They are no longer just virtual. Netflix Inc.’s animated film KPop Demon Hunters is taking on real-life stars on K-pop’s biggest music award show. Two songs from the musical fantasy have been nominated in the best OST category by the 2025 K-World Dream Awards.
Golden and Soda Pop, performed by the fictional girl group Huntrix and their rival boy band Saja Boys, respectively, have made their way onto the list of nominees for the show slated for Aug. 21, the awards committee said on Tuesday.
Both tracks pit the virtual K-pop acts against some of the industry’s biggest real-life stars.
The two songs have already become global sensations, climbing high on major charts, including those from Billboard.
Golden debuted at No. 4 on Billboard’s Hot 100, surpassing Disney’s Frozen OST track Let it go, which peaked at No. 5 on the chart.
The film’s full soundtrack, featuring both Golden and Soda Pop, soared to No. 5 on the Billboard 200.
FROM VIRTUAL WORLD TO REAL STAGE
The virtual groups are also going head-to-head on K-pop’s biggest music stages. Their battle for top honors at the fictional World Idol Awards in the anime is now playing out in real life.
The 2025 K-World Dream Awards will take place at Jamsil Arena in Seoul, showcasing live performance of both established and rising K-pop stars, including Stray Kids, Le Sserafim, IVE, TXT, Cravity, Newbeat, NCT Wish and Hearts2Hearts.
Joining Golden and Soda Pop in the Best OST race are When the day comes by TOMORROW X TOGETHER, the OST from this year’s hit medical drama Resident Playbook.
The awards ceremony will be broadcast live on Japan’s TBS network, while other fans around the world, outside of Japan, can tune in via streaming title HelloLive real time.
By Yeonhee Kim
yhkim@hankyung.com
Jennifer Nicholson-Breen edited this article.
