The song’s success extended beyond its early Grammy win, as Golden also secured a nomination for Song of the Year, underlining its broad appeal beyond the film that launched it. Released last June, KPop Demon Hunters went on to become Netflix’s most-watched movie of all time, amassing more than 480 million views. Its vibrant, hook-filled soundtrack mirrored that success, topping the Billboard charts and becoming the first film soundtrack to do so since Encanto sparked a global craze in 2022.
The recognition at the Grammys further reflects the growing cultural and commercial influence of K-pop, a point reinforced by the Recording Academy’s recent expansion of its voting body to include prominent K-pop artists and songwriters such as Woozi (Seventeen), Jungwon (Enhypen) and Huh Yunjin (Le Sserafim).
Other early winners at the ceremony highlighted the night’s diversity. British acts Yungblud, The Cure and FKA Twigs all claimed awards, while the Dalai Lama won Best Audiobook. In a notable first, eight-year-old Aura V became the youngest Grammy recipient ever, taking home Best Children’s Album.
Ahead of the main televised ceremony, Kendrick Lamar continued his dominant Grammy run by winning three awards, including Best Rap Song for TV Off. The Compton rapper had swept the previous year’s ceremony with five wins, including Song and Record of the Year for Not Like Us.
Despite strong expectations, Blackpink’s Rosé left the ceremony without a trophy. She had been nominated in three major categories for APT and opened the show with a high-energy performance alongside Bruno Mars, but ultimately missed out on the awards.
The majority of the Grammys were presented during the premiere ceremony at Los Angeles’ Peacock Theatre, where 86 of the night’s 95 awards were handed out. The first prize went to Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, who won Best Pop Duo or Group Performance for their Wicked duet Defying Gravity, though neither was present to accept the award.
Emotional moments punctuated the ceremony, including Yungblud’s win for Best Rock Performance for his live rendition of Changes, recorded at Ozzy Osbourne’s farewell concert in Birmingham. Osbourne’s wife, Sharon, was visibly moved as Yungblud paid tribute to the rock legend. The Cure also secured their first-ever Grammys, winning Best Alternative Album and Best Alternative Recording, though the band were absent as they attended the funeral of longtime collaborator Perry Bamonte.
Elsewhere, FKA Twigs won Best Dance/Electronic Album for Eusexua, using her speech to encourage perseverance among emerging artists. Kehlani, who won Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song for Folded, used her acceptance speeches to address political tensions in the United States and to honour her aunt, who raised her as a child.
Veteran singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell made an unexpected appearance after winning Best Historical Recording for the fourth volume of her Archives series, while the Southern horror film Sinners claimed Best Soundtrack and Best Score, continuing its award-season momentum.
With Golden’s groundbreaking victory and a night filled with firsts, tributes and political statements, the Grammys’ opening ceremony signalled a music industry increasingly shaped by global influences—none more evident than the rising prominence of K-pop on the world’s most prestigious musical stage.