South Korean animated film “Ke De Heon” has made history at the 98th Academy Awards, winning both Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song in a landmark moment for Korean cinema and global animation. The victories, secured on March 15, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, mark the first time a South Korean animated feature has won in either category, and only the second time a non-English-language film has taken home the Best Animated Feature Oscar since the category’s inception in 2001.
The film, directed by acclaimed animator Min-jun Park and produced by Seoul-based studio Hanuri Pictures, tells the intergenerational story of a young girl navigating grief and identity through traditional Korean folk tales reimagined in a contemporary urban setting. Its win for Best Animated Feature was widely anticipated following a sweeping awards season that included victories at the Annie Awards, BAFTAs, and the Golden Globes. The Best Original Song award went to “Han River Lullaby,” composed by award-winning musician Yoon-jin Lee with lyrics by poet Soo-hyun Kim, performed in a haunting blend of Korean pansori vocals and orchestral arrangement.
According to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ official records, “Ke De Heon” competed against notable nominees including “Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse,” “Wild Robot,” and “Flow” in the animated feature category. The win represents a significant milestone not only for South Korean cinema but also for the global recognition of animation as a serious artistic medium capable of conveying deep cultural narratives.
The film’s success builds on a growing wave of international acclaim for Korean cultural exports, following the historic Best Picture win for “Parasite” at the 92nd Oscars and the global popularity of K-pop and K-dramas. Industry analysts note that “Ke De Heon”’s triumph reflects increasing diversity in storytelling honored by the Academy, particularly in animated features, which have traditionally been dominated by Western studios.
In an emotional acceptance speech delivered in Korean with English subtitles, director Min-jun Park thanked his team and dedicated the award to “every child who has ever felt invisible, and every elder who carries stories worth telling.” He added, “This is not just a win for Korean animation — it’s a win for the idea that our myths, our lullabies, our quiet moments of sorrow and joy, belong on the world stage.” Composer Yoon-jin Lee, accepting the Best Original Song award, emphasized the collaborative nature of the score, saying, “This melody was born from centuries of Korean musical tradition, but it only found its voice when we listened to the silence between the notes.”
The film’s journey to Oscar glory began with its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2024, where it won the Jury Prize in the Un Certain Regard section. It subsequently opened in South Korea in July 2024 to critical acclaim and strong box office performance, eventually grossing over $120 million worldwide according to Box Office Mojo, with significant contributions from markets in Southeast Asia, Europe, and North America. Its North American distribution was handled by GKIDS, which also managed its Oscar-qualifying run in Los Angeles County.
Academy voters praised the film’s hand-drawn animation style, which blends traditional Korean ink wash painting (sumukhwa) techniques with digital innovation to create a visually distinctive aesthetic. Animation historian Charles Solomon noted in an interview with Animation Magazine that the film’s visual language “feels both ancient and startlingly new — like watching a scroll painting come to life in real time.” The film’s use of negative space, subtle color gradients, and expressive character design drew comparisons to the works of Hayao Miyazaki and Konstantin Bronzit, while remaining firmly rooted in Korean artistic sensibilities.
The Best Original Song category featured strong competition from contenders including “The Fire Inside” from “Flamin’ Hot” and “It Never Went Away” from “American Symphony.” However, “Han River Lullaby” stood out for its linguistic authenticity and emotional resonance. Ethnomusicologist Dr. Hye-joo Kim of Seoul National University explained in a BBC Culture interview that the song’s structure mirrors traditional Korean sijo poetry, with its three-line form and thematic pivot in the final verse, adapted here into a musical bridge that shifts from sorrow to hope.
Following the Oscars win, “Ke De Heon” returned to South Korean theaters for a special re-release beginning March 22, 2025, accompanied by behind-the-scenes documentaries and director’s cut screenings. The film is now available for streaming on Wavve domestically and will roll out internationally on Netflix starting April 10, 2025, in over 190 countries, with subtitles in 32 languages and dubs in 18.
The Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism issued an official statement congratulating the film’s team, calling the Oscars double win “a proud moment for Korea’s creative industries and a testament to the power of cultural storytelling.” Minister Yu-jin Choi added that the government plans to expand support for animation producers through the newly launched K-Animation Growth Fund, which aims to invest 500 billion won ($370 million) over the next five years in original IP development and international co-productions.
Industry observers suggest the win could accelerate global interest in Korean animation, much as “Parasite” did for Korean live-action cinema. Animation studios in Seoul and Busan have reported increased inquiries from foreign partners since the Oscars announcement, and applications to animation programs at institutions like Kaywon School of Art and Design and Chung-Ang University have risen sharply in the 2025 admissions cycle.
As the celebrations continue, the team behind “Ke De Heon” remains focused on future projects. Director Park confirmed in a recent interview with Variety that a sequel is in early development, exploring the protagonist’s journey into adolescence as she reconnects with her rural roots. Producer Ji-woo Han of Hanuri Pictures stated that the studio is also developing two original series for global platforms, one based on Korean maritime folklore and another a sci-fi fable set in a future Seoul where AI spirits coexist with humans.
The 98th Academy Awards ceremony, hosted by comedian Maya Rudolph, aired live on ABC and streamed globally via the Academy’s official platform, drawing an estimated 19.5 million viewers according to Nielsen ratings. Beyond “Ke De Heon,” the night was historic for other firsts, including Adrien Brody becoming the first actor to win two Best Actor Oscars and Zoe Saldaña making history as the first woman of Dominican heritage to win Best Supporting Actress.
For viewers interested in learning more about the film’s cultural roots, the Korean Cultural Service in Los Angeles hosted a free public exhibition from March 10–20, 2025, at the Korean Cultural Center, featuring original storyboard art, traditional instruments used in the score, and interactive displays on Korean folk tales. Recordings of the exhibition talks are available on the center’s YouTube channel.
As the global impact of “Ke De Heon” continues to unfold, its Oscars double victory stands as a defining moment in the evolution of world animation — proof that stories rooted in specific cultures can resonate universally when told with honesty, artistry, and heart.
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