows we’ve stepped into the global spotlight,” she stated.
Seo Ga-yeon, a K-pop studies expert, believes the emotional depth of Ejae’s performance made “Golden” resonate widely. “She poured her heart into it, and you could feel her journey through the song,” Seo explained.
The success of “Golden” is a clear sign of K-pop’s breaking barriers. South Korea’s Democratic Party labeled it a significant event for the genre. Despite some criticism over the song’s classification, it demonstrates K-pop’s growing international appeal.
Critics like Jinmo Lim express that while the Grammy win is momentous, it’s more about K-pop’s rising fame than a direct victory for the genre itself. The sound of “Golden” leans toward mainstream pop, differing from typical K-pop tracks. Unlike the usual vibrant group ensembles, “Golden” focuses on a single vocalist.
With their unique styles and passionate fan engagement, K-pop groups are increasingly hard to categorize. Lim Hee-yun believes that “KPop Demon Hunters” has opened the door wider for K-pop, inspiring interest in traveling to South Korea.
As K-pop continues to evolve, it’s clear that the future holds even more exciting moments for the genre.
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Entertainment, K-pop, Music, Grammy Awards, World news, General news, Article, 129775454
