By Hong Angie
Video = Sony Pictures Animation's official YouTube channel

A K-pop-inspired song has won the genre's first Grammy, the most prestigious U.S. honor for pop music.

"Golden," the hit from the soundtrack to the animated blockbuster "KPop Demon Hunters," on Feb. 1 was named Best Song Written For Visual Media at the Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony in Los Angeles.

The songwriting honor went to EJAE, Teddy, 24, and IDIO, a trio comprising Lee Yu Han, Kwak Joong Gyu and Nam Hee Dong. Hwang Byung-jun and Korean American Youngin Kim had won Grammys as music engineers, but this was the first time for a composer and music producer specializing in K-pop to receive the award.

The historic event piqued the attention of major American media.

Immediately after the song was announced as the winner, The Associated Press said "Golden" won Best Song Written for Visual Media, the first time for a K-pop act to win a Grammy.

"Songwriters delivered their acceptance speech in both English and Korean, highlighting the song's bilingual appeal."

The New York Times added, "The breakout song from 'KPop Demon Hunters' won best song written for visual media on Sunday, ending a drought for the powerhouse global genre."

"'KPop Demon Hunters' was one of 2025's most powerful pieces of global culture and the most-watched film in Netflix's history. And now it has earned a record: K-pop's first ever Grammy Award."

Variety in its story headlined "'Golden' From 'KPop Demon Hunters' Becomes First K-Pop Grammy Winner Ever" said, "'It's our moment' for Huntr/x and Netflix's mega-hit 'KPop Demon Hunters.'"

"'Golden' is also nominated for an Academy Award for best original song, where it's considered a frontrunner."

"KPop Demon Hunters" was nominated for five Grammys including "Golden" for Song of the Year.

shong9412@korea.kr