Netflix's K-Pop Demon Hunters Trio Gets BAFTA Stage Despite Film's Snub
The singers behind Netflix's K-Pop Demon Hunters will perform at Britain's biggest film awards show this month, even though the movie didn't qualify for any nominations.
EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami-the voices of fictional group HUNTR/X-will take the BAFTA stage February 22 to perform "Golden," their Grammy-winning megahit. It's an unusual move for the British Academy, which typically reserves performances for nominated films.
K-Pop Demon Hunters hit Netflix on June 20, 2025 without a theatrical release in the UK, which disqualified it from BAFTA consideration. But the film's massive success convinced organizers to make an exception.
"K-Pop Demon Hunters has had a phenomenal impact on audiences of all ages worldwide since its release," said Emma Baehr, BAFTA's executive director. The organization wanted to celebrate the film's cultural reach regardless of nomination rules.
Chart Domination and Grammy Gold
"Golden" spent seven consecutive weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 last summer, becoming the first female K-pop song to top the chart. The track racked up nearly 4 billion streams globally and was the most-streamed song of 2025.
The song made history again on February 1 when it won the Grammy for Best Song Written for Visual Media-the first K-pop track to claim a Grammy in any category. With Oscar and Golden Globe wins already under its belt, "Golden" is the clear frontrunner for Best Original Song at the March 15 Academy Awards.
Netflix views tell a similar story. K-Pop Demon Hunters surpassed 500 million viewing hours in December, making it the platform's most-watched film ever. The animated musical follows three K-pop stars who moonlight as demon hunters, protecting fans from supernatural threats.
First International Performance
The BAFTA appearance marks the trio's first live show outside the United States. EJAE called it "a golden moment that our younger selves could never have imagined."
For EJAE, the success carries extra weight. She trained for 10 years to become a K-pop idol but was rejected by Korean agencies. Her Golden Globes acceptance speech touched on that journey, making the song's success feel like vindication.
Directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans have already confirmed a 2029 sequel is in development. Multiple soundtrack songs hit the Billboard top 10, with "Your Idol" even surpassing BTS's "Dynamite" on Spotify charts at one point.
Oscar Race Heats Up
Only two of the five Best Original Song nominees will perform live at the Oscars due to time constraints. "Golden" made the cut alongside "I Lied to You" from Sinners, suggesting Academy members see it as the race's frontrunner.
The song faces competition from Diane Warren's "Dear Me" (her 17th nomination without a win), Nick Cave's "Train Dreams," and two other nominees. But with its Grammy win, streaming records, and cultural impact, "Golden" looks tough to beat.
The 79th BAFTA Film Awards air February 22 on BBC in the UK and E! in the United States, with Alan Cumming hosting from London's Royal Festival Hall.
