'KPop Demon Hunters' Wins Best Animated Feature at the 98th Academy Awards; Maggie Kang: "This Is for Koreans Around the World"

Netflix film "KPop Demon Hunters" won Best Animated Feature at the Academy Awards.

The film took home the honor at the 98th Academy Awards, held March 15 (local time) at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. It beat out a major contender, Disney’s "Zootopia 2."

Director Maggie Kang, a Korean Canadian, said on stage, "This award is for Korea and Koreans around the world. To people who look like me (East Asians), I’m sorry it took so long to see people like us on screen. But the next generation won’t have to wait."

Co-director Chris Appelhans added, "Music and storytelling have the power to connect us across cultures and borders. To young filmmakers, artists, and musicians: Tell your story. Sing in your own voice. The world is waiting."

"KPop Demon Hunters" is an animated film about HUNTR/X, a girl group of demon hunters, who take on Saja Boys, an evil-spirit boy group that targets people’s souls. Since its Netflix release last June, it has surpassed 500 million global views, becoming the most-watched Netflix film title to date.

The film is also nominated for Best Original Song with "Golden," aiming for a double win this year.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)