HUNTR/X Becomes First K-Pop Act to Win Billboard Women of the Year

EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei AMI make history as the first K-pop act and first group to collectively share Billboard's Women of the Year honor, following their Grammy-winning "Golden" from KPop Demon Hunters.

Pak

March 13, 2026

#Netflix#KPop Demon Hunters#HUNTR/X#Golden#EJAE#Audrey Nuna#REI AMI#Billboard Women in Music#Women of the Year#Grammy Awards#Golden Globes#Oscars

The three singers behind HUNTR/X's viral phenomenon have officially rewritten music history. Billboard announced on March 11 that EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei AMI will receive the 2026 Women of the Year award at Billboard Women in Music, making them the first K-pop act ever to claim the title.

The honor also marks the first time the award has been shared collectively by a group. The trio will accept the prize at the Hollywood Palladium on April 29, joining fellow 2026 honorees Teyana Taylor, Tate McRae, Ella Langley, Kehlani, Laufey, Mariah the Scientist, Thalia, and Zara Larsson. Keke Palmer will host and perform at the ceremony, which will stream live on Billboard's YouTube channel.

From Soundtrack to Global Domination

The recognition caps a year that nobody, including the singers themselves, could have predicted. When Netflix dropped KPop Demon Hunters in June 2025, the Sony Pictures Animation film became an instant phenomenon, eventually claiming the title of the streamer's most-watched program of all time. But it was the soundtrack that proved equally massive.

EJAE performing at SBS Radio in 2025 — EJAE, who co-wrote "Golden" and voices Rumi in KPop Demon Hunters. Photo: EJAE Instagram

Their single "Golden" spent eight weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the first ever chart-topper by a female K-pop act on the main chart. The song held the top spot on the Billboard Global 200 for 18 weeks, tying for the longest run since the chart's 2020 debut. Across all platforms, the trio has amassed nearly 15 billion streams.

Awards Season Sweep

"Golden" has dominated the 2025-2026 awards circuit with a historic run. The song won the Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media, becoming the first K-pop track to take home a Grammy. It also claimed the Golden Globe for Best Original Song and is nominated for this Sunday's Academy Awards. The film itself swept all 10 Annie Award categories it was nominated in.

"We are incredibly proud to honor EJAE, AUDREY NUNA and REI AMI as Billboard's Women of the Year," said Leila Cobo, Billboard's co-chief content officer. "In a year marked by record-breaking achievements, major awards, and extraordinary global success, they have not only dominated the charts, but also redefined what it means to be powerful women in this industry and on the world stage."

Three Paths, One Voice

What makes this win remarkable is how different each artist's journey has been. EJAE spent 12 years as an SM Entertainment trainee before pivoting to songwriting, penning hits for Red Velvet and aespa before lending her voice to HUNTR/X leader Rumi. Audrey Nuna, the youngest of the three at 26, built a following through viral singles like "Damn Right" and "Comic Sans" featuring Jack Harlow before voicing the group's fearless Mira. Rei AMI, who voices rapper Zoey, broke through on TikTok via Sub Urban's "Freak" before carving her own path in alternative R&B.

They're now being honored alongside a legacy list that includes Doechii, Karol G, SZA, Olivia Rodrigo, Cardi B, Billie Eilish, Ariana Grande, and Taylor Swift. The company they're joining speaks to how completely KPop Demon Hunters has broken through from animated film soundtrack to genuine pop culture force.

What's Next

The Oscars delivered on March 15. "Golden" won Best Original Song at the 2026 Academy Awards, making it the first K-pop song to win an Oscar. KPop Demon Hunters also took Best Animated Feature, completing the most decorated awards sweep in K-pop history. Netflix has already confirmed a sequel with original directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans returning. Whether the real-life singers will contribute to the second film's soundtrack hasn't been announced, but given this year's results, there's little reason to change the formula.

The Billboard Women in Music 2026 ceremony takes place April 29 at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles. Tickets and tables are available through Billboard.

Fans Also Ask

Who are the HUNTR/X singers in real life?

HUNTR/X is voiced by three real singers: EJAE (Kim Eun-jae), who voices Rumi and co-wrote Golden; Audrey Nuna, who voices Mira; and Rei AMI, who voices Zoey. All three are Korean-American artists with established solo careers before joining the KPop Demon Hunters project.

When is Billboard Women in Music 2026?

The Billboard Women in Music 2026 ceremony takes place on April 29, 2026 at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles. Keke Palmer will host and perform. The event will stream live on Billboard's YouTube channel. Additional honorees alongside HUNTR/X include Teyana Taylor, Tate McRae, Ella Langley, Kehlani, Laufey, Mariah the Scientist, Thalia, and Zara Larsson.

What awards has Golden won?

Golden won the Grammy for Best Song Written for Visual Media, the Golden Globe for Best Original Song, and the Academy Award for Best Original Song on March 15, 2026. KPop Demon Hunters also won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature the same night. Golden is the first K-pop song to win all three awards in a single season.

How long was Golden number one?

Golden spent 8 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and 18 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Global 200. The Hot 100 run made it the first No. 1 by a female K-pop act on the main US chart and the longest running No. 1 by a female group this century.

What is KPop Demon Hunters about?

KPop Demon Hunters is a Sony Pictures Animation film released on Netflix in June 2025. It follows HUNTR/X, a fictional K-pop group who battle supernatural forces. The film became Netflix's most-watched title ever and spawned the Grammy-winning hit Golden, performed by EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei AMI.