The Netflix hit film "KPop Demon Hunters" (2025) won Best Animated Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards on Sunday.

The award became the first Oscar win and nomination for directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans and producer Michelle Wong, who all went on stage at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles to receive the award.

"For those of you who look like me, I am so sorry that it took us so long to see us in a movie like this," Kang said. "But it is here, and that means that the next generation [doesn't] have to go longing. This is for Korea and Koreans everywhere."

"Music and stories have this power to connect us as humans across cultures and borders," Appelhans said. "So, I just want to take a moment to say to all the young filmmakers, artists, musicians in all corners of the globe: Tell your story, sing in your voice. I promise you the world is waiting."

The film also won another Oscar in the Best Original Song category for the song "Golden" (2025).

"KPop Demon Hunters" follows a girl group named HUNTR/X who also work as demon hunters and fight against its rival boy band, the Saja Boys.

Update, March 16: Added quotes from award acceptance speech

BY SHIN MIN-HEE [shin.minhee@joongang.co.kr]