'KPop Demon Hunters' OST Nominated for 2025 KWDA
Music from the Netflix animation KPop Demon Hunters has been nominated for the Best OST category at the upcoming 2025 K World Dream Awards (KWDA).
On July 22, the KWDA Organizing Committee announced that HUNTRIX’s “Golden” and SAZABOYZ’s “Soda Pop,” two OST tracks from KPop Demon Hunters (referred to as KDH), are official nominees for the K World Dream Best OST award. Both songs, performed by the fictional girl group HUNTRIX and boy group SAZABOYZ within the animated universe, have sparked a sensation not only on major Korean music charts but also on the main U.S. Billboard charts.
“Golden” recently ranked No. 4 on Billboard’s Hot 100, surpassing Disney’s Frozen hit “Let It Go,” which previously held a peak position of No. 5. Additionally, the OST album featuring “Golden” and “Soda Pop” reached No. 5 on the Billboard 200, showcasing its global appeal.
The rivalry between HUNTRIX and SAZABOYZ, who previously competed for top honors at the in-universe World Idol Awards in KDH, has now extended to the real-world awards stage, heightening fan anticipation for who will take the trophy home.
Other nominees in the Best OST category include TXT’s “The Day Will Come,” from the hit tvN drama Someday Wise Resident Life, and EXO’s D.O. (Do Kyungsoo) with his song “Forever.” Both songs have dominated the OST sections of Korean music charts.
In particular, “The Day Will Come” stood out for its backstory — in the drama, the song was a hit track by fictional idol group HI-BOYZ, once led by character Eom Jae-il (played by Kang You-seok). After the show ended, TXT’s Soobin and Yeonjun even appeared alongside Kang You-seok in a special stage on Mnet’s M Countdown, which continues to garner strong attention.
The 2025 K World Dream Awards will take place on August 21 at Jamsil Indoor Stadium in Seoul’s Songpa District. The lineup includes BTOB, Stray Kids, TXT, CRAVITY, IVE, LE SSERAFIM, tripleS, Young Posse, FIFTY FIFTY, NCT WISH, ILLIT, Kickflip, Hearts2Hearts, KiKi, NewBeat, and AHOB, as well as bands LUCY, Xdinary Heroes, QWER, and Dragon Pony. Singers Park Seo-jin and Park Ji-hyun are also set to perform.
The event is organized by the KWDA committee and hosted by YJ Partners, one of the largest Hallyu agencies. Further information about the ceremony will be released via the official website.
Written by Kim Mi Hwa
Translated by Lee So Yun
