Can Netflix Make ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Into A Grammy Favorite?

It’s been less than a month since Netflix unveiled KPop Demon Hunters, an animated film that hops on the continually-growing wave of popularity K-pop has enjoyed for the past decade around the world. The film centers around two fictional K-pop groups, blending the melodies and dance moves that make the genre so massively popular with superhero tropes and the kind of action that’s become ubiquitous in today’s movies.

In just a few weeks, KPop Demon Hunters has become not only hugely successful on Netflix, but also on the Billboard charts. With any luck, the project may earn K-pop some much-needed visibility at the Grammy Awards in a few months. Both the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack album and the songs featured on its tracklist are eligible for consideration, but the cultural phenomenon may be too big to pass over.

KPop Demon Hunters Could Compete for Best Soundtrack

As always, competition will be fierce, and there are only a few spots in every vertical. It seems unlikely that KPop Demon Hunters or any of its tracks will end up in major categories like Album or Record of the Year. Even the pop and dance verticals may not be quite the right fit. But there are a few fields where the hugely popular full-length and its songs may be real contenders.

KPop Demon Hunters could compete in the Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media field. In fact, that seems like a perfect fit for what has turned out to be one of the most commercially successful soundtracks in recent memory. As of the time of writing, KPop Demon Hunters sits at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and remains inside the top 10 on several other Billboard tallies. Commercial success isn’t the only factor that matters when it comes to Grammy nominations, but visibility certainly helps.

Several Songs Are Contenders for One Category

Any number of the tracks created for the Netflix movie could be submitted for Best Song Written for Visual Media. The likely choice is “Golden,” which this week becomes the soundtrack’s first top 10 hit on the Hot 100, as it jumps from No. 23 to No. 6. The same tune also becomes the biggest song in the world this frame, lifting from the runner-up spot to No. 1 on the Billboard Global 200 and the Billboard Global Excl. U.S.

“Golden” is likely what Netflix will lead with when it comes time for the Golden Globes and Academy Awards, so it makes sense that it will be the choice for the Grammys as well.

The Grammys Have Yet to Recognize K-Pop

When it comes to K-pop earning nominations, the Grammys lag far behind the charts. BTS remains the only act from that part of the world to score chances to win. So far, the boy band has collected several nominations, but never won. KPop Demon Hunters earning some love would show that K-pop has a space at music’s biggest night, and that voters understand how to recognize greatness in what younger audiences are consuming.

Timing is Key

The timing of KPop Demon Hunters’ success couldn’t be better, as eligibility for the upcoming Grammys closes at the end of August. With a little more than a month to go, the album and its songs are climbing higher and higher, and people all across the country are hearing and seeing it for the first time.

As Recording Academy officials prepare to select the nominees, KPop Demon Hunters, along with the fictional groups and the vocalists behind the popular tunes, should be top of mind.