By Eili Cordova
Coachella witnessed a night that will be etched in the history of Okay-pop and live music. Katseye’s presentation with the group Huntr/x of “KPop Demon Hunters” singing the 2026 Oscar-winning song, “Golden.”
While the venue’s speakers played the song “Golden” behind a dark curtain, The audience recognized the melody. When the lights came on, there were Yoonchae Jeong and Megan Skiendiel taking turns singing the first verses.
However, what came next blew up the sand. One by one, three figures emerged from the shadows: Ejae (Rumi), Audrey Nuna (Mira), and Rei Ami (Zoey).the talented artists behind the fictional group Huntr/x. Together, the eight voices harmonized “Golden” and it became one of the most talked about moments of the first day of the festival.
The great ovation
This was Katseye’s first performance without Manon Bannerman, who announced his temporary departure from the group in February. At the time, the agency stated: “After honest and thoughtful conversations, we inform you that Manon will be taking a temporary break from group activities to focus on her health and well-being. We fully support this decision. Katseye remains committed to supporting each other and the followers, who mean everything to us.”
The group’s followers had already had their first taste of the quintet’s new format a day before Coachella, when Katseye released the video clip for her single “Pinky Up”. But it was in the desert where Yoonchae, Lara Raj, Sophia, Daniela and Megan showed that the group’s energy is still intact.
Credit: Amy Harris/Invision/AP.
It is no coincidence that “Golden” was the song chosen for this historical moment. The song made history at the 2026 Oscars by becoming the first Okay-pop song to win the statuette for Best Usual Song.
During the award ceremony, Ejae said: “Thank you to the Academy for this incredible award. When I was little, they made fun of me for liking Okay-pop, but now everyone sings our song and the lyrics in Korean. I am very proud. And I realized that, just like the song, this award is not about success, but about perseverance.”
That same spirit shined brightly at Coachella, where Katseye and Huntr/x showed that Okay-pop is here to mark an era.
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