Kpop Demon Hunters wins Oscars for best animated film and best original song

Kpop Demon Hunters, the Netflix blockbuster about supernatural K-pop stars, has won Oscars for Best Animated Feature Film and Best Original Song.

The film has captivated kids and adults around the world since its release last year and its self-empowerment theme song Golden has dominated global music charts.

The voices behind the film's girl group known as Huntr/x - Ejae, Rei Ami and Audrey Nuna - sang Golden to a sea of glowing light sticks, a staple of Kpop concerts.

"Growing up, people made fun of me for liking K-pop. But now everyone's singing our song and all the Korean lyrics, I'm so proud," a tearful Ejae said as she accepted the best song trophy.

The film's directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, as well as producer Michelle LM Wong accepted the award for Best Animated Feature Film.

Kang, a first-time Oscar nominee, said the win was "for Korea and for Koreans everywhere".

"And for those of you who look like me, I'm so sorry that it took us so long to see us in a movie like this. But it is here, and that means the next generations don't have to go longing," she said.

Kpop Demon Hunters is about a K-pop girl group using their voices to fight demons - including a boy band from the underworld whose members capture souls with their hypnotic croons.

The soundtrack has spawned several hits from the fictional Kpop stars, most notably Golden and Soda Pop by their foes, the boy band Saja Boys.

Ejae, Rei Ami and Audrey Nuna walked the red carpet in golden gowns, in a nod to their hit song.

The Oscar awards are the latest in a string of accolades for the film, including Golden Globes for best animated feature and best original song.

Last month, Golden became the first ever K-pop song to win a Grammy.

Netflix has announced a sequel to Kpop Demon Demon Hunters though no release date has been set yet.