KPop Demon Hunters’ Hunter/x vocalists EJAE, Audrey Nuna and Ray Ami wowed the BAFTA crowd with their performance of their mega-hit song “Golden.” This marked the hit’s first performance outside the United States, confirming the film’s global dominance, even though it was not eligible for a BAFTA Award.
Chase Infinity, who has professed to be a huge Hunter/ The performance began with EJAE’s solo singing performance on stage, and Nuna and Ami appeared from various parts of the venue, stirring up the audience as they made their way to the BAFTA stage.
Although the trio were invited to perform, BAFTA ruled that KPop Demon Hunters did not meet the film’s eligibility criteria, despite a formal appeal by Netflix, specifically citing the lack of a qualifying theatrical release. Netflix attempted to argue that the film’s subsequent theatrical release two months after its release on the streamer should count under BAFTA’s “exceptional circumstances” clause, which would allow distribution models such as event cinema release to be considered in some cases. However, BAFTA rejected this claim.
Still, the organizers were clearly happy to sprinkle a little Huntr/x stardust into the ceremony, much to the delight of those in attendance.
Despite not being eligible for BAFTA awards, the film is on track to sweep the Academy Awards, receiving nominations for Best Original Song and Best Animated Feature Film. It dominated the Annie Awards on Saturday, winning 10 gongs, including Best Picture.
