Netflix's animated sensation, KPop Demon Hunters, may be absent from the BAFTA nominations list, but its music is still set to shine on one of cinema's biggest stages. EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami, the powerhouse vocalists behind the film's breakout hit "Golden," have been confirmed as performers at the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards. Their inclusion has sparked curiosity, especially since the film itself was ruled ineligible for awards consideration.
The reason KPop Demon Hunters is ineligible for a BAFTA nomination is due to the British Academy's theatrical release requirement. Despite this, the global impact of "Golden" and its role in pushing K-pop further into mainstream Western award spaces is undeniable. The song won Best Song for Visual Media at the 2026 Grammys. The soundtrack also established a new record in Australia last year, holding the No. 1 spot on the national albums chart for six non-consecutive weeks. According to ARIA, this was the biggest chart-topper from an animated movie since the official charts launched in 1983. "Golden" was also the number one most-streamed song globally in 2026 according to Nielsen/Luminate.
"Performing at the EE BAFTA Film Awards is a golden moment that our younger selves could never have imagined," said EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami. "We're so proud to represent Netflix's KPop Demon Hunters and spread the film's positive message to fans around the globe". The upcoming BAFTA Film Awards ceremony will mark the trio's first-ever live performance outside of the United States.
Emma Baehr, BAFTA's executive director of awards and content, stated, "KPop Demon Hunters has had a phenomenal impact on the hearts and minds of audiences of all ages around the world since its release last summer, and so we are thrilled the talented singers behind HUNTR/X will bring their K-pop energy to the EE BAFTA Film Awards next month". She added, "Not only are we here to celebrate exceptional films and the people who make them, we also want to create an unmissable night of entertainment".
KPop Demon Hunters follows the fictional superstar Korean girl group HUNTR/X — Rumi, Zoey, and Mira — as they secretly use their upbeat music to keep humans safe from evil demons. The film, directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans and produced by Sony Pictures Animation, has garnered significant awards from both the music and film industries, including two Golden Globes. It is also nominated for Best Animated Feature Film and Best Original Song at the Oscars.
The film has become Netflix's most popular film ever, with over 500 million streams. Mark Sonnenblick, the songwriter behind "Golden," told Rolling Stone that the overwhelming response is "a testament to the hundreds of people who worked on this film".
The 2026 BAFTA Film Awards will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Sunday, February 22. The ceremony will take place at the Royal Festival Hall at London's Southbank Centre, hosted by Alan Cumming.