‘Golden’ Completes Major Awards Sweep at 2026 World Soundtrack Awards

The global dominance of “Golden,” the breakout hit from the animated film KPop Demon Hunters, reached its final peak on October 10, 2026, as it was named Best Original Song at the 26th World Soundtrack Awards. The victory, announced at Muziekcentrum De Bijloke in Ghent, Belgium, completes a rare “sweep” of the industry’s most prestigious awards for the track.

Performed by the fictional group HUNTR/X, the song features the real-world voices of EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami. The win at the World Soundtrack Awards follows a record-breaking season where “Golden” also secured an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, and a Grammy for Best Song Written for Visual Media. This trajectory mirrored the success of the film itself.

Produced by Teddy Park and Mark Sonnenblick, 'Golden' bridged K-pop and cinematic styles.

The songwriting team for “Golden,” led by producers Teddy Park and Mark Sonnenblick alongside Kim Eun-jae, Joong Gyu Kwak, Yu Han Lee, Hee Dong Nam, and Jeong Hoon Seo, was recognized for a composition that bridged the gap between K-pop production and cinematic storytelling. The World Soundtrack Academy’s recognition serves as the final major accolade for the song in the 2026 cycle.

Top Honors for Daniel Pemberton and Jeff Russo

Beyond the success of HUNTR/X, the ceremony celebrated several of the industry’s most prolific composers. British composer Daniel Pemberton was named Film Composer of the Year. The award recognized his extensive 2026 slate, which included high-profile scores for Project Hail Mary, The Drama, The Bad Guys 2, and Masters of the Universe.

In the television categories, Jeff Russo took home the Television Composer of the Year title. His winning portfolio included the scores for Alien: Earth, the Cape Fear reboot, and the second season of Citadel. The 26th World Soundtrack Awards also recognized Hannah Peel as Discovery of the Year for her work on Midwinter Break.

The 26th also celebrated veteran composers and emerging talents.

The evening included a tribute to Trevor Jones, the veteran composer known for his work on The Last of the Mohicans and The Dark Crystal, who was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award. The event was held as part of Film Fest Gent, continuing the tradition of honoring both legendary figures and the contemporary hits that define the current musical landscape of cinema.

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