"KPop Demon Hunters" made history Sunday night after winning the Oscar for best animated feature at the 2026 Academy Awards.
The victory marked a milestone for South Korean creatives. Maggie Kang is the first director of South Korean descent to win in the best animated feature category.
In her speech, Kang reflected on the long wait for Korean representation in a film like this while celebrating the milestone for future generations.
"Thank you, thank you to the academy and to all the fans who got us here, and 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," she said. "But it is here. And that means that the next generations don't have to go longing. This is for Korea and for Koreans everywhere."
Meanwhile, her co-director Chris Appelhans encouraged young creators around the world to share their own stories, saying audiences are ready to hear them.
"Music and stories have this power to connect us as humans across cultures and borders, 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," he said. "I promise you the world is waiting."
The animated film, produced by Sony Pictures Animation and released by Netflix, became a cultural phenomenon after debuting as the streamer's most-watched original animated film.
The movie's impact has extended beyond the box office and streaming charts: Its Oscar-nominated song, "Golden," performed by the fictional girl group HUNTR/X -- voiced by EJAE, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami -- has also earned major recognition this awards season, taking home the Golden Globe and Critics Choice Award for best song and earning a Grammy for best song written for visual media.
Ahead of the Oscars, Netflix announced the film would receive a sequel, with co-directors Kang and Appelhans returning to helm the follow-up.
The sequel will mark the first project under the pair's exclusive multiyear writing and directing deal across animation.
ABC News' Andrea Dresdale contributed to this article.
