SEOUL, December 17 (AJP) -South Korea has secured two high-profile spots on the Academy Awards shortlists, with “No Other Choice” advancing in the International Feature Film category and “Golden,” from animated feature K-Pop Demon Hunters, shortlisted for Best Original Song, according to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
No Other Choice — a darkly comic thriller that examines moral compromise and social pressure through an ordinary man pushed to extremes — is among 15 non-English films shortlisted from submissions by 86 countries and regions, marking Korea’s sole entry in the international feature race at this stage.
The shortlist features a geographically diverse lineup, including Argentina’s Belén, Brazil’s The Secret Agent, France’s It Was Just an Accident, Germany’s Sound of Falling, India’s Homebound, Iraq’s The President’s Cake, Japan’s Kokuho, Jordan’s All That’s Left of You, Norway’s Sentimental Value, Palestine’s Palestine 36, Spain’s Sirât, Switzerland’s Late Shift, Taiwan’s Left-Handed Girl and Tunisia’s The Voice of Hind Rajab.
In the Original Song category, “Golden” advanced as one of 15 shortlisted tracks, selected from 65 eligible submissions. Featured in K-Pop Demon Hunters, the song blends K-pop production with an animated action narrative and has gained strong global traction. It has also earned a Grammy nomination, underscoring its crossover appeal beyond film and into the global music industry.
Earlier, No Other Choice earned three Golden Globe nominations, including Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Best Non-English Language Film and Best Actor for Lee Byung-hun. K-Pop Demon Hunters was also nominated at the Golden Globes for Best Animated Feature, Best Original Song and Box Office Achievement.
At the Critics Choice Awards, No Other Choice received nominations for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Foreign Language Film, while K-Pop Demon Hunters was shortlisted for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song for “Golden.”
Academy members will vote on nominations from Jan. 12 to Jan. 16, 2026, with the final list of nominees to be announced on Jan. 22. The 98th Academy Awards ceremony will take place on March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood and will be broadcast live on ABC.
While only five nominees will ultimately be selected in most categories, placement on the shortlist marks a critical milestone — keeping Korean cinema and pop culture firmly in the global awards conversation as the Oscars race enters its decisive phase.
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